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Continental F244 Engine

The Continental F244 is a heavy-duty, industrial-grade 6-cylinder inline gasoline engine belonging to the iconic Red Seal "F-series" L-head family. Known for its flathead design, rugged cast-iron architecture, and exceptional high-torque output at low RPMs, this power plant was widely deployed across agricultural machinery, material handling equipment (such as heavy forklifts), stationary power units, and industrial air compressors.

Valve Configuration: Side-valve layout, universally designated as an L-Head (Flathead) design. Both intake and exhaust valves are integrated vertically into the engine block adjacent to the cylinders rather than residing in the cylinder head. High-load applications utilize specialized heavy-duty valve springs. Bore and Stroke: The cylinder bore measures exactly 3.43 inches (3-7/16 in), paired with a stroke length of 4.37 inches (4-3/8 in). Total engine displacement equals 244 cubic inches (CID).

Fuel System: Naturally aspirated configuration drawing fuel through a heavy-duty, single-barrel up-draft or down-draft mechanical carburetor paired with a velocity-type mechanical governor to control engine speed under variable industrial loads. Air intake filtration is handled via a heavy oil-bath or dry-element air cleaner system. The fuel delivery relies on an engine-mounted, cam-driven mechanical fuel pump to transfer fuel from the main reservoir directly to the carburetor bowl.

Lubrication System: Full-pressure lubrication system supplied by a positive-displacement, gear-type internal oil pump. The system forces pressurized oil directly to the main bearings, connecting rod journals, and camshaft bearings. Maintenance specifications mandate a complete oil change every 50 operating hours, with a full oil filter replacement executed every 150 operating hours. Flushing the crankcase assembly with kerosene during service intervals is strictly forbidden by factory protocols to prevent bearing contamination.

Cooling System: Liquid-cooled system utilizing a high-capacity water pump driven by a common fan belt. General maintenance dictates maintaining a belt deflection tolerance of 3/8 inch to 1 inch. Operational temperature parameters are controlled via a mechanical thermostat designed to crack open at 180F and achieve a fully open state at 202F, maintaining a stable overall operating block temperature range between 180F and 200F.

General Technical Data

Engine Specifications

Engine Model ............... Continental F244
Engine Type ............... 4-cycle inline 6-cylinder liquid-cooled L-head gasoline
Number of Cylinders ............... 6
Cylinder Arrangement ............... In-line
Engine Bore, in (mm) ............... 3.4375 (87.31)
Engine Stroke, in (mm) ............... 4.375 (111.13)
Displacement, cu.in (L) ............... 244 (4.0)
Rated Engine Power, hp (kW) ............... 78-95 (58-71)
Rated Engine Speed, rpm ............... 1800-2400
Peak Torque, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 175-190 (237-258) at 1200 rpm
Idle Speed, rpm ............... 500-600
Operating Speed, rpm ............... 1200-2400
Compression Ratio ............... 6.9:1
Firing Order ............... 1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Block Type ............... Cast iron
Cylinder Head Type ............... Cast iron flathead L-head
Rotation Direction ............... Counterclockwise viewed from flywheel side
Camshaft Drive Type ............... Helical gear driven directly from crankshaft gear
Valve Arrangement ............... L-head configuration side-valve block location
Lubrication System ............... Full-pressure feed
Oil Pump Type ............... Gear-driven internal assembly
Oil Filter Type ............... Full-flow or bypass spin-on element
Cooling System ............... Liquid-cooled force-circulated pump
Water Pump Type ............... Belt-driven centrifugal type
Air Cleaner Type ............... Heavy duty oil bath or dry dual-stage filter
Ignition System Type ............... Battery-distributor or magneto setup
Spark Plug Model ............... Champion L14-U or equivalent
Starting System ............... Electric starter motor assembly
Electrical System Voltage, V ............... 12

