An internal combustion engine according to the invention comprises at least two engine blocks which are coupled to one another and each of which includes at least two cylinders, each cylinder being connected to a common drive shaft via a transmission and a clutch. If there is a problem with one engine block, same can be disconnected from the drive shaft so that the engine can continue to operate by means of the other engine block.

An internal combustion engine has a crankcase having a first crankcase portion fastened to a second crankcase portion along a first plane, a crankshaft, a cylinder block defining two cylinders, two pistons, and a cylinder head. A crankshaft support defines a crankshaft support aperture. A central portion of the crankshaft is received in the crankshaft support aperture. At least one fastener fastens the crankshaft support to the cylinder block. The at least one fastener is perpendicular to a crankshaft axis and is disposed in a second plane. The crankshaft axis is normal to the first plane. The second plane is one of coplanar with and parallel to the first plane.

An internal combustion engine has a crankcase having a first crankcase portion fastened to a second crankcase portion along a first plane, a crankshaft, a cylinder block defining two cylinders, two pistons, and a cylinder head. A crankshaft support defines a crankshaft support aperture. A central portion of the crankshaft is received in the crankshaft support aperture. At least one fastener fastens the crankshaft support to the cylinder block. The at least one fastener is perpendicular to a crankshaft axis and is disposed in a second plane. The crankshaft axis is normal to the first plane. The second plane is one of coplanar with and parallel to the first plane.