The Continental O-240 engine is a four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engine that was developed in the late 1960s for use in light aircraft by Continental Motors, Inc. The first O-240 was certified on 7 July 1971.
Design and development
The 130 hp (97 kW) O-240 was a new engine design derived from the six-cylinder Continental O-360 and introduced in 1971. It is generally similar in overall dimensions to the Continental O-200, but with a higher 8.5:1 compression ratio, designed to run on 100/130 avgas. The O-240 delivers 30% more power than the O-200 while it weighs only 12% more. It may be mounted in tractor or pusher configuration.
The O-240 was produced under license in the United Kingdom by Rolls-Royce Limited and was used to power the Reims Aviation-built Cessna 150s constructed in France under license. Rolls-Royce acquired the rights to the O-240, but not the IO-240 in 1977.
The fuel-injected IO-240-A and -B were introduced in 1993. The A and B versions differ only in the type of fuel injector used.
The IOF-240 is similar to the IO-240-B except that it employs an Aerosance FADEC system to control the ignition and fuel injection systems. The engine was not selected to power any production North American-manufactured aircraft until the Liberty XL2 entered production in 2006 powered by the IOF-240-B.
O-240-A
Dual ignition, 130 hp (97 kW) at 2800 rpm, dry weight 246 lb (112 kg) including starter and generator. Uses a Marvel-Schebler MA-3SPA IO 5067 carburetor. Certified 7 July 1971
IO-240-A
Dual ignition, 125 hp (93 kW) at 2800 rpm, dry weight 246 lb (112 kg), uses a TCM 639231A27 fuel injector
IO-240-B
Dual ignition, 125 hp (93 kW) at 2800 rpm, dry weight 246 lb (112 kg), uses a TCM 639231A34 fuel injector
IOF-240-B
Aerosance FADEC system controls the ignition and fuel injection systems, 125 hp (93 kW) at 2800 rpm, dry weight 255 lb (116 kg)
O-240
AESL Airtourer T3
Reims Cessna FRA150 ("A" meaning Aerobat)
Rutan Voyager (front engine)
Practavia Sprite (microlight)
Rollason Condor (D62C)
St Croix Pietenpol Aerial
Tri-R KIS TR-1
Warner Revolution II
IO-240
American Homebuilts John Doe
Diamond DA20-C1
Eagle Aircraft 150B
Rans S-16 Shekari
Roko Aero NG4
IOF-240-B
Issoire APM 40 Simba
Liberty XL2
Data from TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. E7SO
Type: "4-cylinder, air-cooled, naturally aspirated, horizontally opposed, fuel-injected, spark ignition, four-stroke, direct drive. The engine incorporates a full authority digital electronic control (FADEC) system to control the ignition and fuel injection functions."
Bore: 4.438 in (112.7 mm)
Stroke: 3.875 in (98.4 mm)
Displacement: 240 in³ (3.93 L)
Dry weight: 255 lb (116 kg)
Valvetrain: One intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder
Fuel system: Aerosance FADEC system
Fuel type: 100LL avgas
Cooling system: Air-cooled
Power output: 125 hp (93 kW) at 2,800 rpm
Specific power: 0.52 hp/in³ (23.66 kW/L)
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Power-to-weight ratio: 0.49 hp/lb (0.80 kW/kg)