Fuel System

Carburetor Type ............... Single barrel updraft or downdraft
Carburetor Model ............... Zenith or Marvel-Schebler
Fuel Feed Method ............... Mechanical diaphragm pump
Fuel Pump Pressure, psi (kPa) ............... 3.5-5.0 (24.1-34.5)
Fuel Type Capability ............... Low-lead regular gasoline or LPG
Governor Type ............... Mechanical centrifugal or velocity style
Governor Control Linkage ............... Rigid rod with ball joint adjustments
Manifold Arrangement ............... Combined intake and exhaust block
Air-to-Fuel Ratio Operating Range ............... 12.5:1 to 14.8:1
Main Jet Size Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.052-0.058 (1.32-1.47)
Idle Jet Orifice Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.024-0.028 (0.61-0.71)
Throttle Bore Diameter, in (mm) ............... 1.250-1.375 (31.75-34.93)
Venturi Diameter Size, in (mm) ............... 1.062-1.125 (26.97-28.58)
LPG Regulator Primary Pressure, psi (kPa) ............... 4.5-6.0 (31.0-41.4)

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length, in (mm) ............... 38.6 (980)
Overall Width, in (mm) ............... 21.4 (545)
Overall Height, in (mm) ............... 30.1 (765)
Dry Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 560 (254)
Wet Weight, lbs (kg) ............... 615 (279)

Maintenance Data

Service Information

Compression Pressure, Minimum, psi (kPa) ............... 110 (758.4)
Oil Pressure at Rated Speed, psi (kPa) ............... 30-45 (206.8-310.3)
Oil Pressure at Idle Speed, psi (kPa) ............... 10 (68.9)
Thermostat Opening Temperature, F (C) ............... 160 (71.1)
Thermostat Fully Open Temperature, F (C) ............... 185 (85.0)
Fan Belt Deflection Distance, in (mm) ............... 0.50 (12.7)
Spark Plug Electrode Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.025 (0.64)
Distributor Contact Point Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.020 (0.51)
Intake Valve Clearance, Cold, in (mm) ............... 0.012 (0.30)
Exhaust Valve Clearance, Cold, in (mm) ............... 0.014 (0.36)

Engine Oil and Coolant

Engine Oil Type ............... SAE 20W, SAE 30, 10W-30
API Service Classifications ................. SG, SH, SJ
Engine Oil Capacity with Filter, U.S. qt (L) ............... 5.50 (5.20)
Engine Oil Capacity without Filter, U.S. qt (L) ............... 5.00 (4.73)
Cooling System Capacity, U.S. gal (L) ............... 3.50 (13.25)

Service Intervals

Change oil and filter ............... Every 100 hours
Replace/clean fuel filters ............... Every 150 hours
Inspect air cleaner ............... Every 50 hours
Change air filter ............... Every 150 hours
Change coolant ............... Every 1000 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 500 hours

Service Specifications

Cylinder Bore Standard Diameter, in (mm) ............... 3.4375-3.4385 (87.313-87.338)
Cylinder Bore Out-of-Round Max, in (mm) ............... 0.0010 (0.0254)
Cylinder Bore Taper Maximum, Limit, in (mm) ............... 0.0020 (0.0508)
Cylinder Block Deck Warpage Max, in (mm) ............... 0.0030 (0.0762)
Cylinder Head Flatness Tolerance, in (mm) ............... 0.0040 (0.1016)
Crankshaft Main Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 2.250-2.251 (57.150-57.175)
Crankshaft End Play, in (mm) ............... 0.003-0.007 (0.076-0.178)
Connecting Rod Journal Diameter, in (mm) ............... 2.0617-2.0627 (52.367-52.393)
Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0012-0.0028 (0.0305-0.0711)
Connecting Rod Side Play, in (mm) ............... 0.005-0.010 (0.127-0.254)
Connecting Rod Journal Out-of-Round, Limit, in (mm) ............... 0.0005 (0.0127)
Main Journal Out-of-Round, Limit, in (mm) ............... 0.0005 (0.0127)
Main Bearing Running Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0035 (0.0381-0.0889)
Piston Standard Diameter, in (mm) ............... 3.4350-3.4355 (87.249-87.262)
Piston-to-Bore Wall Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0030 (0.0508-0.0762)
Piston Pin Diameter Bore, in (mm) ............... 0.8751-0.8754 (22.228-22.235)
Piston Pin Fit In Rod Bushing, in (mm) ............... 0.0003-0.0007 (0.0076-0.0178)
Piston Pin Fit In Piston Boss, in (mm) ............... 0.0001-0.0003 (0.0025-0.0076)
Top Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.007-0.017 (0.178-0.432)
Second Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.007-0.017 (0.178-0.432)
Oil Ring End Gap, in (mm) ............... 0.007-0.017 (0.178-0.432)
Top Ring Side Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0020-0.0035 (0.0508-0.0889)
Second Ring Side Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0030 (0.0381-0.0762)
Oil Ring Side Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0015-0.0030 (0.0381-0.0762)
Intake Valve Stem Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3410-0.3415 (8.661-8.674)
Exhaust Valve Stem Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3395-0.3405 (8.623-8.649)
Intake Valve Stem-to-Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0017-0.0032 (0.0432-0.0813)
Exhaust Valve Stem-to-Guide Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0027-0.0047 (0.0686-0.1194)
Valve Guide Inside Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.3432-0.3442 (8.717-8.743)
Valve Seat Angle, deg ............... 45
Valve Face Angle, deg ............... 45
Valve Seat Width, in (mm) ............... 0.046-0.062 (1.17-1.57)
Valve Spring Free Length, in (mm) ............... 2.125 (53.98)
Valve Lifter Tappet Body Diameter, in (mm) ............... 0.6215-0.6220 (15.786-15.799)
Valve Lifter to Block Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.0005-0.0020 (0.0127-0.0508)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Number 1), in (mm) ............... 1.999-2.000 (50.775-50.800)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Number 2), in (mm) ............... 1.936-1.937 (49.174-49.200)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Number 3), in (mm) ............... 1.874-1.875 (47.600-47.625)
Camshaft Journal Diameter (Number 4), in (mm) ............... 1.249-1.250 (31.725-31.750)
Camshaft End Play, in (mm) ............... 0.002-0.006 (0.051-0.152)
Camshaft Bearing Clearance, Limit, in (mm) ............... 0.0010-0.0025 (0.0254-0.0635)
Cam Lobe Height (Intake), in (mm) ............... 0.285 (7.239)
Cam Lobe Height (Exhaust), in (mm) ............... 0.285 (7.239)

