i wonder if the R&D department of cummins has looked into offset cylinder construction????

http://www.insightcentral.net/encycl.../enoffset.html

Offset Cylinder Construction

The engine block has a unique, offset cylinder design in which the bore center is offset 14mm from the crank center. Maximum combustion pressure occurs at a point where the connecting rod is straight up and down in the cylinder. In this position there is zero lateral force so friction and piston slap are reduced.


As a result of the offset construction, the combustion pressure is used more efficiently since the rod is near it maximum leverage point with the crankshaft.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007....html#comments

 

Just by looking at the diagram, the rod would still be moving upward during peak combustion with the 14mm offset.
Would also have to travel more distance to reach TDC of the crankshaft.
Plus the offset would mean a smaller rod to clear the bore for the length of stroke.
Don't see any advantage to it.

Brad

 

To much for my little brain to compute