text: what is the difference between cycles and strokes of an internal combustion engine?   i think you read about a 6 cylnder  4stroke eng.you can`t have 6 cycles the eng will not run no way possible.you can have a 2cycle eng  when everything happens in 2 strokes (1) intake and compression.(2) power and exhaust.on a 4cycle eng it`s (1)intake (2) compression (3)power or ingition (4) exhaust