Engine identification

[powers]

How does one tell an A-65-8F is in fact an A-65-8F? Of course, I mean without looking at the data plate.

[Captgrumps]

Look at the crankshaft. It is either tapered or has a hub flange. F means flange. The end the prop goes on.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

A-65's have curved intake elbows. C85, C90 and O-200's have a boss cast into them for primer lines/fuel injection.

-8 says it has Mags only. -12's have a starter and generator. -9's have a starter only.

"F" means it's a flanged Crank.

nkh

[Carl Prather]

I think you'll find most A- series without a starter and generator mounted in the back and most C-series engines have provisions for a starter and generator. This is not universally true but I think would resolve the initial differences for 9 out of ten engines. A wise mechanic, whose name will remain anonymous but I know will get a chuckle reading this, would also point out the the A series case have inset depressions where the bolts are go to mount the case halves together while the C-series have spine which reminds me of what mom does when pinches the crust on an apple pie. Lastly, my wizened friend points out that when you at the engine from the front, there are two ears that stick out on the upper of the "accessoried " versions and are ground flat otherwise.

Hope this helps.

[Carl Prather]

Great, I just answered another question! -F means a flanged shaft which looks the end of an axle shaft with holes. The other version is tapered and the crank diamter narrows noticeably towards it end.

[powers]

Thanks guys, that will help a lot. My project does not have any log books so I'm trying to verify all my components.
Nathon my engine does have primer lines. What does boss primer lines mean?

[Nathan K. Hammond]

I meant a boss or casting to attach primer lines. See on the elbow how it has the extra material with a flat spot? You can drill and tap that for either a primer line, or fuel injectors.

Thats the easy way for ME to identify an A-65 from the others.

nkh

[joea]

One other thing. I have seen Flanged style engines with taper cranks installed in them, and vice versa, so just because it came out of Continental with a flanged crankshaft does not mean that it has one now, but its a start.