Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Institute of Engineering and Technology
Lycoming and Continental Aircraft Reciprocating Engines Design
Perspective
Roland Paul DG. Principe
Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Engr. Rayn Mongaya
October 28, 2020
1
Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Institute of Engineering and Technology
Abstract
Lycoming Engines and Continental Aerospace Technologies are two of
the most known producers of reciprocating engines in the world. Nearly all
General Aviation (GA) single-engine pistons are motorized by either of the
two. Lycoming and Continental piston singles are mostly 4-cycle,
horizontally-opposed, gasoline-powered, air-cooled engines. But even
they share similarities in design, that does not mean that the two are
identical products. The O-360 series engines are four-cylinder, direct-
drive, horizontally opposed, air-cooled models. While the Continental 360
series is air-cooled, naturally aspirated, horizontally-opposed, 6-cylinder,
gasoline, fuel-injected, spark ignition, four stroke, direct drive, right
rotating, aircraft engine with manual engine controls for fixed wing aircraft.
It has a displacement of 360 cubic inches and a power of 195 to 220 hp.
Compared to Lycomings, Continentals cost more – even individual parts
that go with the engine. Even Continentals cost more, the Lycomings are
more reliable for they provide better valves.
2
Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Institute of Engineering and Technology
Lycoming and Continental Aircraft Reciprocating Engines Design
Perspective
Reciprocating engines use one or more pistons that convert
pressure into rotational motion. The reciprocating or the up-and-down
motion of the pistons are the ones responsible for translating the energy
(Afework et al., 2018).
Nearly all General Aviation (GA) single-engine pistons are
motorized by either Lycoming Engines or Continental Aerospace
Technologies. These manufacturers share many similarities in design, and
both are available with carburetors or fuel injection. Lycoming and
Continental piston singles are mostly 4-cycle, horizontally-opposed,
gasoline-powered, air-cooled engines. But even they share similarities in
design, that does not mean that these two are identical products
(Anonymous, 2014).
Lycoming started its company by creating sewing machines and
bicycles before transitioning to manufacturing powerplants for cars, tanks,
and airplanes. It is renowned for its horizontally opposed piston
powerplants, and also for building radial and turbine engines (Dye, 2020).
As of today, the most popular engine produced by the company is the 360
series. The company claims that the four-cylinder 360 engine combines
rugged reliability with smooth performance which can produce 145 to 210
3
Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Institute of Engineering and Technology
horsepower (hp). The certified 360 cubic inch engines from Lycoming
have been installed in thousands of aircraft. The O-360 series engines are
four-cylinder, direct-drive, horizontally opposed, air-cooled models. The
cylinders are of standard construction with heads made from an
aluminum-alloy casting and a fully machined combustion chamber.
Rocker-shaft bearing supports are cast integral with the head, along with
housings to form the rocker boxes. The internals of the cylinder barrels are
ground and honed to a specified finish and have deep integral cooling fins.
Fuel-injection systems are evident to the IO-360 and TIO-360. These fuel-
injection systems schedule fuel flow in proportion to airflow. Fuel
vaporization happens at the intake parts. A turbocharger is mounted as an
integral part of the TIO-360 series. Turbocharger provides constant air
density to the fuel injector inlet from sea level to critical altitude because of
its automatic waste-gate feature (Lycoming 360 Series, 2010).
4
Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Institute of Engineering and Technology
Figure 1. Lycoming 360 Series and Engine Labelling Legend
5
Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Institute of Engineering and Technology
Certified AvGas engines of the Continental Aerospace
Technologies has four series of AvGas engines. The engines range from
100 to 375 hp. The four AvGas engines are the 200 series, 360 series,
470 series, and the 500 series. The counterpart of the Lycoming 360
series is the Continental 360 series. The 360 family from Continental is
air-cooled, naturally aspirated, horizontally-opposed, 6-cylinder, gasoline,
fuel-injected, spark ignition, four stroke, direct drive, right rotating, aircraft
engine with manual engine controls for fixed wing aircraft. It has a
displacement of 360 cubic inches and a power of 195 to 220 hp
(Continental Aerospace Technologies, n.d.).
Figure 2. Continental 360 Series AvGas Engine
6
Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Institute of Engineering and Technology
The main differences in Continental and Lycoming are that the
Continentals build lightweight engines and four-cylinder O-200. Compared
to Lycomings, Continentals cost more – even individual parts that go with
the engine. Even Continentals cost more, the Lycomings are more reliable
for they provide better valves. In terms of numbering the cylinders,
Lycoming numbers it from front to back while, on the other hand,
Continental numbers it from back to front (Gujjari, 2015)
7
Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Institute of Engineering and Technology
References
Afework, B., Hanania, J., Stenhouse, K., & Donev, J. (2018, July 21).
Reciprocating Engine. Retrieved October 28, 2020, from
https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Reciprocating_engine
Continental 360 Series AvGas Engine. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2020,
from http://www.continental.aero/engines/300.aspx
Dye, P. (2020, February 11). Learning About Lycomings. Retrieved
October 28, 2020, from https://www.avweb.com/features/learning-
about-lycomings/
Gujjari, B. (2015, August 1). Bharat Raj Gujjari's Answer to "What is the
difference between Lycoming and Continental engines?" Retrieved
October 28, 2020, from https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-
between-Lycoming-and-Continental-engines
Lycoming 360 Series. (2010, November 26). Retrieved October 28, 2020,
from
https://web.archive.org/web/20101126094011/http://lycoming.com/engi
nes/series/pdfs/360ci Engine Insert.pdf
8
Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Institute of Engineering and Technology
What are the differences between Lycoming and Continental engine
designs? (2014, January 23). Retrieved October 28, 2020, from
https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/1256/what-are-the-
differences-between-lycoming-and-continental-engine-designs
