The Kawasaki 340 is a Japanese twin-cylinder, in-line, two-stroke engine that was designed for snowmobiles and produced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries until the early 1980s. The engine was available in air-cooled and liquid-cooled versions.[1]

Kawasaki 340
Type Two-cylinder two-stroke engine
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Produced until the early 1980s

The engine was widely adapted for other purposes, including ultralight aircraft. Kawasaki did not condone or support the use of the engine in aircraft and it was largely supplanted in this role by the similar purpose-designed Rotax 377 aircraft engine.[1]

Design and development

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The Kawasaki 340 is very similar in design to the Kawasaki 440, using a smaller piston.[1]

The engine has two cylinders in an in-line configuration. The single ignition system uses a coil and points. Fuel is metered by a carburetor and the engine has oil injection. Starting is by a recoil starter system with electric start as an option.[1]

In its aircraft applications the 340 uses one of several available aftermarket reduction drive systems to reduce the maximum 6800 rpm to a speed more manageable for propeller use.[1]

Variants

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340-FA
Free Air-cooled version[1]
340-LC
Liquid-cooled version[1]

Applications

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Specifications (340-LC)

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Data from Ragwing Aviation[1] & Kitplanes[2]

General characteristics

  • Type: twin-cylinder, two-stroke engine

Components

  • Fuel system: carburetor
  • Oil system: oil injection
  • Cooling system: liquid-cooled
  • Reduction gear: aftermarket reduction drive for aircraft use

Performance

  • Power output: 35 hp (26 kW) at 6800 rpm

See also

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Related development

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Ragwing Aircraft Designs (2006). "KAWASAKI 340 engines". Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  2. ^ Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 62. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851