Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

[Ed O'Brien]

Zero time -SMOH. Bought it straight from Don's Dream Machines with 0-200 crank, in Dec. '05. It's still in the shipping crate and never touched. We've decided to go another direction on my T-craft project so this engine is for sale. Spent $14,100 plus shipping. Make me an offer,
With regards;
Ed O'Brien
303-871-9005

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

Ed, as much as I have always wanted one of these. The price (not yours) has always kept me away. Now with my T-Craft (Yellow Duck) down, but not out yet. Trying to decide what to do. Kevin Mays has shown an interest in purchasing it. Will see. Still debating, unless someone comes in and buys it from me.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

I think the dynometer showed this engine putting out 93-94Hp. Basically that's 10% upgrade. I think that Don Swords and Don's Dream Machines makes a great engine and these things are worth the money. When compared to a shade tree overhaul they may seem steep but nothing beats Horse Power and in mile high Colorado nothing gets full rated horsepower. Here even the birds breath hard while singing. .

GoodLuck on whatever you plan. You're alive. The Duck will be good as new soon. Kevin's a good man and so are you. Hell things could be a whole lot worse.

With regards;
Ed O'Brien

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

I've gotten a couple of good offers on this engine. That said, the offers aren't up to a reserve number. I'd like to get $10,750.00 which is about 25% off of the retail that I paid in Dec. 05. Slick mags and rebuilt carb are in the deal too. You pay shipping and handling from Denver.

I'll sell to the highest bid after July 4th weekend. Or if reserve isn't met keep it and use it myself. Thanks for all of your interest. With regards;
Ed O'Brien
303-871-9005
Denver, CO.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

I'm still selling the C-85 with the 0-200 crank. A lot of calls and a couple of offers but no sale yet...
Make a bid and give me a call @303-871-9005.
Thanks;
Ed O'Brien

[usav8or]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

I'm new to the forum... C-85 with a 0-200 crank....

I have a C-85 I'll be Zero timing.... Ideas are flying.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

Regarding the question --" What is A C-85 with an 0-200 crank?" See below a reprint from the Southern Aviator, written by Debra A. MacFarland. I think this article outlines the issues and answers the questions from an authoritative source.
With regards;
Ed O'Brien

It's hard to pinpoint when and why I decided Lester needed an overhaul. His annual inspection detected good compressions. He maintained great oil pressure and my records indicated modest oil consumption. But a C-85 with more than 3,000 hours since new and 1,900 SMOH lacks something vital to pilots who like shorter fields or who need to haul weight: performance.

The hot, humid days of summer, with Boonie as my passenger, left me more times than not chanting, "I think I can. I think I can," as we wallowed off the runway. And subconsciously I avoided some of our favorite haunts in favor of locations with longer runways or no obstacles.

In all fairness, the performance of my C-85 was not that bad when compared to other airplanes. But I don't fly other airplanes. I fly a Luscombe 8E and I wanted to leap over tall buildings in a single bound. Besides, it was rather irritating to watch the Old Man's perky 8A climb out like a greased owl on her meager 65 horses while I lumbered behind with an extra 200 pounds of fuel, electrics and engine.

Our 20th wedding anniversary was close upon us. On momentous occasions like this, some women desire jewelry, especially diamonds. Not I. I wanted horses, more of them than I had now. My Old Man, ever vigilant for new opportunities, saw his chance to make me his slave for life. He opened his mouth and the most amazing words popped out. Not only would Lester get a new engine, he would get a Don's Dream Machine engine.

I signed my bondage papers without batting an eyelash.

Don Swords of Don's Dream Machines fame is an IA, DME and DAR who is the originator of STC No. SE 02004 AT that allows the substitution of the O-200 crank, rods and pistons in the C-85. His shop is on the field at the Griffin Spalding County Airport in Griffin, Ga. (6A2).

Lustrous, sculptural engines, of all kinds, were displayed on stands like works of art. Their sheer simplistic beauty belied their utilitarian function, or perhaps it honored it. Don and his staff are more than mechanics. I didn't need anyone to tell me that. My own eyes beheld it. They are artists who practice their craft and they practice it well.

