Design and Development
The O-320 family of engines includes the carbureted O-320, the fuel-injected IO-320, the inverted mount, fuel-injected AIO-320 and the aerobatic, fuel-injected AEIO-320 series. The LIO-320 is a series of two models identical to the same model IO-320, but with the crankshaft rotating in the opposite direction for use on twin-engined aircraft to eliminate the critical engine.
The first O-320 (with no suffix) was FAA certified on 28 July 1953 to CAR 13 effective 5 March 1952; this same engine was later re-designated, without change, as the O-320-A1A. The first IO-320 was certified on 10 April 1961, with the AIO-320 following on 23 June 1969 and the first aerobatic AEIO-320 on 12 April 1974. The LIO-320s were both certified on 28 August 1969.
The O-320 family of engines externally resembles the Lycoming O-235 and O-290 family from which they were derived. The O-320 shares the same 3.875 in (98 mm) stroke as the smaller engines, but produces more power with the bore increased to 5.125 in (130 mm). The design uses hydraulic tappets and incorporates the provisions for a hydraulically controlled propeller installation as well. The controllable pitch propeller models use a different crankshaft from those intended for fixed pitch propellers.
The O-320 uses a conventional wet sump system for lubrication. The main bearings, connecting rods, camshaft bearings, tappets and pushrods are all pressure lubricated, while the piston pins, cylinder walls and gears are all lubricated by spray. The oil system is pressurized by an accessory-drive mounted oil pump. A remotely mounted oil cooler is used, connected to the engine by flexible hoses.
The -A, -C and -E variants of carbureted O-320, but none of the high compression or fuel-injected versions, have available STCs that allow the use of automotive fuel as a replacement for more expensive avgas.
The factory retail price of the O-320 varies by model. In 2010 the retail price of an O-320-B1A purchased outright was USD$47,076
Read more about this topic: Lycoming O-320
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