Multi-cylinder engine and a method for alternatively producing multi-cylinder engines

A method for alternatively producing multi-cylinder engines wherein a longitudinal direction of a cylinder block (1) is deemed as a front and rear direction, and one of the longitudinal direction is regarded as a front end portion while the other, a rear end portion, on the assumption that an engine which comprises a water pump (10) arranged at the front end portion of the cylinder block (1) is an engine of front-end pump arrangement type and another engine which comprises the water pump (10) arranged at the rear end portion is an engine of rear-end pump arrangement type,

• the cylinder block (1) being used as a common part, when alternatively producing the engine of front-end pump arrangement type and the engine of rear-end pump arrangement type,
• the cylinder block (1) used as the common part being provided with a consecutive side water passage (3) oriented in the front and rear direction and passing by every cylinder wall (12), cooling water from a radiator being made to enter a cylinder jacket (4) laterally through the side water passage (3), the side water passage (3) having front and rear end portions formed with front and rear end openings (3a), (3b) which communicate the side water passage (3) with the water pump (10),
• in the case where the engine of front-end pump arrangement type is produced, the water pump (10) being arranged at the front end portion of the cylinder block (1), the front end opening (3a) of the side water passage (3) communicating the side water passage (3) with the water pump (10) and the rear end opening (3b) of the side water passage (3) being sealed,
• in the case where the engine of rear-end pump arrangement type is produced, the water pump (10) being arranged at the rear end portion of the cylinder block (1), the rear end opening (3b) of the side water passage (3) communicating the side water passage (3) with the water pump (10) and the front end opening (3a) of the side water passage (3) being sealed.