What are the advantages of an OHV engine versus its L-Head counterpart?

Last time we discussed the mechanical difference between OHV and L-Head engines.  Today we will discuss the advantages of the OHV engine when compared to its L-Head counterpart.

So what are the advantages of OHV engines versus L-Head engines? OHV engines are alleged to have the following benefits:

• Higher quality engine (better grade components),
  
• Higher torque,
• Better fuel effiency,
• Quieter operation,
• Cooler operation,
• Cleaner operation,
  
• Longer engine life,
• With the final result of requiring fewer major repairs than their L-Head counterparts,
• And allegedly, less expensive to operate.
  

Disadvantages of OHV versus its L-Head counterpart:

• Not as compact (bigger external size),
• More complex,
• More components (this can also mean there are more components to fail),
  
• Due to their complexity, typically are more expensive to purchase,
  

Summary: The advantages of OHV far outweigh its disadvantages.  When purchasing engines, and given the the option to purchase one with OHV or and L-Head engine, it is easily worth the extra initial cost to purchase the OHV rather than the L-Head engine.

Next: Next time we will discuss what "OHC" means.  Stay tuned while we rev our engines!