Despite the complexity of the modern engine, the fundamentals haven't changed since Grover Cleveland was in office. Pistons turn a crankshaft that eventually spins your car's wheels. Yawn.

A new free piston engine linear generator (FPEG) from Toyota Central in Maine is a case in point. The piston is called "free" because there is no crankshaft.

How to Remove Crankshaft on Toyota VVTi Engine Published: 6 Jan 2014, 17:02 UTC • By: Gabriel Brindusescu 1 photo ...

TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota’s American branch announced Wednesday that it is recalling approximately 283,200 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles to replace a possible faulty crankshaft pull… ...

The safety recall to replace the crankshaft pulley on the V-6 engine affects 283,200 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles in the U.S., the company said. Worldwide it covers 550,000 cars.