The Lycoming O-480 is a family of six-cylinder, horizontally opposed fixed-wing aircraft engines of 479.6 cubic inch (7.86 l) displacement, made by Lycoming Engines. The engine is a six-cylinder version of the four-cylinder Lycoming O-320.
Design and development
O-480 series engines are installed on a number of different aircraft types. Their main competitive engines are the Continental IO-520 and IO-550 series.
All engines have an additional prefix preceding the 480 to indicate the specific configuration of the engine. Although the series is known as the "O-480", they're are the only geared engines in the series. There are also numerous engine suffixes, denoting different accessories such as different manufacturers' carburetors, or different magnetos.
GO-480Normally aspirated
Opposed engine, equipped with a
carburetor and
Gearbox at the front end of the crankshaft to drive the propeller at a lower RPM than the engine.
GSO-480Supercharger driven by the engine, gearbox to drive propeller, and equipped with a carburetor. Designated the
O-480-1 by the US military.
IGSO-480Supercharger driven by the engine, gearbox to drive propeller, with fuel
Injection. Designated the
O-480-3 by the US military.
IGO-480Gearbox to drive propeller, normally aspirated with fuel injection.
Aero Commander 560, 560A, 560E and 680, 680E and the pressurized 720 Alti-Cruiser.Aermacchi AM3CM (Bosbok)Beechcraft Twin BonanzaBeechcraft Queen AirDornier Do 27Helio CourierSoko J-20 KragujTemco 58Utva 66Data from FAA Type Certificate.
Type: Six-cylinder air-cooled geared supercharged horizontally opposed engineBore: 5.125 in (130 mm)Stroke: 3.875 in (98 mm)Displacement: 479.6 in³ (7.86 l)Dry weight: 498 lb dryValvetrain: Two overhead valves per cylinderSupercharger: 11.27:1 ratio, providing 48" Hg (1.6 atm / 8.8 psi) manifold pressure at sea level at maximum powerFuel type: 100 octane rating gasolineCooling system: Air-cooledReduction gear: 77:120 (.642:1)Power output: 340 hp at 3,400 rpm at sea levelCompression ratio: 7.3:1
