- Continental A-40
-
A-40 
Preserved Continental A-40 Type Piston aero-engine National origin United States Manufacturer Teledyne Continental Motors First run 1931 Major applications Taylor E-2 Cub
Piper J-2 CubThe Continental A-40 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]
Contents
Design and development
The 37 hp (28 kW) A-40 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 40 hp (30 kW). The engine later inspired the A-50 and subsequent engines.[1][2][4]
The A-40 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
- A-40
- Single ignition, 37 hp (28 kW) at 2550 rpm, dry weight 144 lb (65 kg)[2]
- A-40-2
- Single ignition, 37 hp (28 kW) at 2550 rpm, dry weight 144 lb (65 kg)[2]
- A-40-3
- Single ignition, 37 hp (28 kW) at 2550 rpm, dry weight 144 lb (65 kg)[2] Featured cadmium-nickel connecting rod bearings.[5]
- A-40-4
- Single ignition, 40 hp (30 kW) at 2575 rpm, dry weight 144 lb (65 kg)[2], Steel backed connecting rod inserts
- A-40-5
- Dual ignition, 40 hp (30 kW) at 2575 rpm, dry weight 156 lb (71 kg)[3]
Applications
Taylor E-2 Cub showing its A-40 engine with the cylinders protruding through the cowling, Canada Aviation Museum.
- Aeronca KC[6]
- Piper J-2 Cub[1]
- Piper J-3 Cub[7][8]
- Porterfield Collegiate[6]
- Rose Parakeet[6]
- Taylor E-2 Cub[1]
- Taylorcraft A[6]
- Welch OW-5M[9]
Engines on display
Specifications (A-40-4)
Reference: Type Certificate Data Sheet 72[2]
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 in³ (1.9 L)
- Dry weight: 144 lb (65 kg)
Components
- Valvetrain: One intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder
- Fuel system: CMC Stromberg NA-82 carburetor
- Fuel type: minimum 73 octane
- Cooling system: Air-cooled
Performance
- Power output: 40 hp (30 kW) at 2,575 rpm
- Specific power: 0.35 hp/in³ (15.3 kW/L)
- Compression ratio: 5.2:1
- Power-to-weight ratio: 0.28 hp/lb (0.45 kW/kg)
See also
- Related lists
References
- ^ a b c d e "Continental A-40". Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. http://www.oldrhinebeck.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11:continental-a-40&Itemid=107. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Federal Aviation Administration (November 1941). "Approved Type Certificate 72" (PDF). http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/863079dd42d31bae862572c0006f84b4/$FILE/ATTIND6V/ATC72.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
- ^ a b c d Federal Aviation Administration (November 1941). "Approved Type Certificate 174" (PDF). http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/0f433c2af25d6afe8525670e0043ac3c/$FILE/ATT9ESQ6/ATC174.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
- ^ Christy, Joe: Engines for Homebuilt Aircraft & Ultralights, pages 8-9. TAB Books, 1983. ISBN 0-8306-2347-7
- ^ Sport Aviation. December 1959.
- ^ a b c d Wooden props (2008). "Fahlin Propellers". http://www.modernwoodenpropellers.com/fahlin.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
- ^ "ATC 660 data sheet" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/9ae985fe2a4d8847862572c9006eda41/$FILE/ATTQ7W2D/ATC660.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
- ^ "Aircraft Specification No. A-691" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/f323caa28762f4c486257209007258d4/$FILE/A-691.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
- ^ "TC 637 data sheet" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/c5212f553b7d781585256738005b6aa4/$FILE/ATT1FXKA/TC637.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
External links
- E-2 "Cub" Powerplant Instl - Holcomb's Aerodrome. The A-40, as installed in the Taylor E-2 Cub.
Continental Motors aircraft engines Opposed piston engines By company horsepower designation
A40 · A50 · A65 · A75 · A80 · C75 · C85 · C90 · C115 · C125 · C140 · C145 · E165 · E185 · E225 · Tiara series
By displacement
O-170 · O-190 · O-200 · O-205 · O-240 · O-280 · O-300 · IO-346 · IO-360 · IO-368 · O-470 · O-520 · IO-550
Aircraft diesel engines
Continental TD-300Radial engines and Inverted-V engines Turboprops TP-500
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- Aircraft piston engines 1930-1939
- Continental aircraft engines
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