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Continental F162 Engine

The Continental F162 is a heavy-duty, inline 4-cylinder, four-stroke liquid-cooled industrial engine. Widely recognized under the "Red Seal" line, this power plant features a rugged cast-iron block design optimized for stationary industrial applications, agricultural equipment (such as Massey Harris and Silver King tractors), and classic pipeline welders like the Lincoln SA-200. Known for its simplistic mechanical architecture and high low-end torque resilience, it operates as a flathead configuration engineered for longevity, low vibration, and straightforward serviceability.

The engine utilizes a side-valve layout, universally known as an L-head configuration. Both the intake and exhaust valves are housed completely inside the engine cylinder block parallel to the bores, driven upward by a single gear-driven camshaft via adjustable mechanical tappets. Internal cylinder block dimensions are established with a standard cylinder bore diameter of 3.4375 inches (3-7/16") and a piston stroke of 4.375 inches (4-3/8"). This configuration delivers a total displacement volume of 162 cubic inches operating under a factory-specified baseline compression ratio of 6.0:1.

Fuel System: The induction system utilizes a down-draft or up-draft carbureted design drawing fuel via either an engine-mounted mechanical diaphragm pump or a baseline gravity-feed fuel tank arrangement. Air-fuel atomization is handled by industrial Zenith or Marvel-Schebler single-barrel carburetors equipped with adjustable low-speed idle needles and fixed or variable high-speed jets. Engine speed regulation under load fluctuations is strictly governed via an external, mechanical centrifugal flyweight governor gear-linked directly to the throttle shaft.

Engine component lubrication is managed by a full-pressure lubrication circuit. Pressure is developed via a positive-displacement gear pump or Gerotor oil pump located in the lower crankcase oil pan assembly. Oil is force-fed through drilled internal block galleries directly to the main bearings, connecting rod journals, and camshaft bearings, while timing gears are lubricated by direct spray or metered oil gallery ports. System maintenance requires a standard oil capacity of 4 to 5 quarts protected by a full-flow or bypass replaceable filter element.

Thermal management is achieved via a force-circulated liquid cooling system. A front-mounted, belt-driven centrifugal water pump continuously circulates coolant through integrated water jackets surrounding the cylinders and combustion chambers. A pellet-type thermostat restricts fluid movement during startup and begins opening at 180F (82C) to maintain a regular operating range of 180F to 200F (82C to 93C) under pressure cap regulation.

General Technical Data

Engine Specifications

Engine Model ............... Continental F162
Engine Type ............... 4-cycle inline 4-cylinder L-head liquid-cooled gasoline
Number of Cylinders ............... 4
Cylinder Arrangement ............... In-line
Engine Bore, in (mm) ............... 3.44 (87.3)
Engine Stroke, in (mm) ............... 4.38 (111.1)
Displacement, cu.in (L) ............... 162 (2.6)
Rated Engine Power, hp (kW) ............... 41.3-49.0 (30.8-36.5) at 2200 rpm
Rated Engine Speed, rpm ............... 1800-2400
Peak Torque ............... 123 lb-ft (167 Nm) at 1200 rpm
Idle Speed ............... 700-750 rpm
Operating Speed ............... 1800-2200 rpm
Compression Ratio ............... 6.5:1-6.8:1
Firing Order ............... 1-3-4-2
Cylinder Block Type ............... Cast iron
Cylinder Head Type ............... Cast iron
Lubrication System ............... Full-pressure
Oil Pump Type ............... Gear-driven
Oil Filter Type ............... Bypass cartridge element
Cooling System ............... Liquid-cooled
Water Pump Type ............... Belt-driven, centrifugal
Air Cleaner Type ............... Oil bath or dry element
Starting System ............... Electric Starter
Electrical System ............... 6V or 12V

Fuel System

Fuel Type ............... Gasoline or Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Carburetor Type ............... Updraft single barrel
Carburetor Model ............... Zenith 61 or Marvel Schebler TSX
Fuel Delivery Type ............... Mechanical diaphragm pump or gravity feed
Fuel Pump Pressure, psi (kPa) ............... 2.5-4.5 (17.2-31.0)
Governor Type ............... Mechanical flyweight, gear-driven
Governor Regulation, percent ............... 8-10
Choke Type ............... Manual or automatic
Intake Manifold Type ............... Individual porting, cast iron

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length, in (mm) ............... 29.5 (750)
Overall Width, in (mm) ............... 18.7 (475)
Overall Height, in (mm) ............... 27.3 (695)
Engine Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 415 (188)

Maintenance Data

Service Information

Compression Pressure, psi (kPa) ............... 115-120 (792.9-827.4)
Oil Pressure at Rated Speed, psi (kPa) ............... 30-45 (206.8-310.3)
Oil Pressure at Idle Speed, psi (kPa) ............... 7-10 (48.3-68.9)
Thermostat Opening Temperature, F (C) ............... 160-180 (71.1-82.2)
Thermostat Fully Open Temperature, F (C) ............... 185-202 (85.0-94.4)
Radiator Cap Pressure, psi (kPa) ............... 4-7 (27.6-48.3)
Fan Belt Deflection, in (mm) ............... 0.50-0.75 (12.7-19.1)
Spark Plug Type ............... Champion D16 or RD16
Spark Plug Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.025-0.032 (0.64-0.81)
Distributor Point Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.020-0.022 (0.51-0.56)
Ignition Timing ............... 4-5 deg BTDC
Intake Valve Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.012-0.014 (0.30-0.36)
Exhaust Valve Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.016-0.020 (0.41-0.51)

