Abstract
Spark knock is defined. Reasons are advanced for the continuing need to prevent knock but the claim that loss of power and engine damage will necessarily occur when operating at low engine speeds under knocking conditions is challenged.
An outline is given of the types of gasolines that are available on the market for the car engine. The necessity to have available in engine development work reference fuels which broadly represent the possible alternatives that will be met in the market is shown. Suggestions are advanced for suitable reference fuels.
Test bed, road and vehicle dynamometer work for engine development related to gasoline knock is discussed. The effects of engine component temperatures, of carbon deposits and distributor drive lash is given. The use of octane requirement survey data to the designer is shown.
The importance of the minimum advance for best torque curve, the choice of an ignition advance curve and recommended ignition settings related to knock-free performance are discussed.
The place for aural methods and instruments for the detection of knock is given.
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