apkp777

apkp777

Well Known Member
Hey all,

I am just finishing my Fuselage and my Finish kit will be here in a month. I am thinking that it is time to buy an engine. I am considering several options and would appreciate any feedback you might have.

Lycoming o-320

OPTION 1: New from Vans. $22000
OPTION 2: Used mid-time from Wentworth $12000
OPTION 3: Search high and low for a descent mid-time?
 
In my build, I am forgoing many of the "nice to haves" so that I can get that brand new 0 time engine. In my opinion, having a brand new engine that allows you to control the maintenance, and operation brings peace of mind.
 
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I am with you msturgis. I would really prefer a "zero" time engine. The issue is the extra $15000 I have to fork out to get one. Is it really worth it?
 
Give Bart ....

.... or Sue a call at Aerosport Power - 250 376-2955. I bought a new IO-320 from them last month for less than $20k. Don't know if they have any of these left but worth the call.
 
I am on a budget as well. Nothing wrong with going used as long as you have checked the engine and the history out. A good midtime engine buys you some years to save up for an overhaul or new one.

I bought my IO-360 angle valve from a Mooney that was being upgraded and overhauled it ourselves. Just finished putting it together. Great experience and 0 SMOH engine that I know as well as my airplane, and only cost me $14k with a few extras to boot.

Go with whichever route you are comfortable with.
 
apkp777 said:
I'll give AeroSport a call. Anyone bought an engine from Wentworth?
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Yes,
I got an IO-540 V4A5 form them that came out of a 2001 Maule with 461 SNEW and 109 since factory overhaul for the crankshaft AD. It was a mild prop strike engine that dialed .010". I just finished the reassembly today for the required parts inspection and repair of the crank. I am happy with the decision to go this route and I saved a ton of money. It was a very rewarding experience doing the disassembly, shipping the parts out, and reassembling the engine with a friend of mine. We both learned a lot about Lycoming engines! I feel very confident in the engine now and know it inside out also. I got lucky with the crank being repairable. Lets face it,, some of us are on limited budgets and won't have all the bells and whistles, or are trying to save in some areas to put in others. All that being said, if I had unlimited funds, I would just call Vans for an engine/prop package, heck, maybe even just buy a RV-10 already built by someone else and be flying already.
 
Used is a great way to go....

....and there are many takeouts with around 1800 hours that will go another 600 or more. Ours came from a flipped Comanche..$8500. and we overhauled it.

$8500 for a 700 hour engine from Wentworth is flying in my buddy's -4. Smooth as silk with the two-bladed Catto and little to no oil consuption.

Regards,
 
New Plane ...New Engine

Mortgage your house, or sell your first born, ok don't do that.....but find a way to put a new engine in your plane. You will be better off in the long run. If you can't swing that, build a clone from NEW PARTS. Can you say: ECI ???

I had to edit this and add: Logbooks are pure fantasy. That is how you must look at them! The only way to check out a used engine is with a complete tear down. That's called and overhaul by some! I'd rather buy a used car from Dooie Cheatem and How than buy a used aircraft engine based on it's logbook history. IMHO the only bigger mistake you could make is to put an auto engine in you new RV.
 
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Danny King said:
Mortgage your house, or sell your first born, ok don't do that.....but find a way to put a new engine in your plane. You will be better off in the long run. If you can't swing that, build a clone from NEW PARTS. Can you say: ECI ???

I had to edit this and add: Logbooks are pure fantasy. That is how you must look at them! The only way to check out a used engine is with a complete tear down. That's called and overhaul by some! I'd rather buy a used car from Dooie Cheatem and How than buy a used aircraft engine based on it's logbook history. IMHO the only bigger mistake you could make is to put an auto engine in you new RV.
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I tend to agree with Danny. There are good used engines out there but it is a casino shoot. (I've done 2 first run Lycomings in the past and they were OK as they were running fine but removed due to TBO.)

But there was nothing like that on the horizon this time so I bit the money bucket and went new with Barrett and there's no looking back. I figured I am going to do this only one time and I don't want to deal with any hidden internal secrets of a used engine. By the time you buy a used engine and have it overhauled, the cost is near new and you could have a ground down crank shaft on its last leg. If a new crank or case is needed, you are in deep do-do financially.

That's the worst case scenario. You could luck out like Pierre's friends, but it is risky.
 
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I went through the same thought process a little while ago. I ended up choosing to order an ECI engine. Reasonable cost and brand new. However, a word of warning, if you decide to go this route, gather up as much patience as possible. I ordered my engine 6 1/2 months ago and still no delivery date.
 
Ebay

I bought a used mid-time O-360 off of Ebay for $7500. I am in the process of overhauling it, and it will end up costing me $13-14K (total, including original cost) when it's done. It's quite a learning process. I'll let you know whether I'm happy about it when I get it flying. A lot of very knowledgeable people recommend getting a running, mid-time engine, putting it on the airplane, and running it till it needs overhaul.
 
used or new?

I've been well pleased with the 150 SMOH hour engine on first overhaul. As it turned out the 0320 fixed pitch was found on VAF from a RV6 flying project that the owner was upgrading to 0360 CS. I was able to purchase the engine, prop all asscesories except the Plasma II+ which the owner wanted, including cooling baffles. All fit the RV9 perfectly and have performed excellent for the first 100 hours. Did have a alternator to go out but not to uncommon. Was a excellent buy for 10K
 
TME wants $22500 or $25500 for roller tappets. OUCH!

I am pretty sure Van's deal on the LYC exp comes standard with that.

I appreciate all your input. I respect all of it. Just a huge decision. Money is the biggest factor. Though perhaps I could mortgage an engine and pay it off down the road.

I looked at the SUB conversion. Looks like trouble to me.

For now I am going to keep my eyes peeled for a mint used engine and if that doesn't turn up, I'll sell a kidney for the new one.
 
MNForrest- that is too funny. Let me know if you get any takers. Maybe we can sell them a pair of kidneys, and I can get an 0-320
 
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