Module-like constructed internal combustion engine

Modular internal combustion engine comprising an engine housing with a crankshaft drive having at least one reciprocating piston in a cylinder, which acts on a crankshaft by means of a connecting rod, and a variable-speed gear box connected to the crankshaft via a disengaging clutch, and a gearbox output train which connects to at least one drive shaft of a vehicle, wherein the internal combustion engine is provided with least one main module including the subassemblies engine housing, crankshaft drive, variable-speed gearbox, and gearbox output train, and at least one auxiliary module attachable to the main module, and wherein no mechanical connection between the variable-speed gearbox and the gearbox output train is provided within the main module but a rotational connection is facilitated by attaching a first auxiliary module to the main module.

Method for the production of engine housings for internal combustion engines with one or more cylinders, wherein all surfaces to be machined and all bores of the engine housing with n cylinders have the same position as a subset of all surfaces and bores of a similar engine housing with a higher number m>n of cylinders and that the engine housing with n cylinders is machined on a working station whose tools are configured and adjusted for the machining of the similar engine housing with the higher number m of cylinders.