Saving money
Data point for you - no intent to debate, just my opinion here.... I am at a fork in the road....
I purchased a used O-320D1A (pickled for 13 years) and am about to take it apart to ship ALL the components out for inspection and compliance, etc. I now realize this is a HUGE wildcard. If (BIG IF) all goes well and my parts can be returned to service without major rework, or replacement, I'll hopefully be at about $13,000, including my core cost of $4,800. If (ANOTHER BIG IF) something expensive does not pass (crank, a few cylinders) I'll blow past the cost of a brand new clone kit, with nickel plated cylinders!!! I have already traded the old carb. for a reman, and had the nearly new mags and harnesses inspected (now have yellow tags). The starter is a nearly new Prestolite, an accessory I can live with but would rather have a lighter one. I see that AERO sells the kits for not much more than I'm attempting to pay. I said attempting!!!! My fork in the road / Monday morning quarterback view is: kit engine = no parts inspection failure risk. I am seriously considering keeping my accessories and selling the core on Ebay. My wife thinks I need counseling after spending all the time I did to find the core. Yes, writing a check for a new engine kit is more painful than ?attempting? to piece meal your way to slightly less cost. I am a member of the ?big check writing pain club? so here I sit. My wife and teenage kids have banned me from talking about aircraft engines at the dinner table.
If you find a used engine that can be run for a while before you rebuild, a whole different set of circumstances apply. My experience was: finding a low priced core or running engine, with serviceable accessories, is hard to do. I am very sure they are out there but for me they were always geographically remote from my home state of Washington. Also, if you have the ability to do your own parts inspections? well, you are printing money in the form of sweat equity.
Sorry for the long post. I just want you to consider all aspects.
By the way, I think EI and FI are marvelous, no debate needed. For me it?s just another big check to write.
Sincerely, Brian Vickers, RV4 ? still finishing? and finishing?. and finishing