Continental O-170: Difference between revisions

A65/O-170
	Continental O-170 on display at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
Type	Piston aero-engine
Manufacturer	Continental Motors

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The Continental O-170 engine is the collective military designation for a family of small aircraft engines, known under the company designation of A50, A65, A75 and A80. The line was designed and built by Continental Motors commencing in the 1940s. It was employed as the powerplant for civil and military light aircraft.^[1]

The horizontally opposed, four-cylinder engines in this family are all identical in appearance, bore, stroke, dry weight, and piston displacement. All feature a bottom-mounted updraft carburetor fuel delivery system. The higher power variants differ only in compression ratio and maximum allowable rpm, plus minor modifications. The lower power versions are fully convertible to the higher rated versions.^[1]

Design and development

In all models of this family of engines the cylinder heads are of aluminum alloy, screwed and shrunk onto steel barrels. Spark plug inserts and intake valve seats are made from aluminum-bronze alloy, while the exhaust valve seats are steel. The engines all employ hydraulic tappets which operate in aluminum guides that are machined into the crankcase. The tappets are built from four parts, a cam follower body, cup, cylinder, and piston and operate with clearances of 0.03 in (1 mm) to 0.11 in (3 mm). The pushrods are steel and feature pressed-in ball ends.^[1]

Lubricating oil is delivered under pressure from the 4 US qt (3.79 L) oil sump to the drive bearings and the crankpins through the crankshaft. The cylinder walls and pistons are spray lubricated. Normal operating oil pressure is 35 psi, with minimum idle oil pressure 10 psi.^[1]

Variants

A50: 50 hp (37 kW), Compression ratio 5.4:1, max rpm 1,900, fuel consumption at cruise 3.8 US gph^[1]
A50-1
A50-2
A50-3
A50-4
A50-5
A50-6
A50-7
A65: 65 hp (48 kW), Compression ratio 6.3:1, max rpm 2,300, fuel consumption at cruise 4.4 US gph. The exhaust valves have stellite faces. The pistons have three rings, although some early production A65s had four piston rings.^[1]^[2]
A65-1
A65-2
A65-3
A65-4
A65-5
A65-6
A65-7
A65-8
A65-8F: A65-9:
A65-12
A75: 75 hp (56 kW), Compression ratio 6.3:1, max rpm 2,600, fuel consumption at cruise 4.8 US gph. The exhaust valves have stellite faces and the connecting rods have a 0.125 in (3 mm) hole drilled in the rod cap to improve lubrication. The pistons have three rings and smaller piston pins.^[1]^[2]
A75-1
A75-2
A75-3
A75-4
A75-5
A75-6
A75-14
A80: 80 hp (60 kW), Compression ratio 7.55:1, max rpm 2,700, fuel consumption at cruise 5.2 US gph. The connecting rods have a 0.125 in (3 mm) hole drilled in the rod cap to improve lubrication. The pistons have five rings and smaller piston pins.^[1]
A80-1
A80-2
A80-3
A80-4
A80-5
A80-6
A80-8
O-170: Military designation for the A50, A65, A75, A80 family of engines.
O-170-1
O-170-3
O-170-5
O-170-7

Applications

A50

A65

A Continental A65-8F installed in a Pietenpol Air Camper

A75

A80

Specifications (O-170-3 or A-65-8)

Data from Continental Aircraft Engine Operator's Manual^[2]

General characteristics

Type: 4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally opposed aircraft piston engine
Bore: 3.875 in (98 mm)
Stroke: 3.625 in (92 mm)
Displacement: 171 in³ (2.8 L)
Length: 31 in (787 mm)
Width: 31.5 in (800 mm)
Height: 29 5/16 in (745 mm)
Dry weight: 170 lb (77 kg)

Components

Valvetrain: One intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder, pushrod-actuated.
Fuel system: Updraft carburetor
Fuel type: 80/87 octane avgas
Oil system: Wet sump
Cooling system: Air-cooled

Performance

Power output: 65 hp (48 kW) at 2,300 rpm
Specific power: 0.38 hp/in³ (17.1 kW/L)
Compression ratio: 6.3:1
Fuel consumption: 4.4 US gal/hr
Oil consumption: maximum desirable 0.37 US quarts/hr
Power-to-weight ratio: 0.38 hp/lb (0.62 kW/kg)

