Lycoming O-145
| O-145 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Preserved Lycoming O-145 | |
| Type | Piston aero-engine |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Lycoming Engines |
| First run | 1933 |
| Major applications | Piper J-3 Cub Piper J-5 Piper PA-15 Vagabond Aeronca Chief family |
| Produced | 1938-1949 |
| Developed into | Lycoming O-233 Lycoming O-235 |
The Lycoming O-145 is a family of small, low-horsepower, four-cylinder, air-cooled engines. It was Lycoming Engines' first horizontally opposed aircraft engine and was produced from 1938 until the late 1940s. The family includes the reduction-geared GO-145.[1][2][3] The O-145 received its Approved Type Certificate on 13 Jun 1938.
Design and development
The O-145 was produced in three major versions, the O-145-A rated at 55 hp (41 kW), the -B rated at 65 hp (48 kW), and -C rated at 75 hp (56 kW). The "B" model was the major production model, with the "A" and "C" produced in much smaller quantities.[1][2]
All models of the series had the same bore, stroke, and displacement, additional horsepower being generated by increasing compression ratio and maximum rpm. All use a Stromberg NA-S2 or NA-S2A or Marvel MA-2 or MA-2-A carburetor. The dual ignition versions use two Scintilla SF-4L, SN4LN-20 or -21, Superior SMA-4 or Edison-Splitdorf RMA-4 magnetos.[1][2]
The original O-145-A produced 55 hp (41 kW) at 2300 rpm, weighed 165.5 lb (75 kg), and featured single ignition. In an attempt to compete with the Continental A-65, Lycoming boosted the rpm and power output to 65 hp (48 kW) at 2550 rpm, and finally 75 hp (56 kW) at 3100 rpm. The O-145 had a hard time competing with the same horsepower Continentals due to its smaller displacement, which resulted in a steeper torque curve.[1][3]
The GO-145 is a geared model, introduced in 1938, that uses a 27:17 reduction ratio (1.59:1) gearbox to produce 75 hp (56 kW) at 3200 crankshaft rpm, giving 2013 propeller rpm. The engine employs a gearbox bolted to the front of the engine and the resulting engine weighs 193 lb (88 kg) without starter or generator. The GO-145 suffered from a poor reputation for reliability, because pilots mis-handled the engine, running it at too low a cruising rpm and causing gearbox wear as a result.[1][2][3][4]
The series' type certificate expired on 2 November 1950 and no O-145-B1 or -C1 or GO-145-C1s engines produced after 1 August 1941 and O-145-B2, -B3 or -C2, or GO-145-C2 or -C3s produced after 24 August 1949 are eligible for certification. The single ignition O-145-A series, O-145-B1, and -C1 are not covered by the original type certificate.[1]
Lycoming ended production of the O-145 and replaced it with the O-235 series.[3]
Variants
- O-145-A
- Four-cylinder, direct drive, 55 hp (41 kW), single ignition[2]
- O-145-A3
- Four-cylinder, direct drive, 55 hp (41 kW), single ignition, with starter and generator installed[3]
- O-145-B1
- Four-cylinder, direct drive, 65 hp (48 kW) at 2550 rpm, single ignition, 155 lb[1]
- O-145-B2
- Four-cylinder, direct drive, 65 hp (48 kW) at 2550 rpm, dual ignition, 166 lb[1]
- O-145-B3
- Four-cylinder, direct drive, 65 hp (48 kW) at 2550 rpm, dual ignition, 169 lb[1]
- O-145-C1
- Four-cylinder, direct drive, 75 hp (56 kW) at 3100 rpm, single ignition, 155 lb[1]
- O-145-C2
- Four-cylinder, direct drive, 75 hp (56 kW) at 3100 rpm, dual ignition, 166 lb[1]
- GO-145-C1
- Four-cylinder, reduction gearbox, 75 hp (56 kW) at 3200 rpm, single ignition, 182 lb[1]
- GO-145-C2
- Four-cylinder, reduction gearbox, 75 hp (56 kW) at 3200 rpm, dual ignition, 193 lb[1]
- GO-145-C3
- Four-cylinder, reduction gearbox, 75 hp (56 kW) at 3200 rpm, dual ignition, 195 lb[1]
Applications
- O-145
- Aeronca Chief 50L, 50LA, 65LA
- Aeronca Super Chief 65LB
- Aeronca Tandem 50TL, 60TL, 65TL
- Airdrome Fokker D-VIII
- Luscombe 8B
- Mooney Mite M-18L
- Piper J-3L Cub, most often the 65 hp version
- Piper J-4F Cub Coupe
- Piper PA-8 Skycycle
- Carlson Skycycle
- Piper PA-15 Vagabond
- Porterfield Collegiate LP-50, LP-55, LP-65
- Taylorcraft BL series (BL-50, BL-65, BL-12-65, etc.)
- Taylorcraft DL
- Taylorcraft Plus C
- GO-145
- Piper J-5B Cub Cruiser[3]
- Funk B75L[3]
- General Skyfarer[3]
- Rich Twin 1-X-2[3]
- Shirlen Big Cootie
- Stinson 10B Voyager
Specifications (GO-145-C2)
Data from Type Certificate 210[1]
General characteristics
- Type: Four-cylinder, reduction-geared engine
- Bore: 3.625 in (92 mm)
- Stroke: 3.500 in (89 mm)
- Displacement: 144.5 in³ (2.4 L)
- Dry weight: 193 lb (87.5 kg)
Components
- Fuel system: Stromberg NA-S2 or NA-S2A or Marvel MA-2 or MA-2-A carburetor
- Fuel type: minimum 73 octane
- Cooling system: air-cooled
Performance
- Power output: 75 hp at 3200 rpm (56 kW)
- Specific power: 0.52 hp/in³ (23.3 kW/L)
- Compression ratio: 6.5:1
- Power-to-weight ratio: 0.39 hp/lb (0.64 kW/kg)
See also
Comparable engines
Related lists
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Federal Aviation Administration (August 1949). "Approved Type Certificate 210". Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ a b c d e Christy, Joe: Engines for Homebuilt Aircraft & Ultralights, pages 64-65 TAB Books, 1983. ISBN 0-8306-2347-7
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Boggs, Jerry (n.d.). "Super KR-1". Retrieved 2008-12-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Rotor & Wing (January 2005). "Lycoming Engines". Archived from the original on 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2008-12-21.