Continental IO-240
 

Anyone with experience of this engine? Some home builders are a bit shy of it saying it has a poor history with regards to mechanical problems. Thanks in advance.

We use a Rolls Royce Continental O240 which is normally aspirated on an Aerobat we look after, the main prob on those is the cr*p sprag clutch mechanism for the starter, though there is a not to cheap fix for that, have you asked on the PFA website too?

Hello,

must be a good engine, my flightschool has around 20-25 Diamond Elipse DA20-C1, equipped with Continental IO-240 engines. I will ask maintenance what they think about it if you want, basic specs are:

125 HP, 2800 RPM, naturally aspired, fuel injected, 4 stroke.

O-240 overhaul
 

NutLoose .. Are you able to secure overhaul parts kit for O-240 please?
.. Vince (Australia)

Looking through the RR overhaul manual we have I asked one of our suppliers today when ordering other parts and they although not having them in stock could verify the superceeded numbers and believed they would possibly be available, If you wish to send them a message with part numbers they may well be able to come up with something,

Adams Aviation Supply Co Ltd: Home Page

What Aircraft is it in? I also have the Reims parts list for bits pertaining to the Aerobat. seen this?

http://www.caa.co.uk/aandocs/18090/18090000000.pdf


Piper Uk might be a good source too as they took over CSE Ltd's stock and they were the main Agent for all things Continental in the UK
you can do an online seach of their stock see

Piper-UK


failing that I have partsbase on my PC so can do a worldwide search if you give me a number.

Rolls Royce no longer have anything left, the Car division at Crewe built the engines and when the Aero engine section split off it was all lost. I know because I have friends that work for them and they tried to get me some info I was after a while ago to no avail, The Aero Division is about 10 miles from here.
Indeed several years ago I had RR phone me up asking if I knew where they could get some manuals for their engines as they'd had enquires about one from South Africa.

The older RR ones are not the best engine around . Yes , the sprag clutch is a pain in the arse but I think there may be an option to change to a new lightweight pre-engaged type starter which I believe also fits the O-200 too . The cylinders have been known to crack ( and even come off ) around the cylinder head/barrel join !! The thing is the poor things get a hard life usually as they are normally fitted to FRA150 aerobats !

VK

Are the pistons, cylinders etc. same as the O-360 (C-337 etc.)?

Just to those who don't realise it, there are two engines being talked about here.

The Rolls Royce-Continental O-240 was 130hp and carburetted - found most commonly in Reims-Cessna FRA150Ls and Ms (F = French, R = RR O-240, A = Aerobat). They were also fitted in Rollason Condors.

The IO-240 is a 'modern' injected Continental engine found in the Katanas (Americans didn't accept the Rotax 912 powered examples) and more recently, the IO-240F (125hp) is found in the front of the Liberty XL (F = FADEC).

O-240 cranks are very rare. Best starter mod to get rid of the clutch is the B&C starter - not cheap but reliable and powerful enough to almost get airborne on....

Well B*gger me I always thought the R was for Reims the Manufacturer, you learn something everyday.......

NutLoose .. Thankyou very much for going to so much trouble in your response. You are right, it is in a 1973 Reims Cessna 150L Aerobat (FRA150-0174).
I'll try the steps you recommended. Once again, thankyou.
..Vince

We have one here but its not flown in a while, it has the modded starter and the sprag clutch from hell is no more, i take it you have the Rolls manual and also the Reims one?

Remember I have partsbase so if you get stuck pm me a part number and i will check it for you.