New England Air Museum
Continental A-65-8

 

Gift of Central Connecticut State University

The A-65-8 is a horizontally opposed, four-cylinder engine intended for use in light civilian and military aircraft. It was introduced in 1939 by Continental Motors Corp. of Muskegon, Michigan, with over 8,000 engines sold in the first two years. Thousands more were built after December 7, 1941 for the armed forces and was part of the military designation O-170 which also included the A-50, A-75 and A-80 variants.

Aircraft that used the A-65 include:

  • Aeronca S65C, S65CA, 65F, 65CA, New Chief, Champion
  • Airdrome Fokker D-VIII
  • Bearhawk LSA
  • Ercoupe 415C
  • Fisher Celebrity, Dakota Hawk
  • Hemly Aerogypt
  • Jameson RJJ-1 Gipsy Hawk
  • Piper J-3, J-4A
  • Rearwin Skyranger
  • Taylorcraft BC, BCS, BCS12, BCS1265, BCT, L-2, Tandem

The engine is located in the Civilian Hangar near the DC-3.

If you have any information, comments on, or recollections of the Continental A-65, or other variants, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Specifications
Type: 4-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally opposed piston engine
Displacement: 171 cu. in.
Valvetrain: One intake and one exhaust valve/cylinder, pushrod actuated
Dry Weight: 170 lbs.
Power Output: 65 hp at 2,300 rpm
Compression Ratio: 6.3:1
Power/Weight Ratio: 0.38 hp/lb
NEAM Id: 32

 

Engine Collection Index