An internal combustion engine and a method for producing it

An internal combustion engine is presented in which the engine block (1) comprises a first (7) and a second (8) engine block part, in contact with each other at a plane of contact (10), located at a distance from a crankshaft (2). An additional shaft (3), supporting a drive member (5) adapted to be driven by the crankshaft (2), is positioned in the plane of contact (10) between the first (7) and second (8) engine block part. A method for producing an internal combustion engine is also presented, comprising the steps of mounting a second engine block part (8) to a first engine block part (7), producing a bore (30) in the engine block (1) for a crankshaft (2) at a distance from a plane of contact (10) between the first (7) and second (8) engine block part, and producing a bore (31) for an additional shaft (3) in said plane of contact (10).