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. [5]
The cam was chain-driven, and the block, head, sump, rocker cover, intake manifold, and other parts were aluminum. [5] 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). [5] It had removable cylinder liners, with both the aluminum oil pump and distributor driven off the crankshaft. [2]
Prototype engines were delivered in 1964. [5] 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. [5]
It was produced by Ufa Motorniy Avtomobilny Zavod (Ufa Automobile Engine Factory, UZAM), and the first production engine was completed 15 March 1966. [2] It was first used in the Moskvitch 412 in March 1967. [2] It was also supplied to IZH, which also assembled the 412. [2]
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). [6] None was built. [6]
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). [7] It inspired the Moskvitch C3, which was very similar but a five-door hatchback. [7] The engine would have been fitted at an angle from the vertical (like the Chrysler slant six). [8] Neither project reached production. [6]