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Continental F163 Engine

The Continental F163 is a heavy-duty, 4-cylinder, inline, spark-ignition industrial engine. Part of Continental’s historic "F-Series" L-head (flathead) family, it is renowned for its low-revving durability and high torque at low RPMs. It serves as a classic powerplant commonly integrated into commercial industrial equipment, such as Lincoln SA-200 and SA-250 arc welders, towmotors, and material handling forklifts. The design utilizes a robust cast-iron block and cylinder head, prioritizing ease of service and exceptional operational longevity over weight reduction.

Valve Configuration: L-Head (Flathead) mechanism with side valves located entirely within the engine block rather than the head. Valve: 8 valves total (2 per cylinder: 1 intake, 1 exhaust). Valve Face Angles: 45 degrees. Rated Horsepower: Develops between 30 hp to 35 hp at an industrial operating speed of 1500 to 1800 RPM. Displacement: 162 cubic inches (frequently designated or rounded to 163 cu. in.). Bore (Cylinder Diameter): 3.4375 inches (87.31 mm). Stroke (Piston Travel): 4.3750 inches.

Fuel System: Naturally aspirated, gravity-fed or low-pressure mechanical fuel pump induction. Carburetion: Utilizes a heavy-duty updraft carburetor (commonly manufactured by Zenith or Marvel-Schebler) mounted beneath the integrated intake manifold. Manifold Porting: Equipped with proprietary "Individual Porting," meaning the intake manifold and cylinder block casting route isolated air-fuel channels directly to each respective cylinder intake valve. This prevents cylinder cross-contamination and balances fuel distribution for uniform power generation and smoother idling. Governor System: Integrates a mechanical flywheel or internal ball-type speed governor tied via linkage to the carburetor throttle shaft to auto-regulate engine RPM under varying auxiliary loads.

Lubrication System Type: Fully pressurized internal oil circulation driven by a gear-type internal oil pump. Oil Capacity: 4.5 U.S. quarts when changing the oil filter element. Operating Oil Pressure: 30 to 40 PSI under normal load, with a critical minimum safety threshold of 7 PSI at idle speed. Cooling System Type: Liquid-cooled loop matching a belt-driven water pump, radiator, and thermostat assembly. Cooling Flow: Features integrated "Directional Cooling", a design forcing fresh coolant straight from the water pump to pass over the hot exhaust valve seats first before moving toward lower-temperature zones of the engine block. Standard Operating Water Temperature: 178F to 205F.

General Technical Data

Engine Specifications

Engine Model ............... Continental F163
Engine Series ............... F-Head and L-Head Industrial Line
Engine Configuration ............... 4-Cycle Inline 4-Cylinder
Cylinder Arrangement ............... Vertical In-line
Number of Cylinders ............... 4
Fuel Requirement ............... Low-Lead Gasoline or Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Cooling Method ............... Liquid-Cooled Forced Circulation
Engine Bore, in (mm) ............... 3.4375 (87.31)
Engine Stroke, in (mm) ............... 4.3750 (111.13)
Displacement, cu.in (L) ............... 162 (2.66)
Brake Horsepower at 1200 rpm, hp (kW) ............... 24.5 (18.3)
Brake Horsepower at 1400 rpm, hp (kW) ............... 29.1 (21.7)
Brake Horsepower at 1500 rpm, hp (kW) ............... 32.6 (24.3)
Brake Horsepower at 1800 rpm, hp (kW) ............... 40.0 (29.8)
Brake Horsepower at 2000 rpm, hp (kW) ............... 44.5 (33.2)
Brake Horsepower at 2200 rpm, hp (kW) ............... 49.0 (36.5)
Peak Torque at 1200 rpm, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 121 (164)
Rated Engine Speed, rpm ............... 1500-1800
Max Governed Speed Limit, rpm ............... 2200
Idle Speed Settings, rpm ............... 600
Compression Ratio ............... 6.77:1
Firing Order ............... 1-3-4-2
Cylinder Block Material ............... High-Tensile Cast Iron Alloy
Cylinder Head Material ............... Close-Grained Cast Iron Alloy
Flywheel Housing Material ............... Cast Iron or Cast Aluminum
Crankcase Ventilation Type ............... Open Breather with Mesh Element
Number of Crankshaft Main Bearings ............... 3
Camshaft Construction Method ............... Drop Forged Steel Case-Hardened
Camshaft Drive Arrangement ............... Direct Helical Gear Train
Valves Per Cylinder ............... 2
Valve Train Configuration ............... L-Head Side Valve Placement
Lubrication System ............... Full Pressure Distribution Feed
Oil Filter Type ............... Full-Flow External Spin-on Cartridge
Oil Pump Configuration ............... Internal Positive Displacement Gear Style
Water Pump Drive ............... V-Belt Pulley Connected to Crankshaft
Air Intake Filtration ............... Heavy-Duty Liquid Oil Bath System
Spark Plug Type ............... Champion L14-U or equivalent
Starting System ............... Electric Solenoid Actuated Engagement
Electrical System, V ............... 12
Generator/Alternator Output, A ............... 35-55