Engine Oil and Coolant

Engine Oil Type ............... SAE 20, SAE 30, 10W-30
API Service Classifications ................. MS or early
Engine Oil Capacity, qt (L) ............... 4.0-5.0 (3.8-4.7)
Cooling System Capacity, qt (L) ............... 10.0-12.0 (9.5-11.4)

Service Intervals

Change oil and filter ............... Every 150 hours
Replace fuel filters ............... Every 150 hours
Inspect air cleaner ............... Every 20 hours
Change air cleaner oil ............... Every 50 hours
Change coolant ............... Every 500 hours
Valve-lash adjustment ............... Every 300 hours
Distributor point inspection ............... Every 300 hours
Spark plug replacement ............... Every 500 hours
Compression test evaluation ............... Every 1000 hours
Belt tension verification ............... Every 100 hours
Governor linkage lubrication ............... Every 100 hours

Service Specifications

Cylinder Bore Diameter, Standard, in (mm) ............... 3.4375-3.4385 (87.313-87.338)
Cylinder Bore Out of Round, Max, in (mm) ............... 0.0020 (0.051)
Cylinder Bore Taper, Maximum, in (mm) ............... 0.0030 (0.076)
Crankshaft Main Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 2.248-2.249 (57.10-57.12)
Main Bearing Bore Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0033 (0.038-0.084)
Crankshaft End Play, in (mm) ............... 0.0040-0.0060 (0.102-0.152)
Connecting Rod Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.937-1.938 (49.20-49.23)
Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0027 (0.038-0.069)
Connecting Rod Side Play, in (mm) ............... 0.0050-0.0090 (0.127-0.229)
Piston Skirt Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0025-0.0035 (0.064-0.089)
Piston Pin Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.8751-0.8754 (22.228-22.235)
Piston Pin Bushing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0003-0.0007 (0.008-0.018)
Top Ring Groove Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0035 (0.051-0.089)
Second Ring Groove Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0030 (0.038-0.076)
Oil Ring Groove Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0010-0.0025 (0.025-0.064)
Top Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.007-0.017 (0.18-0.43)
Second Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.007-0.017 (0.18-0.43)
Oil Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.007-0.017 (0.18-0.43)
Intake Valve Head Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.44 (36.6)
Exhaust Valve Head Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.31 (33.3)
Valve Face Angle, deg ............... 45
Valve Seat Angle, deg ............... 45
Valve Guide Inside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3442-0.3452 (8.743-8.768)
Intake Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0032 (0.038-0.081)
Exhaust Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0025-0.0042 (0.064-0.107)
Intake Valve Stem Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3420-0.3427 (8.687-8.705)
Exhaust Valve Stem Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3410-0.3417 (8.661-8.679)
Valve Lifter Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.6215-0.6220 (15.786-15.799)
Valve Lifter Bore Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0005-0.0020 (0.013-0.051)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Front), in (mm) ............... 1.997-1.998 (50.72-50.75)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Center), in (mm) ............... 1.935-1.936 (49.15-49.17)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Rear), in (mm) ............... 1.247-1.248 (31.67-31.70)
Camshaft Bearing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0035 (0.038-0.089)
Camshaft End Play, in (mm) ............... 0.0030-0.0070 (0.076-0.178)
Crankshaft Gear Backlash Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0010-0.0030 (0.025-0.076)
Oil Pump Gear Backlash Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0050 (0.051-0.127)

Tightening Torques

Cylinder Head Fasteners (3/8" Size), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35-40 (47.5-54.2)
Cylinder Head Fasteners (7/16" Size), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 70-75 (94.9-101.7)
Cylinder Head Fasteners (1/2" Size), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 100-110 (135.6-149.1)
Main Bearing Cap Fasteners (7/16" Size), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 70-75 (94.9-101.7)
Main Bearing Cap Fasteners (1/2" Size), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 85-95 (115.2-128.8)
Main Bearing Cap Fasteners (9/16" Size), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 110-120 (149.1-162.7)
Connecting Rod Nut Fasteners (3/8" Size), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 40-45 (54.2-61.0)
Connecting Rod Nut Fasteners (7/16" Size), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 60-65 (81.3-88.1)
Flywheel to Crankshaft Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 55-60 (74.6-81.3)
Flywheel Housing Fasteners (3/8" Size), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35-40 (47.5-54.2)
Flywheel Housing Fasteners (7/16" Size), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 65-70 (88.1-94.9)
Oil Pan Drain Plug, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (33.9-40.7)
Oil Pan to Cylinder Block Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-20 (20.3-27.1)
Timing Gear Cover Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-20 (20.3-27.1)
Manifold Clamp Stud Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (33.9-40.7)
Spark Plug, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 32-38 (43.4-51.5)
Water Pump Mounting Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (33.9-40.7)
Rocker Arm Shaft Bracket Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (33.9-40.7)
Camshaft Thrust Plate Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-20 (20.3-27.1)
Crankshaft Pulley Nut Fastener, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 150-160 (203.4-216.9)
Governor Housing Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20-25 (27.1-33.9)
Fuel Pump Mounting Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-20 (20.3-27.1)
Distributor Clamp Fastener, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12-15 (16.3-20.3)
Oil Pump Assembly Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (33.9-40.7)
Cylinder Front Plate Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20-25 (27.1-33.9)
Valve Cover Plate Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 8-12 (10.8-16.3)
Water Outlet Elbow Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (33.9-40.7)

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• Continental Engines Specs
  
• Continental B427 Specs
  
• Continental F124 Specs
  
• Continental F135 Specs
  
• Continental F140 Specs
  
• Continental F163 Specs
  

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