In the long period of time, the bottom-mounted camshaft in an internal combustion engine is most common. Typically such engines, the valve is located in the top of the engine, i.e. the so-called the OHV (OverHeadValve, OHV) engines. Usually camshaft located on the side of the crankcase, through the gas distribution agencies (such as tappet, push rod, rocker, etc.) valve control. Bottom-mounted camshaft general also called side-mounted camshaft. Far distance valve, and each cylinder is usually only two valves in such an engine camshaft, so the speed is usually slower, ride comfort is poor, the output power is also relatively low. However, the engine output torque and low-speed performance of this structure is relatively good, relatively simple structure and easy maintenance.
    Now most of the production car's engine is equipped with overhead camshaft. The overhead camshafts structure closer to the camshaft valve, to reduce the kinetic energy of the waste caused by the bottom-mounted camshaft due to the larger distance between the camshaft and the valve shuttle. Overhead camshaft of the engine valve opening and closing action is relatively rapid, and hence higher speed, and the smooth running is also better. The engine of the the overhead camshafts structure appeared earlier the SOHC (SingleOverHeadCam, overhead single camshaft) engine. This engine is only installed at the top of a camshaft, and therefore generally only two to three valves of each cylinder (the intake air a to two exhaust), the high-speed performance has been limited. Technology updates DOHC (DoubleOverHeadCam, double overhead camshaft) engine, this engine with a two camshafts per cylinder can be installed four to five valves (intake two to three, Pai gas two), high-speed performance significantly improved, but at the same time the low-speed performance will be affected to some degree, the structure will be complicated and difficult to repair.