The invention relates to a single-row reciprocating piston type rotor engine, belonging to the field of power generating machines. The engine comprises a main shaft (1), an elliptic orbit groove disc body (2), a transmission connecting rod (3), a positioning U-shaped fork (4), a cylindrical rotary cylinder body (5), a rotary cylinder body end cover (6), a turning lever (7), a turning lever shaft (14), a traditional single cylinder engine nose (8), a piston connecting rod (9), a piston (10), a cylindrical enclosure (11) and the like, wherein the lower end of the transmission connecting rod (3) is provided with a bearing (21) inserted into an elliptic orbit groove (12); a horizontal elbow of the transmission connecting rod (3) passes through the tube wall of the cylindrical rotary cylinder body (5); a perforation is sealed by using a shaft seal (13); the horizontal elbow is connected with one end of the turning lever (7) by using the bearing; the piston connecting rod (9) is connected with the other end of the turning lever (7) also by using the bearing; the turning lever shaft (14) is fixed on the bottom of the rotary cylinder body (5) and is in positioning connection with the turning lever (7) by using the bearing. The invention has the advantages of simple and compact structure, few components, light weight, small volume, high efficiency, energy saving, convenience of maintenance and long service life and not only can be made into a gasoline engine but also can be made into a diesel engine.