Fuel System

Carburetor Brand Options ............... Marvel-Schebler, Zenith, or Walbro
Carburetor Induction Style ............... Updraft Internal Venturi
Carburetor Barrel Count ............... Single Barrel Configuration
Throttle Bore Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.25 (31.75)
Choke Bore Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.50 (38.10)
Main Jet Orifice Dimension, in (mm) ............... 0.048 (1.22)
Idling Jet Orifice Dimension, in (mm) ............... 0.028 (0.71)
Fuel Delivery Pressure Range, psi (bar) ............... 2.5-4.5 (0.17-0.31)
Fuel Pump Delivery Rate, gph (Lph) ............... 15 (56.8)
Governor Mechanical Assembly Brand ............... Hoof, Pierce, or King-Seeley
Governor Flyweight Style ............... Centrifugal Ball or Weight Configuration
Governor Speed Regulation Percentage ............... 3-5 Near-Constant Control
Intake Manifold Material ............... Cast Iron Single Chamber Uniform Flow
Exhaust Manifold Material ............... High-Heat Resistant Cast Iron Segmented
Fuel Tank Vent Type ............... Atmospheric Filtered Cap Component
LPG Liquid Withdrawal Valve Size, in (mm) ............... 0.25 (6.35)
LPG Vaporizer Regulator Brand ............... Impco Model J or equivalent

Dimensions and Weight

Length Overall, in (mm) ............... 29.4 (745)
Width Overall, in (mm) ............... 18.8 (480)
Height Overall, in (mm) ............... 27.6 (700)
Dry Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 415 (188)
Operating Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 465 (211)

Maintenance Data

Service Information

Compression Pressure at Cranking Speed, psi (bar) ............... 110-120 (7.58-8.27)
Oil Pressure at 1800 rpm (Rated Speed), psi (bar) ............... 30-45 (2.07-3.10)
Oil Pressure at 600 rpm (Low Idle), psi (bar) ............... 10-15 (0.69-1.03)
Thermostat Starts Opening Thermal Range, F (C) ............... 160 (71.1)
Thermostat Maximum Open Thermal Target, F (C) ............... 185 (85.0)
Distributor Contact Point Air Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.020 (0.51)
Spark Plug Electrode Air Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.025 (0.64)
Intake Valve Clearance, Cold, in (mm) ............... 0.012 (0.305)
Exhaust Valve Clearance, Cold, in (mm) ............... 0.012 (0.305)

Engine Oil and Coolant

Engine Oil Type ............... SAE 10W, 20W-50, 10W-30
API Service Classifications ................. SD or SE
Engine Oil Capacity with Filter, U.S. qts (L) ............... 4.50 (4.26)
Engine Oil Capacity, Dry Crankcase, U.S. qts (L) ............... 5.00 (4.73)
Cooling Jacket Capacity, U.S. qts (L) ............... 8.50 (8.04)

Service Intervals

Change oil and filter ............... Every 100 hours
Replace/clean 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 500 hours
Belt tension verification ............... Every 300 hours
Check ignition timing ............... Every 300 hours

