This may be perhaps a stupid engine question, but I've heard these terms used a lot, and I was wondering if there were any difference between Straight-6, Inline-6, and Flat-6 engines, or are they all referring to the same setup?

 

Not sure if Im right, but others will follow up if im wrong I believe :-) I believe straight/inline-6 are the same thing, to where the motor is an overhead cam motor, with all the cylinders underneath inline, and the flat motor is a motor with a crankshaft in the middle, and say if its a 6, then three of the cylinders will be on one side, and three will be on the other side, with their own head, laid out flat.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hondaS2001
Not sure if Im right, but others will follow up if im wrong I believe :-)

 

And just to complete the picture, lets not forget the V-6. Those are your three basic configurations.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hondaS2001
the flat motor is a motor with a crankshaft in the middle,