Tightening Torques

Cylinder Head Bolts (Stage One), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35 (47.5)
Cylinder Head Bolts (Stage Two), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 70 (94.9)
Cylinder Head Bolts (Final Stage), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 85-90 (115.2-122.0)
Main Bearing Cap Bolts (1/2-13), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 80-85 (108.5-115.2)
Connecting Rod Nut Fastener (7/16-20), lb-ft (Nm) ............... 45-50 (61.0-67.8)
Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 55-60 (74.6-81.3)
Crankshaft Damper Front Pulley Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 140-150 (189.8-203.4)
Camshaft Retaining Thrust Plate Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20.3-24.4)
Camshaft Gear Center Retaining Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 75-80 (101.7-108.5)
Manifold Intake and Exhaust Nut Clamp Stud, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (33.9-40.7)
Oil Pan Drain Plug Fastener Drain Case, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 35-40 (47.5-54.2)
Oil Pan Perimeter Mounting Screws Hex, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12-15 (16.3-20.3)
Oil Pump Assembly Retaining Internal Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 30-35 (40.7-47.5)
Oil Pump Cover Plate Small Screws Cap, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 8-10 (10.8-13.6)
Water Pump Mounting Shell Bolts Face, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (33.9-40.7)
Front Timing Gear Cover Face Cap Screws, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12-15 (16.3-20.3)
Rocker Arm Block Cover Side Plate Screws, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 8-10 (10.8-13.6)
Flywheel Housing to Cylinder Block Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 45-50 (61.0-67.8)
Spark Plug Base Thread Seat Into Head, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (33.9-40.7)
Distributor Hold Down Clamp Lock Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12-15 (16.3-20.3)
Fuel Pump Mechanical Dual Mounting Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-20 (20.3-27.1)
Thermostat Housing Water Outlet Flange Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20-25 (27.1-33.9)
Starter Motor Mounting Hex Structural Flange, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 45-50 (61.0-67.8)
Generator Alternator Pivoting Adjusting Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 25-30 (33.9-40.7)
Fan Assembly Hub Pull Stud Nut Ring, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20.3-24.4)
Oil Pressure Sending Unit Pipe Thread Fitting, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12-15 (16.3-20.3)
Crankcase Breather Baffle Plate Fastener, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 8-10 (10.8-13.6)
Oil Screen Support Intake Pipe Screw, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 15-18 (20.3-24.4)
Governor Housing Flange Hex Bolt, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 20-25 (27.1-33.9)
Carburetor Air Horn Mounting Flange Nut, lb-ft (Nm) ............... 12-15 (16.3-20.3)

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• Continental F245 Specs
  

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