Continental A40

The {{convert|37|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} 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 {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. The engine later inspired the A-50 and subsequent engines.Christy, Joe: Engines for Homebuilt Aircraft & Ultralights, pages 8-9. TAB Books, 1983. {{ISBN|0-8306-2347-7}}

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.

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.

;A40

:Single ignition, {{convert|37|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 2550 rpm, dry weight {{convert|144|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}

;A40-2

:Single ignition, {{convert|37|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 2550 rpm, dry weight {{convert|144|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}

;A-40-3

:Single ignition, {{convert|37|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 2550 rpm, dry weight {{convert|144|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} Featured cadmium-nickel connecting rod bearings.{{cite journal|date=December 1959|title=Question & Answer Department|journal=Sport Aviation|pages=25}}

;A40-4

:Single ignition, {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 2575 rpm, dry weight {{convert|144|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, Steel backed connecting rod inserts

;A40-5

:Dual ignition, {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 2575 rpm, dry weight {{convert|156|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}

File:TaylorE-2CubC-GCGE.jpg showing its A-40 engine with the cylinders protruding through the cowling, Canada Aviation Museum.]]

• Aeronca KC{{cite web|url = http://www.modernwoodenpropellers.com/fahlin.htm|title = Fahlin Propellers|accessdate = 2008-12-13|last = Wooden props|authorlink = |year = 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131228205513/http://www.modernwoodenpropellers.com/fahlin.htm|archive-date = 2013-12-28|url-status = dead}}
• Arup S-2
• Heath Parasol LNA-40
• Nicholson Junior KN-2
• Piper J-3 Cub{{cite web|url = http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/9ae985fe2a4d8847862572c9006eda41/$FILE/ATTQ7W2D/ATC660.pdf|title = ATC 660 data sheet|accessdate = 2011-09-27|publisher = Federal Aviation Administration|archive-date = 2016-12-28|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161228120330/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/9ae985fe2a4d8847862572c9006eda41/$FILE/ATTQ7W2D/ATC660.pdf|url-status = dead}}{{cite web|url = http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/f323caa28762f4c486257209007258d4/$FILE/A-691.pdf|title = Aircraft Specification No. A-691|accessdate = 2011-09-27|publisher = Federal Aviation Administration|archive-date = 2009-11-04|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091104012234/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/f323caa28762f4c486257209007258d4/$FILE/A-691.pdf|url-status = dead}}
• Porterfield CP-40 Zephyr
• Rose Parakeet
• Taylor E-2 Cub
• Piper J-2 Cub
• Taylorcraft A
• Welch OW-5M{{cite web|url = http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/c5212f553b7d781585256738005b6aa4/$FILE/ATT1FXKA/TC637.pdf|title = TC 637 data sheet|accessdate = 2011-09-26|publisher = Federal Aviation Administration|archive-date = 2016-11-15|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161115150037/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/c5212f553b7d781585256738005b6aa4/$FILE/ATT1FXKA/TC637.pdf|url-status = dead}}

• Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

{{pistonspecs

|

|ref=Type Certificate Data Sheet 72, Jane's 1938{{cite book|title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938|year=1938|publisher=Sampson, Low & Martin company Limited|location=London}}

|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)

|length={{convert|27.9375|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}

|diameter=

|width={{convert|26.4375|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}

|height={{convert|20.4375|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}

|weight={{convert|154|lb|kg|abbr=on|1}} dry with carburrettor and magnetos

|valvetrain=One intake and one exhaust side-valve per cylinder with a flathead valve design.

|supercharger=

|turbocharger=

|fuelsystem=CMC Stromberg NA-82 carburetor

|fueltype= minimum 73 octane

|oilsystem=

|coolingsystem=Air-cooled

|power={{convert|40|hp|kW|abbr=on|0}} at 2,575 rpm

|specpower=0.35 hp/(cu in) (15.3 kW/L)

|compression=5.2:1

|fuelcon=

|specfuelcon=0.72 lb/(hp h) (0.439 kg/(kW h))

|oilcon=0.025 lb/(hp h) (0.0153 kg/(kW h))

|power/weight=0.28 hp/lb (0.45 kW/kg)

}}

{{aircontent

|see also=

|related=

|similar engines=

• Menasco M-50

|lists=

• List of aircraft engines

}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Continental A-40}}

• [http://www.airminded.net/e2/e2pplant.html E-2 "Cub" Powerplant Instl - Holcomb's Aerodrome]. The A-40, as installed in the Taylor E-2 Cub.
• [http://www.eaavintage.org/continental_a-40 90 Years of General Aviation Powered by the Continental A-40 Engine]

{{Continental aeroengines}}

Category:Boxer engines

Category:1930s aircraft piston engines

A-40