2V vs 4V

[Lovey]

G’day again,
I have searched with no joy, so taking the risk of getting smoked for asking a completely stupid, noob question, here goes.
Is there a way to tell, by only looking at an MG engine, whether it is 2V or 4V?
Thanks, and apologies,
Steve

[beetle]

The valve covers are a dead giveaway.

[Lovey]

My apologies again for my noobiness.  Is there something in particular about the valve covers that would give me a clue?
Thanks again,
Steve

[Old Jock]

Here's the Griso it also doesn't help that people refer to the engines as 2V, 4V & 8V (which is of course the whole engine) so when somebody states a 4V bike they could be referring to the whole engine or just one cylinder. What's normal for me is to refer to the number of valves on one cylinder but it's not universal

Griso 4V/Cylinder



Griso 2V/Cylinder



Looking at the 2V/Cylinder bikes the rocker covers follow the heritage being angular take for example the earlier 1100 Sport



Compare it with Guzzi's HiCam engine with 4V/Cylinder of the same period in the Daytona



Dunno if that helps or not

[Lovey]

Many thanks Old Jock, that's really helpful.
I was indeed referring to valves per cylinder, it makes sense to me to do that.
Thanks again,
Steve

[usedtobefast]

I have 3 Moto Guzzi's and have no idea how to tell number of valves by looking at valve covers.   

I just google it, like    "  2006 moto guzzi norge specs " and see what that says. 

Hard for me to keep it straight in my old brain ... when did the Griso/Stelvio/Norge get 4V per cylinder vs 2?   I don't know. 

[Huzo]

Here is an example of another 2 valve per cylinder rocker cover

[Kev m]

Don't focus on the valve cover.  If you see a sparkplug on the side of the head, it's got two valves.  If you don't, it's got four valves (because the plug is dead center over the piston).  Every Stelvio ever made has a four-valve head engine.

This almost works.... except that 1TB Smallblocks (Heron or Hemi) use a cap that hides the spark plug. So even though they are 2V, you can't "see" the plug.

[Old Jock]

Here is an example of another 2 valve per cylinder rocker cover

That rounded cover does make it look like a 4V/Cylinder but Daniel's advice holds good, guess the best advice is if a Big Block then look for the plug in the side and also do your homework on the particular model to establish the differences

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

This almost works.... except that 1TB Smallblocks (Heron or Hemi) use a cap that hides the spark plug. So even though they are 2V, you can't "see" the plug.

And the V85TT has a central sparkplug. But, I read Daniel's response to usedtobefast as referring to the Norge specifically.

[beetle]

The Cali 1400 has two plugs per cylinder..and is an 8V..and you can't see any plugs...


 

[Huzo]

Wyno had a 7V Griso for a short time...(very short)