Moskvitch DM

The Moskvitch DM (also known as UMZ-412 or UZAM-412) was an automobile engine developed by Avtomobilny Zavod imeni Leninskogo Komsomola (Lenin Komsomol Automobile Factory, AZLK) under the Moskvitch brand, for the Moskvich 412.^[1]

Design of the 1,478 cc (90.2 cu in)^[2] DM began in response to the increasing power of Western Europe's competitors to the just-introduced Moskvitch 408.^[3] The existing engine's displacement could not be enlarged profitably, so the AZLK team, led by Igor Okunev, started with a clean sheet.^[4] It had a very stiff five-bearing crankshaft, and a very high-mounted camshaft (resembling the Hillman Avenger).^[5] Oknuev, drawing on his experience in motorcycles, saw he could eliminate pushrods and raise the top rev limit, to 5,800 from the earlier engine's 4750.^[6]

The cam was chain-driven, and the block, head, sump, rocker cover, intake manifold, and other parts were aluminum.^[7] It weighed only 146 kg (322 lb), just 6 kg (13 lb) more than the previous 1,360 cc (83 cu in), but produced 75 hp (56 kW; 76 PS).^[8] It had removable cylinder liners, with both the aluminum oil pump and distributor driven off the crankshaft.^[9]

Prototype engines were delivered in 1964.^[10] It was tested in racing in summer 1966, before entering full production, in a higher tuned state, producing 92 hp (69 kW; 93 PS), in the Moskvitch G4M racer.^[11]

It was produced by Ufa Motorniy Avtomobilny Zavod (Ufa Automobile Engine Factory, UZAM), and the first production engine was completed 15 March 1966.^[12] It was first used in the Moskvitch 412 in March 1967.^[13] It was also supplied to IZH, which also assembled the 412.^[14]

The planned 1975 Moskvitch 356 was to use an enlarged 1,799 cc (109.8 cu in) version of the DM, with twin Zenith carburetors, giving 103 hp (77 kW; 104 PS).^[15] None was built.^[16]

This was followed by the 1975 four door fastback Moskvitch C1 (Series One), with a 1,702 cc (103.9 cu in) version of the DM, offering 81 hp (60 kW; 82 PS).^[17] It inspired the Moskvitch C3, which was very similar but a five-door hatchback.^[18] The engine would have been fitted at an angle from the vertical (like the Chrysler slant six).^[19] Neither project reached production.^[20]

Notes

1. Thompson, Andy. Cars of the Soviet Union (Haynes Publishing, Somerset, UK, 2008), p.145 & 147.
2. Thompson, p.149.
3. Thompson, p.145 & 147.
4. Thompson, p.137.
5. Thompson, p.147.
6. Thompson, p.147.
7. Thompson, p.147.
8. Thompson, p.147.
9. Thompson, p.149.
10. Thompson, p.147.
11. Thompson, p.147.
12. Thompson, p.149.
13. Thompson, p.149.
14. Thompson, p.149.
15. Thompson, p.164.
16. Thompson, p.164.
17. Thompson, p.167.
18. Thompson, p.167.
19. Thompson, p.168.
20. Thompson, p.164.

Sources

• Thompson, Andy. Cars of the Soviet Union. Somerset, UK: Haynes Publishing, 2008.