Service Specifications

Cylinder Bore Max Wear Out-of-Round, in (mm) ............... 0.002 (0.051)
Cylinder Bore Max Wear Taper Limit, in (mm) ............... 0.003 (0.076)
Main Crankshaft Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 2.3744-2.3754 (60.310-60.335)
Main Crankshaft Bearing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0007-0.0028 (0.018-0.071)
Crankshaft Horizontal End Play Thrust, in (mm) ............... 0.002-0.006 (0.051-0.152)
Connecting Rod Crank Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 2.0619-2.0627 (52.372-52.393)
Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0006-0.0022 (0.015-0.056)
Connecting Rod Side Play Float Space, in (mm) ............... 0.005-0.010 (0.127-0.254)
Piston-to-Wall Skirt Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0030 (0.0762)
Piston Pin Outer Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.8591-0.8593 (21.821-21.826)
Piston Pin Hole Inner Bore Piston, in (mm) ............... 0.8594-0.8596 (21.829-21.834)
Piston Pin Clearance in Piston Boss, in (mm) ............... 0.0001-0.0003 (0.0025-0.0076)
Piston Pin Press Fit in Rod Bushing, in (mm) ............... 0.0003-0.0005 (0.0076-0.0127)
Top Ring Grooves Width, in (mm) ............... 0.126-0.127 (3.200-3.226)
Second Ring Grooves Width, in (mm) ............... 0.126-0.127 (3.200-3.226)
Oil Ring Groove Width, in (mm) ............... 0.188-0.189 (4.775-4.801)
Top Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.008-0.018 (0.203-0.457)
Second Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.008-0.018 (0.203-0.457)
Oil Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.010-0.030 (0.254-0.762)
Top Ring Groove Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0040 (0.0508-0.1016)
Second Ring Groove Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0025-0.0040 (0.0635-0.1016)
Oil Ring Groove Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0025-0.0075 (0.0635-0.1905)
Intake Valve Stem Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3400-0.3410 (8.636-8.661)
Exhaust Valve Stem Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3390-0.3400 (8.611-8.636)
Valve Guide Internal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3420-0.3430 (8.687-8.712)
Intake Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0010-0.0030 (0.0254-0.0762)
Exhaust Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0040 (0.0508-0.1016)
Valve Seat Angle, deg ............... 45
Valve Face Angle, deg ............... 45
Valve Spring Free Lenght, in (mm) ............... 2.187 (55.55)
Tappet Lifter Body Outside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.6215-0.6220 (15.786-15.799)
Tappet Lifter Guide Block Internal Bore, in (mm) ............... 0.6230-0.6240 (15.824-15.850)
Tappet Lifter Assembly Operating Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0010-0.0025 (0.0254-0.0635)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Front), in (mm) ............... 1.996-1.997 (50.698-50.724)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Center), in (mm) ............... 1.933-1.934 (49.098-49.124)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Rear), in (mm) ............... 1.246-1.247 (31.648-31.674)
Camshaft Bearing Running Fit Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.001-0.003 (0.025-0.076)
Camshaft Face End Thrust Play Space, in (mm) ............... 0.003-0.007 (0.076-0.178)

Tightening Torques

Cylinder Head Fasteners (3/8 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35-40 (47-54)
Cylinder Head Fasteners (7/16 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 70-75 (95-102)
Cylinder Head Fasteners (1/2 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 100-110 (136-149)
Connecting Rod Cap Retaining Nuts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 45-50 (61-68)
Main Bearing Saddle Cap Stud Bolts, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 85-95 (115-129)
Flywheel Coupling Stud Bolts (5/16 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20-25 (27-34)
Flywheel Coupling Stud Bolts (3/8 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35-40 (47-54)
Flywheel Coupling Stud Bolts (7/16 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 70-75 (95-102)
Flywheel Coupling Stud Bolts (1/2 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 85-95 (115-129)
Flywheel Coupling Stud Bolts (9/16 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 100-110 (136-149)
Flywheel Coupling Stud Bolts (5/8 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 145-155 (197-210)
Intake and Exhaust Manifold Copper Nuts (5/16 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-20 (20-27)
Intake and Exhaust Manifold Copper Nuts (3/8 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (34-41)
Intake and Exhaust Manifold Copper Nuts (7/16 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 40-50 (54-68)
Intake and Exhaust Manifold Copper Nuts (1/2 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 50-60 (68-81)
Front Cover and Water Pump Mount Bolts (5/16 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-20 (20-27)
Front Cover and Water Pump Mount Bolts (3/8 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (34-41)
Oil Pan Retaining Perimeter Screws (5/16 inch), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-20 (20-27)
Oil Pan Main Drain Well Plug, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (34-41)
Spark Plug Shell Base Engagement Hex, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (34-41)
Rocker Arm Cover or Lifter Plate Fasteners, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 8-12 (11-16)
Crankshaft Front Pulley Damper Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 100-110 (136-149)

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• Continental Engines Specs
  
• Continental B427 Specs
  
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• Continental F135 Specs
  
• Continental F140 Specs
  
• Continental F162 Specs
  

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