The Continental AV1790 was an American tank V-12 engine. Produced by Continental Motors, the AV1790 was used in a variety of limited production or pilot heavy tanks, including the M53 and M55 Howitzer, T30, T34, T43 (neither to be confused with the Soviet T-34 or T-43), T57, and T58, as well as the production M103 tank (derived from the T43) and the M51 recovery vehicle. There were also diesel versions for the M47, M48, and M60 Pattons.
The AV-1790-5B is also the engine of the Blastolene Special, a custom car owned by Jay Leno.
Specifications[]
General characteristics
Type:
90 degree four-stroke V12
Bore:
5.75 in (146.05 mm)
Stroke:
5.75 in (146.05 mm)
Displacement:
1791.7 cu in (29.36 L)
Dry weight
AV-1790-3
2332 lb (1058 kg)
AV-1790-5C
2554 lb (1158 kg)
AV-1790-7C
2647 lb (1200 kg)
AVDS-1790-2A
4700 lb (2132 kg)
AVSI-1790-6
3050 lb (1383 kg)
AV-1790-3
AV-1790-5C
AV-1790-7C
AVDS-1790-2A
AVDS-1790-5B
AVSI-1790-6
Supercharger:
no
no
no
twin turbocharger
yes
Fuel system:
fuel injection
Fuel type:
80 octane gasoline (petrol)
80 octane gasoline
80 octane gasoline
40 cetane diesel
80 octane gasoline
Ignition
magneto
magneto
magneto
compression
magneto
Compression ratio:
6.5:1
6.5:1
6.5:1
16:1
5.5:1
Performance
Power output:
Torque (net)
Specific power:
Power-to-weight ratio:
AV-1790-3
704 hp (525 kW) at 2800 rpm
1440 pound-feet at 2200 rpm
AV-1790-5C
650 hp (485 kW) at 2400 rpm
1250 pound-feet at 2100 rpm
AV-1790-7C
690 hp (515 kW) at 2800
1410 pound-feet at 2200 rpm
AVDS-1790-2A
643 hp (480 kW) at 2400 rpm
1575 pound-feet at 1750 rpm
AVSI-1790-6
765 hp (570 kW) at 2800 rpm
1670 pound-feet at 2100 rpm
Sources[]
Hunnicutt, R. P. Firepower: A History of the American Heavy Tank. Novato, California: Presidio Press, 1988. ISBN 0-89141-304-9