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Christy (1983)
^ ^a ^b ^c Teledyne Continental Motors: Continental Aircraft Engine Operator's Manual, pages 4-5. Teledyne Continental Motors, FAA Approved December 1980. Continental Form No. X30012
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa Wooden props (2008). "Fahlin Propellers". Archived from the original on 2013-12-28. Retrieved 2008-12-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ Jackson (1974)
^ Plane & Pilot: 1978 Aircraft Directory, page 153. Werner & Werner, 1978. ISBN 0-918312-00-0

References

Christy, Joe: Engines for Homebuilt Aircraft & Ultralights, pages 43–52. TAB Books, 1983. ISBN 0-8306-2347-7
Donald, David (1995). American Warplanes of World War II. New York: Barnes & Noble Books. ISBN 0-7607-2274-9.
Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10014-X.
Instruction Manual Continental Models A50, A65, A75 and A80 Aircraft Engines. Muskegon, Michigan: Continental Motors Corporation. 1944.

[Christy-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Christy (1983)

[TCM1980-2] Teledyne Continental Motors: Continental Aircraft Engine Operator's Manual, pages 4-5. Teledyne Continental Motors, FAA Approved December 1980. Continental Form No. X30012

[Fahlin-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa Wooden props (2008). "Fahlin Propellers". Archived from the original on 2013-12-28. Retrieved 2008-12-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

[Jackson_(1974)-4] Jackson (1974)

[P&P-5] Plane & Pilot: 1978 Aircraft Directory, page 153. Werner & Werner, 1978. ISBN 0-918312-00-0

