Kawasaki 440

Last updated
Kawasaki 440
Type Two-cylinder two-stroke engine
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Produced until the early 1980s

The Kawasaki 440, also called the T/A 440, is a Japanese twin-cylinder, in-line, two-stroke engine that was designed for snowmobiles and produced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries until the early 1980s. [1]

Japan Constitutional monarchy in East Asia

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies off the eastern coast of the Asian continent and stretches from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea in the south.

Straight engine engine configuration

The straight or inline engine is an internal-combustion engine with all cylinders aligned in one row and having no offset. Usually found in four, six and eight cylinder configurations, they have been used in automobiles, locomotives and aircraft, although the term in-line has a broader meaning when applied to aircraft engines, see Inline engine (aviation).

Snowmobile land vehicle designed for winter travel on snow

A snowmobile, also known as a motor sled, motor sledge, skimobile, snowscooter, or snowmachine, is a motorized vehicle designed for winter travel and recreation on snow. It is designed to be operated on snow and ice and does not require a road or trail, but most are driven on open terrain or trails. Snowmobiling is a sport that many people have taken on as a serious hobby.

Contents

The engine was widely adapted for other purposes, including ultralight aircraft and Formula 500 automobile racing. Kawasaki did not condone or support the use of the engine in aircraft and it was largely supplanted in this role by the similar purpose-designed Rotax 377 aircraft engine. [1]

Formula 500

Formula 500 (F500) is a Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs (MCSCC) open wheel road racing class.

The Rotax 377 is a 35 hp (26 kW), twin-cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, that was built by BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG of Austria for use in ultralight aircraft.

Design and development

The engine has two cylinders in an in-line configuration. The single ignition system uses a coil and points. Fuel is metered by a Mikuni 34 mm slide-type carburetor. Starting is by a recoil starter system with electric start as an option. [1]

Mikuni (company)

Mikuni Corporation is a Japanese carburetor manufacturing company. Their business activities is focused on carburetors, fuel injectors and other automobile and motorcycle related equipment.

Carburetor device that mixes air and fuel for internal combustion engines

A carburetor or carburettor is a device that mixes air and fuel for internal combustion engines in the proper air–fuel ratio for combustion. It is sometimes colloquially shortened to carb in the UK and North America or carby in Australia. To carburate or carburet means to mix the air and fuel or to equip with a carburetor for that purpose.

In its aircraft applications the 440 uses an aftermarket reduction drive system to reduce the maximum 5000 rpm to a speed more manageable for propeller use. [1]

Applications

Aircraft

The Acrolite is a family of Canadian amateur-built aircraft, designed by Ron Wilson and produced by Acrolite Aircraft of Kakabeka Falls, Ontario, in the form of plans for amateur construction.

The Bell Sidewinder is an American ultralight aircraft, supplied as a kit for amateur construction.

CGS Hawk

The CGS Hawk is a family of high wing, strut-braced, pusher configuration, single and two-seats-in-tandem ultralight aircraft, designed by Chuck Slusarczyk and manufactured by CGS Aviation.

Automotive

Specifications (440)

Data from Cliche [1]

General characteristics

Components

  • Valvetrain: piston ported
  • Fuel system: Mikuni 34 mm slide-type carburetor
  • Oil system: premixed oil and fuel
  • Cooling system: air cooled
  • Reduction gear: aftermarket reduction drive for aircraft use
Valvetrain mechanical system that controls operation of the valves in an internal combustion engine

A valvetrain or valve train is a mechanical system that controls operation of the valves in an internal combustion engine, whereby a sequence of components transmits motion throughout the assembly.

Propeller speed reduction unit

A propeller speed reduction unit is a gearbox or a belt and pulley device used to reduce the output revolutions per minute (rpm) from the higher input rpm of the powerplant. This allows the use of small displacement internal combustion automotive engines to turn aircraft propellers within an efficient speed range.

Performance

  • Power output: 38 hp (28 kW) at 5000 rpm

See also

Related development

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The Kawasaki 340 is a Japanese twin-cylinder, in-line, two-stroke engine that was designed for snowmobiles and produced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries until the early 1980s. The engine was available in air-cooled and liquid-cooled versions.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page G-5 Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN   0-9680628-1-4
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