Installation & Operation Manual
O-360 and IO-360 Series Engines
© March 2004 Superior Air Parts Inc. Chapter 1 • Engine Description
13
5. FEATURES AND OPERATING
MECHANISMS
Crankshaft - The crankshaft is made from
aerospace grade SAE 4340 Vacuum-Arc-Remelt
(V.A.R.) steel per AMS 6414. All bearing journal
surfaces are nitrided.
Connecting Rods - The connecting rods are
made from aerospace grade SAE 8740 forgings
per AMS 6325. They have replaceable bearing
inserts in the crankshaft ends and bronze
bushings in the piston ends. The bearing caps
on the crankshaft ends are retained by two bolts
with self locking nuts per cap. Caps are tongue
and groove type for improved alignment and
rigidity.
Camshaft - Valve Operating Mechanism - The
camshaft is located above and parallel to the
crankshaft. The camshaft actuates hydraulic
lifters that operate the valves through push rods
and valve rockers.
Crankcase - The crankcase is made from
aerospace grade AA C355-T71 stabilized
structural aluminum alloy per AMS 4214. The
assembly consists of two reinforced aluminum
alloy castings fastened together by means of
studs, bolts, and nuts. The main bearing bores
are machined for use with precision type main
bearing inserts.
Accessory Housing - The accessory housing is
made from an aluminum casting and is fastened
to the rear of the crankcase and the top rear of
the sump.
Oil Sump - The sump incorporates an oil drain
plug, oil suction screen, mounting pad for
carburetor or fuel injector, the intake riser, and
intake pipe connections.
Cylinders - Millennium
®
Cylinders are used
exclusively. These air-cooled cylinders are
manufactured by screwing and shrinking the two
major parts, head and barrel, together. The
heads are made from AMS 4220 aluminum alloy
casting material. All barrels are made from
forgings produced to AMS 6382 forging
specifications. They are internally choked and
honed to allow optimal operating conditions for
the rings and pistons at operating temperatures.
Pistons - The pistons are made from an
aluminum alloy. The piston pin is a full floating
type with a plug located in each end of the pin.
The piston is a 3-ring type with 2 compression
rings and 1 oil control ring.
Cooling System – Superior Vantage Engines
are designed to be air-cooled. Baffles are
provided to build up air pressure and force the
air between the cylinder fins. The air is
exhausted to the atmosphere through the rear of
the cowling.
Induction System - The distribution of the air to
each cylinder is through the center zone of the
induction system. This is integral with the oil
sump.
Fuel Systems
Carbureted - Superior Air Parts O-360 engines
are equipped with a float type carburetor The
MA-4-5 carburetors are of the single barrel float
type equipped with a manual mixture control and
an idle cut-off.
Fuel Injected - IO-360 series engines are
equipped with a direct cylinder injected RSA-5
fuel injector. The fuel injection system
schedules fuel flow in proportion to airflow. Fuel
vaporization takes place at the intake ports. The
RSA fuel injection system is based on the
principle of measuring airflow and using the air
pressure in a stem type regulator, converting the
air pressure into a fuel pressure. The fuel
pressure (fuel pressure differential), when
applied across the fuel metering section (jetting
system), makes fuel flow proportional to airflow.
Lubrication System - The full pressure wet
sump lubrication system is supplied by a gear
type pump. It is contained within the accessory
housing.
Priming System - A manual primer system is
provided on all engines using a carburetor. Fuel
injected engines do not require a manual
priming system, relying instead on the fuel
injectors for priming.
Ignition System - Dual ignition is furnished by
two Unison magnetos with two spark plugs per
cylinder. Each magneto is equipped with
impulse coupling for improved starting.
