OHV engine design4-cylinder 8 valves OHV engine

OHV means OverHead Valve - an engine design where the camshaft is installed inside the engine block and valves are operated through lifters, pushrods and rocker arms (an OHV engine also known as "Pushrod" engine). Although an OHV design is a bit outdated, it has been successfully used for decades. An OHV engine is very simple, has more compact size and proven to be durable. Downsides: it's difficult to precisely control the valve timing at high rpm due to higher inertia caused by larger amount of valve train components (lifter-pushrod-rocker arm). Also it's very difficult to install more than 2 valves per cylinder or implement some latest technologies such as Variable Valve Timing - something that could be easily done in a DOHC engine.

4-cylinder 8 valves SOHC engine OHC or SOHC engine
OHC in general means OverHead Cam while SOHC means Single OverHead Cam. In the SOHC engine the camshaft is installed in the cylinder head and valves are operated either by the rocker arms or directly through the lifters (as in the picture). The advantage is that valves are operated almost directly by the camshaft - easy to achieve the perfect timing at high rpm. Also it's possible to install three or four valves per cylinder. The disadvantage - an OHC engine requires a timing belt or chain with related components - more complex and more expensive design.

DOHC or Twin cam engine
DOHC or Double OverHead Cam - the setup used in many today's cars. Since it's possible to install multiple valves per cylinder and place intake valves on the opposite side from exhaust vales, DOHC engine can "breath" better meaning that it can produce more horsepowers with smaller engine volume. Compare: The 3.5-liter V6 DOHC engine of 2003 Nissan Pathfinder has 240 h.p, similar to 245 h.p of the 5.9-liter V8 OHV engine of 2003 Dodge 4-cylinder 16 valves DOHC engine Durango. Pros: High efficiency, possible to install multiple valves per cylinder and adopt variable timing. Cons: More complex and more expensive design.

Notes:

arm –a thing resembling an arm in form or function, in particular; lever, rod,

belt –a reinforcing band, normally textile, fiberglass, or steel, which runs around the circumference of a tire and strengthens the tread area.

cam - a designed bump on a shaft or disc which causes a rocking motion in an adjacent part.

camshaft –a shaft with one or more cams attached to it, especially one operating the valves in an internal combustion engine.

car –a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people.

engine – a machine with moving parts that converts power into motion.

exhaust –waste gases or air expelled from an engine, turbine, or other machine in the course of its operation.