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 <!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
-{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
+{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
  |name=A65/O-170
  |image=Continental O-170-3.jpg
  |caption=Continental O-170 on display at the [[Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum]]
 }}{{Infobox Aircraft Engine
- |type=[[Piston]] [[aero-engine]]
+ |type=[[Piston]] [[aircraft engine|aero-engine]]
  |manufacturer=[[Teledyne Continental Motors|Continental Motors]]
  |first run=
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 The '''Continental O-170''' engine is the collective military designation for a family of small aircraft engines, known under the company designation of '''A50''', '''A65''', '''A75''' and '''A80'''. The line was designed and built by [[Teledyne Continental Motors|Continental Motors]] commencing in the 1940s. It was employed as the powerplant for civil and military light aircraft.<ref name="Christy">Christy (1983)</ref>
-The horizontally opposed, four-cylinder engines in this family are all identical in appearance, bore, stroke, dry weight and piston displacement. All feature a bottom-mounted updraft [[carburetor]] fuel delivery system. The higher power variants differ only in compression ratio and maximum allowable rpm, plus minor modifications. The lower power versions are fully convertible to the higher rated versions.<ref name="Christy" />
+The horizontally opposed, four-cylinder engines in this family are all identical in appearance, bore, stroke, dry weight, and piston displacement. All feature a bottom-mounted [[updraft carburetor]] fuel delivery system. The higher power variants differ only in compression ratio and maximum allowable rpm, plus minor modifications. The lower power versions are fully convertible to the higher rated versions.<ref name="Christy" />
 ==Design and development==
-In all models of this family of engines the cylinder heads are of [[aluminum]] alloy, screwed and shrunk onto [[steel]] barrels. [[Spark plug]] inserts and intake valve seats are made from aluminum-[[bronze]] alloy, while the exhaust valve seats are steel. The engines all employ hydraulic tappets which operate in aluminum guides that are machined into the [[crankcase]]. The tappets are built from four parts, a cam follower body, cup, cylinder and piston and operate with clearances of {{convert|0.03|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} to {{convert|0.11|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}. The [[pushrod]]s are steel and feature pressed-in ball ends.<ref name="Christy" />
+In all models of this family of engines the cylinder heads are of [[aluminum]] alloy, screwed and shrunk onto [[steel]] barrels. [[Spark plug]] inserts and intake valve seats are made from aluminum-[[bronze]] alloy, while the exhaust valve seats are steel. The engines all employ hydraulic tappets which operate in aluminum guides that are machined into the [[crankcase]]. The tappets are built from four parts, a cam follower body, cup, cylinder, and piston and operate with clearances of {{convert|0.03|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} to {{convert|0.11|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}. The [[pushrod]]s are steel and feature pressed-in ball ends.<ref name="Christy" />
-Lubricating oil is delivered under pressure from the {{convert|4|USqt|L|0|abbr=on}} oil sump to the drive bearings and the crankpins though the crankshaft. The cylinder walls and pistons are spray lubricated. Normal operating oil pressure is 35 psi, with minimum idle oil pressure 10 psi.<ref name="Christy" />
+Lubricating oil is delivered under pressure from the {{convert|4|USqt|L|2|abbr=on}} oil sump to the drive bearings and the crankpins through the crankshaft. The cylinder walls and pistons are spray lubricated. Normal operating oil pressure is 35 psi, with minimum idle oil pressure 10 psi.<ref name="Christy" />
 ==Variants==
+[[File:Air Zoo December 2019 130 (Continental A-50).jpg|thumb|A50 on display at the [[Air Zoo]]]]
 ;A50
 :{{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, Compression ratio 5.4:1, max rpm 1,900, fuel consumption at cruise 3.8 US gph<ref name="Christy" />
+;A50-1:
+;A50-2:
+;A50-3:
+;A50-4:
+;A50-5:
+;A50-6:
+;A50-7:
 ;A65
 :{{convert|65|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, Compression ratio 6.3:1, max rpm 2,300, fuel consumption at cruise 4.4 US gph. The exhaust valves have [[stellite]] faces. The pistons have three [[piston ring|rings]], although some early production A65s had four piston rings.<ref name="Christy" /><ref name="TCM1980">Teledyne Continental Motors: ''Continental Aircraft Engine Operator's Manual'', pages 4-5. Teledyne Continental Motors, FAA Approved December 1980. Continental Form No. X30012</ref>
-;A65-8F
+;A65-1:
+;A65-2:
+;A65-3:
+;A65-4:
+;A65-5:
+;A65-6:
+;A65-7:
+;A65-8:
+;A65-8F:
+:A65-9:
+;A65-12:
 ;A75
 :{{convert|75|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, Compression ratio 6.3:1, max rpm 2,600, fuel consumption at cruise 4.8 US gph. The exhaust valves have stellite faces and the connecting rods have a {{convert|0.125|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} hole drilled in the rod cap to improve lubrication. The pistons have three rings and smaller piston pins.<ref name="Christy" /><ref name="TCM1980" />
+;A75-1:
+;A75-2:
+;A75-3:
+;A75-4:
+;A75-5:
+;A75-6:
+;A75-14:
 ;A80
 :{{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, Compression ratio 7.55:1, max rpm 2,700, fuel consumption at cruise 5.2 US gph. The connecting rods have a {{convert|0.125|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} hole drilled in the rod cap to improve lubrication. The pistons have five rings and smaller piston pins.<ref name="Christy" />
+;A80-1:
+;A80-2:
+;A80-3:
+;A80-4:
+;A80-5:
+;A80-6:
+;A80-8:
 ;O-170
-:Military designation for the A55, A65, A75, A80 family of engines.
+:Military designation for the A50, A65, A75, A80 family of engines.
+;O-170-1:
+;O-170-3:
+;O-170-5:
+;O-170-7:
 ==Applications==
 ;A50
+*[[Aeronca KCA]]
-*[[Aeronca]] KCA, 50C, 50TC, S50C<ref name="Fahlin">{{cite web|url = http://www.modernwoodenpropellers.com/fahlin.htm|title = Fahlin Propellers|accessdate = 2008-12-13|last = Wooden props|authorlink = |year = 2008}}</ref>
+*[[Aeronca 50C]]
+*[[Aeronca 50TC]]
+*[[Aeronca S50C]]<ref name="Fahlin">{{cite web|url=http://www.modernwoodenpropellers.com/fahlin.htm |title=Fahlin Propellers |access-date=2008-12-13 |last=Wooden props |year=2008 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228205513/http://www.modernwoodenpropellers.com/fahlin.htm |archive-date=2013-12-28 }}</ref>
