Continental O-200 - Design and Development

Design and Development

The C90 was introduced in 1947 as a follow-on to the A-65, which had been in production since 1939. Many of the designs powered by the C90 are upgraded variants of earlier A-65 powered designs, such as the Piper J-3 Cub and PA-11 Cub Special, Aeronca 7AC, and Luscombe 8A. The engine was developed from the earlier O-190 by increasing the stroke inch.

This engine family is considered to be dependable, according to both industry publications and the FAA.

In a cooperative venture, Rolls-Royce produced these same designs in England, under separate certification, with model designations beginning RR, e.g. the Rolls-Royce RR C90-12FH is the equivalent of the Continental C90-12FH; the Rolls-Royce versions are "directly interchangeable with the equivalent models manufactured by Continental." The Rolls-Royce O-200-A powers the Beagle B.121 Pup 100, the Bölkow BO 208 C Junior, the Avions Robin DR 220, and the Morane-Saulnier MS-880.

All versions of the C90 and O-200 are Four-stroke reciprocating engines and are all similar in size, displacement and weight. These engines are typically fitted with an updraft carburetor, though the C90-8FJ, -12FJ, and -14FJ are equipped with fuel injection systems. They utilize a redundant ignition system requiring no external power, driving two magnetos, each of which fires one spark plug per cylinder. Each cylinder has one intake valve and one exhaust valve, pushrod-activated.

Continental's recommended time between overhaul (TBO) for these engines is 1,800 hours of operation or 12 years in service, whichever is reached first. The standard certification for the C90 and O-200 specifies Avgas 80/87 as the minimum fuel grade. Both are eligible for operation on automobile gasoline on the basis of Supplemental Type Certificates.