Continental A40
| A40 | |
|---|---|
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| Preserved Continental A40-5 (dual magneto, two spark plugs per cylinder) |
The Continental A40 engine is a carbureted four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engine that was developed especially for use in light aircraft by Continental Motors. It was produced between 1931 and 1941.[1][2][3]
Design and development
The Script error: No such module "convert". A40 was introduced in the depths of the Great Depression. At the time there were a number of small engines available but all suffered from either high cost, complexity, or low reliability. The A-40 addressed all those shortcomings and was instrumental in the production of light aircraft in the difficult economic constraints of the period. The A-40-4 introduced an increase in power to Script error: No such module "convert".. The engine later inspired the A-50 and subsequent engines.[1][2][4]
The A40 featured single ignition until the A-40-5 version, which introduced dual ignition. All engines in this family have a 5.2:1 compression ratio and were designed to run on fuel with a minimum octane rating of 73.[2][3]
The entire family of engines had its certification terminated on 1 November 1941. Engines produced before that date are still certified, but none can be produced after that date.[2][3]
Variants
- A40
- Single ignition, Script error: No such module "convert". at 2550 rpm, dry weight Script error: No such module "convert".[2]
- A40-2
- Single ignition, Script error: No such module "convert". at 2550 rpm, dry weight Script error: No such module "convert".[2]
- A-40-3
- Single ignition, Script error: No such module "convert". at 2550 rpm, dry weight Script error: No such module "convert".[2] Featured cadmium-nickel connecting rod bearings.[5]
- A40-4
- Single ignition, Script error: No such module "convert". at 2575 rpm, dry weight Script error: No such module "convert".,[2] Steel backed connecting rod inserts
- A40-5
- Dual ignition, Script error: No such module "convert". at 2575 rpm, dry weight Script error: No such module "convert".[3]
Applications
- Aeronca KC[6]
- Arup S-2
- Heath Parasol LNA-40
- Nicholson Junior KN-2
- Piper J-3 Cub[7][8]
- Porterfield CP-40 Zephyr[6]
- Rose Parakeet[6]
- Taylor E-2 Cub[1]
- Piper J-2 Cub[1]
- Taylorcraft A[6]
- Welch OW-5M[9]
Engines on display
Specifications (A40-5)
Data from Type Certificate Data Sheet 72,[2] Jane's 1938[10]
General characteristics
- Type: 4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally opposed aircraft piston engine
- Bore: 3.125 in (79.3 mm)
- Stroke: 3.75 in (95.3 mm)
- Displacement: 115 cu in (1.9 L)
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- Dry weight: Script error: No such module "convert". dry with carburrettor and magnetos
Components
- Valvetrain: One intake and one exhaust side-valve per cylinder with a flathead valve design.
- Fuel system: CMC Stromberg NA-82 carburetor
- Fuel type: minimum 73 octane
- Cooling system: Air-cooled
Performance
- Power output: Script error: No such module "convert". at 2,575 rpm
- Specific power: 0.35 hp/(cu in) (15.3 kW/L)
- Compression ratio: 5.2:1
- Specific fuel consumption: 0.72 lb/(hp h) (0.439 kg/(kW h))
- Oil consumption: 0.025 lb/(hp h) (0.0153 kg/(kW h))
- Power-to-weight ratio: 0.28 hp/lb (0.45 kW/kg)
See also
Comparable engines
Related lists
References
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- ↑ Christy, Joe: Engines for Homebuilt Aircraft & Ultralights, pages 8-9. TAB Books, 1983. Template:ISBN
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External links
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- E-2 "Cub" Powerplant Instl - Holcomb's Aerodrome. The A-40, as installed in the Taylor E-2 Cub.
- 90 Years of General Aviation Powered by the Continental A-40 Engine
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