 *[[Luscombe 8]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
 *[[Piper J-3]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
@@ Line 44: / Line 82: @@
 *[[Porterfield Collegiate|Porterfield CP50]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
 *[[Porterfield Collegiate|Porterfield CP55]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
-*[[Taylorcraft B|Taylorcraft BC]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Taylorcraft BC]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
-*[[Taylorcraft B|Taylorcraft BCS]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Taylorcraft BCS]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
 ;A65
 [[File:ContinentalA65.JPG|thumb|A Continental A65-8F installed in a [[Pietenpol Air Camper]]]]
-*[[Aeronca 50 Chief|Aeronca S65C, S65CA]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Aeronca L-3]]
+*[[Aeronca S65C]]
+*[[Aeronca S65CA]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
-*[[Aeronca 50 Chief|Aeronca 65F, 65CA, New Chief]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Aeronca 65F]]
+*[[Aeronca 65CA]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
 *[[Aeronca Champion]]
 *[[Airdrome Fokker D-VIII]]
 *[[Bearhawk LSA]]
+*[[Cassutt Special]]
+*[[Christavia Mk I]]
 *[[Circa Reproductions Nieuport]]
 *[[Coupé-Aviation JC-01]]
+*[[Davis DA-2]]
-*[[ERCO Ercoupe|Ercoupe 415C]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Davis DA-5]]
+*[[Ercoupe 415C]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
 *[[E & P Special]]
 *[[Falconar F11 Sporty]]
@@ Line 62: / Line 107: @@
 *[[Fisher Dakota Hawk]]
 *[[Helmy Aerogypt]]<ref name='Jackson (1974)'>Jackson (1974)</ref>
+*[[Henderson Little Bear]]
 *[[Interstate Cadet|Interstate SIA Cadet]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
 *[[Jameson RJJ-1 Gipsy Hawk]]
+*[[Jodel D.11|Jodel D.112]]
-*[[Luscombe 8|Luscombe 8A]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Luscombe 8A]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Luscombe 10]]
 *[[Piper J-3]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
-*[[Piper J-4|Piper J-4A]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Piper J-4A]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
-*[[Porterfield Collegiate|Porterfield CP65]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Porterfield CP65]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
-*[[Commonwealth Skyranger|Rearwin Skyranger 165]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Rearwin Skyranger 165]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
-*[[Smith Miniplane]]<ref name="P&P">Plane & Pilot: ''1978 Aircraft Directory'', page 153. Werner & Werner, 1978. ISBN 0-918312-00-0</ref>
+*[[Smith Miniplane]]<ref name="P&P">Plane & Pilot: ''1978 Aircraft Directory'', page 153. Werner & Werner, 1978. {{ISBN|0-918312-00-0}}</ref>
+*[[Stolp SA-900 V-Star]]
-*[[Taylorcraft B|Taylorcraft BCS, BCS12, 65]]<ref name="Christy" /><ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Taylorcraft BCS]]
-*[[Taylorcraft B|Tayorcraft BC, BC1265, BCT]]<ref name="Christy" /><ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Taylorcraft BCS12]]
+*[[Taylorcraft 65]]<ref name="Christy" /><ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Tayorcraft BC]]
+*[[Taylorcraft BC1265]]
+*[[Taylorcraft BCT]]<ref name="Christy" /><ref name="Fahlin" />
 *[[Taylorcraft L-2]]
-*[[Taylorcraft Aircraft|Taylorcraft]] Tandem<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Taylorcraft Tandem]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
 *[[Turner T-40]]
+*[[Warner Revolution I]]
 *[[Wolf W-11 Boredom Fighter]]
 ;A75
 *[[Bearhawk LSA]]
-*[[Culver Cadet|Culver LCA]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Culver LCA]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Jodel D.11|Jodel D.121]]
-*[[Luscombe 8|Luscombe 8C, 8D]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Luscombe 8C]]
-*[[Piper J-4|Piper J-4E]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Luscombe 8D]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Piper J-4E]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
 *[[Piper J-5]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Piper J-5|Piper J-5A]]
-*[[Porterfield Collegiate|Porterfield 75C]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
-*[[Commonwealth Skyranger|Rearwin Skyranger 175]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Porterfield 75C]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
-*[[Stinson_Aircraft_Company#Model_105_Voyager.2FL-5_Sentinel|Stinson HW75]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Rearwin Skyranger 175]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
+*[[Stinson Voyager|Stinson Model 105 (HW-75)]]<ref name="Fahlin" />
-<!-- ==Engines on display== -->
+;A80
+*[[Harris Geodetic LW 108]]
+*[[Piper J-5|Piper J-5A-80]]
+*[[Shirlen Big Cootie]]
+*[[Stinson Voyager|Stinson Model 105 (HW-80)]]
+*[[Stinson Voyager|Stinson Model 10]]
+*[[Vought V-173]]
 ==Specifications (O-170-3 or A-65-8)==
@@ Line 135: / Line 199: @@
 <!-- For aircraft engine articles.  Engines that are of similar to this design: -->
 |similar engines=
+* [[Lycoming O-145]]
 <!-- See [[WP:Air/PC]] for more explanation of these fields. -->
@@ Line 144: / Line 209: @@
 ==References==
 {{commons category}}
-*Christy, Joe: ''Engines for Homebuilt Aircraft & Ultralights'', pages 43–52. TAB Books, 1983. ISBN 0-8306-2347-7
+*Christy, Joe: ''Engines for Homebuilt Aircraft & Ultralights'', pages 43–52. TAB Books, 1983. {{ISBN|0-8306-2347-7}}
 *{{cite book|author=Donald, David|title=American Warplanes of World War II|location=New York | publisher=Barnes & Noble Books|year=1995|isbn=0-7607-2274-9}}
-*{{cite book |last= Jackson|first= A.J.|authorlink= |coauthors= |title= British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3|year= 1974|publisher= Putnam|location= London|isbn=0-370-10014-X }}
+*{{cite book |last= Jackson|first= A.J.|title= British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3|year= 1974|publisher= Putnam|location= London|isbn=0-370-10014-X }}
+*{{cite book |title= Instruction Manual Continental Models A50, A65, A75 and A80 Aircraft Engines|year= 1944|publisher= Continental Motors Corporation|location= Muskegon, Michigan}}
 <!-- ==External links== -->
@@ Line 152: / Line 218: @@
 {{Continental aeroengines}}
 {{US military piston aeroengines}}
-{{Aviation lists}}
 [[Category:Boxer engines]]
-[[Category:Aircraft piston engines 1940–1949]]
+[[Category:1940s aircraft piston engines]]
 [[Category:Continental aircraft engines|O-170]]

