Lycoming update - 10 months lead time

markelliott · #1 10-16-2019, 07:20 AM

Just a public service announcement

I ordered a Lycoming IO-390 Thunderbolt through Vans April 2019.....was told at that time delivery would be Oct 2019 but "lead times are coming down and expect it possibly by the August or September".

update this morning "Currently we have your engine to ship in early January. We are decreasing our lead times though and I am hopeful we will be able to ship it earlier than that."

For those of you building plan accordingly......
build on......until you can't.
Mark

PS. Anyone looking for the 72" 2 blade Hartzell, I may have a new one in box for you. Toying with the idea of changing my propeller selection. Get ahold of me if interested. Minnesota.

bkervaski · #2 10-16-2019, 07:51 AM

Yikes!

TS Flightlines · #3 10-16-2019, 07:52 AM

Just a crazy question for those that know: Is the lead time problem a parts production issue, or not enough builders to to the assemblies?
Just asking---

Tom

rv6ejguy · #4 10-16-2019, 08:02 AM

I'd hazard a guess that high numbers of RV-14 builds and the XP-382/400 debacle is pushing demand over what was anticipated a year ago. Hard to ramp up production a bunch in a short time.

LR60 · #5 10-16-2019, 10:58 AM

Thanks for the info

I need to start thinking about this....

When during the build is it best to install the engine. I?m in the early stages of the fuselage kit.

MED · #6 10-16-2019, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LR60

Thanks for the info

I need to start thinking about this....

When during the build is it best to install the engine. I?m in the early stages of the fuselage kit.

After you complete the canopy, in my opinion. To me (QB), that was the largest task to complete before installing the engine.

rvator10 · #7 10-16-2019, 12:48 PM

the engine delay has been problematic for some time now, for me, i installed all my avionics and electrical systems to gap the delay = no building down time, but it was close.

sjarrell · #8 12-31-2019, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markelliott

Just a public service announcement

I ordered a Lycoming IO-390 Thunderbolt through Vans April 2019.....was told at that time delivery would be Oct 2019 but "lead times are coming down and expect it possibly by the August or September".

update this morning "Currently we have your engine to ship in early January. We are decreasing our lead times though and I am hopeful we will be able to ship it earlier than that."......

Ordered our IO390 Thunderbolt engine 10/29/19. Was originally told to expect a July ship date (9 months). That was updated this last week to September (11 months). It looks like the lead times are going up, not coming down.

We will definitely be waiting on the engine.

RViator60 · #9 01-01-2020, 06:51 AM

I ordered my IO390 Thunderbolt in mid-Nov 2019 and was told by Jeff at that time that I should plan for delivery in a year. I'm assuming 10-11 months is a reasonable lead time estimate which should work well for my build.

Flyingsnowdog · #10 01-01-2020, 08:40 AM

I ordered my standard IO-390 Aug 9 and just received my letter from Vans to have final payment by Feb 17 with shipment to follow