How can you tell the difference between Dohc and Sohc?

Answer 1

look where your plugs are are they in the center of the head or off to the side look at the front of the engine does the timing belt go around 1 or2 pullies on the top

Answer 2

As already stated, SOHC - single overhead cam, DOHC - dual overhead cam. Because they are overhead - they are on top of the cylinder head. So while they are "internal" components, they truly change the shape of the valve cover.

With a single - it's narrow - less than the width of the cylinder head - with a dual - it's as wide as - or wider than the underlying cylinder head.

Usually with a DOHC - you will see what looks like a double valve cover over the cylinder head. If you can see the drive (belt or chain) - you will see two sprockets at the top of the head rather than one when you have an DOHC.

If you were to remove the cover (usually just a few simple short bolts) you would readily see one or two long shafts - the cams. It's easy to do, just make sure you don't mess up the gasket when you pry the cover off . Don't be afraid of this - it's not that big a deal - but there's oil misting around all over the place and the gasket is there to keep it in. But this gasket is not as critical as say - for the oil pan - where all the oil will drip out if you don't put it back perfectly. So pry off that cover - satisfy your curiosity.

Most engines that are DOHC are proud of that fact and have it on the valve covers somewhere.

Answer 3

It is not always easy to tell as the camshafts are internal components installed in the cylinder head. Sometimes, but not always it will be marked on the engine, usually on the valve cover. But lately the manufacturers like to hide the engine under a useless plastic cover so you may not be able to see the valve cover without doing some disassembling.

Check the owners manual. It will sometimes give some engine specification. Check with your favorite local auto parts store. Tell them the engine size and they can look up the information.

If you are mechanically inclined, you can remove the valve cover and count the camshafts. Be sure you purchase replacement gaskets. But then, you could ask the parts store how many camshafts when you go to purchase the gaskets, then you would already know and not need to remove the valve cover.

Answer 4

Open up the hood and see if there is one cam, or two.

One cam = SOHC (single over-head cam)
Two cams = DOHC (dual over-head cams)

Answer 5

click this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOHC#Single_overhead_camshaft