v t e United States military piston aircraft engine designation system
H (four-bank H-configuration inline)	H-1640 XH-2240 XH-2470 XH-2600 XH-3130 XH-3730 H-4070
IV (inverted-V inline)	IV-1430 IV-2040 IV-2220
L (single-bank inline)	L-330 L-365 L-375 L-390 L-410 L-440 L-510 L-825
O (opposed)	O-15 O-40 O-45 O-90 O-100 O-145 O-150 O-170 O-175 O-180 O-190 O-200 (C) O-200 (F) O-205 O-235 O-290 O-300 O-335 O-360 (C) O-360 (L) O-405 O-425 O-435 O-470 O-480 O-520 O-540 (F) O-540 (L) O-550 O-580 O-805 O-1230
R (radial)	R-250 R-265 R-270 R-370 (LB) R-370 (K) R-420 R-440 R-500 R-540 (W) R-540 (K) R-545 R-550 R-600 R-670 R-680 R-720 R-755 R-760 R-790 R-830 R-915 R-975 DR-980 R-985 R-1044 R-1300 R-1340 R-1454 R-1510 R-1535 R-1640 R-1670 R-1690 R-1750 R-1820 R-1830 R-1860 R-2000 R-2060 R-2160 R-2180 R-2600 R-2800 R-3350 R-4090 R-4360 XR-7755
V (upright-V inline)	V-720 V-1150 V-1237 V-1400 V-1440 V-1460 V-1510 V-1560 V-1570 V-1650 (P) V-1710 V-1950 V-3420
V (inverted-V inline)	V-770 V-1650 (L)
VG (inverted-V inline)	VG-1410
W (three-bank W-configuration inline)	W-2779
See also: X-1800 US military gas turbine aeroengines Piston engine configurations