TIST12-0CA - Continental Prime Complete Cylinder Assembly for Lycoming Engines

TIST12-0CA – Continental Prime™ FAA-PMA Complete Cylinder Assembly for Lycoming 360-Series Engines

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The Continental Prime™ TIST12-0CA is a premium, FAA-PMA certified complete cylinder assembly engineered by Continental Aerospace Technologies™ as a direct replacement for cylinders on Lycoming's ubiquitous 360-series, parallel-valve engines. This assembly is not merely a reproduction; it is an evolution, incorporating several engineering and materials processing enhancements designed to improve durability, overhaulability, and performance. As an FAA-PMA approved part, the TIST12-0CA has undergone a rigorous certification process to demonstrate that its design, materials, and performance are equivalent to or superior than the original OEM equipment.

This cylinder kit arrives as a complete, ready-to-install "power assembly," significantly reducing assembly time and eliminating the need for specialized valve train work during a top overhaul. It is the preferred choice for owners and operators seeking to incorporate next-generation engineering from a trusted OEM into their proven Lycoming powerplants, with a specific focus on extending the operational life of the cylinder barrel beyond a single run.

Key Features

• FAA-PMA Approved for Lycoming Engines: Certified by the FAA as a safe, airworthy, and direct replacement for the original Lycoming part on a wide range of 360-series engines.

• Through-Hardened Steel Barrel: Unlike the case-hardened (nitrided) design of the original, the Prime™ barrel is through-hardened. This deep, uniform hardness allows the barrel to be rebored to established oversized dimensions multiple times, dramatically enhancing its service life and reducing long-term operating costs.

• Investment Cast Cylinder Head: The A356-T6 aluminum alloy head is produced using an advanced investment casting process, resulting in a superior surface finish and more consistent port geometry for improved airflow and volumetric efficiency.

• Enhanced Structural Design: Incorporates additional material and refined contours in historically high-stress areas of the cylinder head, such as between the spark plug bosses and valve seats, to increase resistance to cracking.

• Complete Bolt-On Assembly: Arrives fully assembled with valves, guides, seats, springs, and piston kit, minimizing downtime and ensuring all components are factory-matched for optimal performance.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: TIST12-0CA

• Component Type: FAA-PMA Complete Cylinder Assembly

• Manufacturer: Continental Aerospace Technologies™

• Engine Applicability: Lycoming 360-series engines with parallel valves and 8.5:1 compression ratio pistons.

• Barrel Material & Process: Through-Hardened SAE 4140 Chromium-Molybdenum Steel Alloy.

• Head Material & Process: Investment Cast A356-T6 Aluminum Alloy.

• Piston: Forged aluminum alloy, configured for 8.5:1 compression ratio.

• Kit Contents (Typical):

  • Complete Cylinder Assembly (pre-assembled with valves, springs, etc.)

  • Piston and Piston Ring Set

  • Piston Pin and Pin Plugs

  • Rocker Cover, Cylinder Base, Intake, and Exhaust Gaskets.

Engine Compatibility

The TIST12-0CA is FAA-PMA approved for a large number of Lycoming 360-cubic-inch, parallel-valve engine models. Common applicable engine series include:

• O-360: -A, -C, -D, and -F series

• IO-360: -B, -C, -D, -J, -K, and -L series

• AEIO-360: -B, and -H series

• LO-360: -A series

Crucial Note: This list is not exhaustive. The official FAA-PMA supplement for this part and the specific engine's Illustrated Parts Catalog are the final authorities for verifying installation eligibility.

Applications

The TIST12-0CA assembly is intended for engine overhaul, repair, and upgrade. Primary uses include:

• Engine Top Overhaul: A complete set provides a factory-new power section for the engine.

• Single Cylinder Replacement: Used to replace an individual cylinder deemed unserviceable due to low compression, cracking, or damage.

• Performance Upgrade: Replaces older cylinder designs with a modern, more durable, and potentially more efficient alternative.

Why Choose TIST12-0CA?

Choosing the Continental Prime™ TIST12-0CA is an investment in longevity and advanced engineering. The single greatest advantage is the through-hardened barrel, which provides a tangible path to multiple engine overhauls on the same set of cylinders, a significant economic benefit over single-use nitrided barrels. As an FAA-PMA part from a competing OEM, the TIST12-0CA had to rigorously prove its superiority in design and durability to gain certification. This provides operators with a certified alternative that incorporates decades of additional field experience and advanced manufacturing techniques, backed by the full faith and credit of Continental®, a global leader in piston engine technology.

The primary engineering differentiator of the TIST12-0CA cylinder is the use of a through-hardened steel barrel instead of a nitrided one. Through-hardening is a bulk heat treatment process where the entire SAE 4140 steel barrel forging is heated in a furnace to a temperature above its austenitic transformation point (austenitized), typically around 1550°F (845°C). It is then rapidly cooled by quenching in a controlled medium, followed by a tempering process to achieve a uniform, high-strength martensitic microstructure throughout its entire cross-section. This results in a consistent hardness of approximately 30-35 HRC from the outer surface to the bore. This contrasts sharply with nitriding, a thermochemical case-hardening process that diffuses nitrogen into only the surface layer of the steel, creating an extremely hard but very thin case (~0.020"). The profound advantage of the through-hardened barrel is that its wear-resistant properties are not confined to this thin surface. This allows the barrel's inside diameter to be ground to established oversized dimensions (e.g., +0.010", +0.015") during an overhaul to restore a perfectly straight, round bore, a procedure that is often impossible on a nitrided cylinder where such grinding would remove the entire hardened case and render the part unserviceable.

Note: This is a flight-critical engine component. Installation constitutes a major engine repair and must be performed by a certified A&P/IA mechanic in strict accordance with Continental's installation documentation and the applicable Lycoming engine overhaul manual. Proper engine break-in procedures using the correct type of lubricating oil are mandatory after installation to ensure correct seating of the piston rings and achieve optimal engine health.

Documentation

The official FAA-P-MA Approved Replacement Part Master List (Supplement) contains the definitive list of engine models this cylinder is eligible for installation on. All installation and maintenance procedures must reference the applicable Lycoming overhaul manual and Continental's installation instructions.