Before I could be seduced by some of the finest objects I've seen in aviation, I had to voice my needs. "Mr. Swords, I really need an engine that will climb out with Boonie and me on a hot day. Can you do that?"

His smile was answer enough. A deal was struck and the deed was done. My only words to my husband were, "Mister, pay the man."

Don is the originator of several STCs, but why would a master artist/mechanic deal with the hassle of the STC approval process? Because it was in his best interests to do so and subsequently, mine. Parts for the C-85 are hard to come by. Crankshafts are virtually nonexistent. In order to keep these veritable engines going, parts had to be found.

Substituting keeps C-85s going and the demand encourages the parts manufacturer to keep making them. That's good economic sense, but what does their use do for the C-85? The O-200 crank, rods and pistons change the displacement of the C-85 engine from 188 cubic inches to 201 cubic inches. It also changes the compression ratio from 6.8 to 1 to 7.0 to 1. If this is Greek to you as it is to me, let's put it in these terms. It changes the horsepower. Vroom! Vroom! Better yet, according to Don, it changes the torque and it's the torque that produces the horsepower.

My new engine will have good torque at lower rpms. Don gave me an example. The O-200 produces 75 hp at 2500 rpms. The stock C-85 produces its full 85 horses at 2575; at 2275 it produces 75 hp. My hybrid produces the torque (perhaps more) of the C-85 using the O-200 parts giving my engine "a good balance of power."

It was more than "a good balance of power" that I held in my hands on his maiden flight. I felt like I was trying to subdue an ardent suitor, but ol' Lester had his way. He climbed with vigor and with heart, and his performance was beyond my expectations. That first flight was just a hop around the pattern, but it was a defining moment in my life. I have been able to own few truly fine things, and my new engine is one of them.

Lester, the dog that was, is a dog no longer.

My engine was tested on a stand before it was installed, so the "breaking in" period has been rather uneventful. In addition to smoothness and a 5mph increase in cruise, the most noticeable change in Lester is his eagerness to climb, which means his touch and goes offer a lot more go for the money. Don laughed when I told him of my nervousness with this new characteristic. When he said, "It's harder to relate airspeed to attitude now, isn't it?" he hit the source of my unease on the head.

Climbing out at 70 mph puts Lester's nose straight up, it seems, but I feel confident it's a characteristic I can quickly become accustomed to. He's a tad harder to slow down on final, but that's probably because I still subconsciously come in high. I haven't flown with Boonie yet. I feel obligated to fly a few hours first, but in my mind, I'm much safer, engine wise, than before.

I hope to check out Lester's performance with Boonie's added weight soon, but I have to juggle my flying time with my new duties as bondservant. Between Old Man's foot massages and polishing his tools, my free time of late is rather limited. In spite of my altered circumstances, some things, I have learned, are worth suffering a few indignities.

Don also holds two other STCs, one that encompasses the conversion of the C-85-12 to a C-85-8 (non-electrical) and another allows the use of the O-200 case in lieu of the C-85 case. His shop offers a wide range of aircraft maintenance and repair services as well as engine overhauls. For more information: 770.412.8885.

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

This is a VERY interesting article and I wonder if it should be in a different "group".

I am going to have to remember Don's Dream machine!!!!

I get pretty incredible performance out of my 85, but was unaware up to a couple of months ago at the rarity of the C-85 crank.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

Tribe;
I've been busy and never got around to selling this engine.
It's still for sale at but now at $10K. A hell of a buy considering I paid about $15K for it. Call me 303-871-9005 if you're interested. It's brand new and still in the crate. Thanks ED OBRIEN

[VictorBravo]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

Sorry... If I had the bucks I'd definitely want it. But right now I'm so broke I can't even pay attention.

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

Ed if I were still flying and had a t-Craft, I would deffinately be a buyer. But sorry, am out of the aviation world. Riding my Harley and growing roses. Best I can do now.

God Luck

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

People have asked the following questions...regarding the Don's Dream Engine I have for sale:
1. Are the Mags included?: YES, I paid for a new set of Slicks. Each mag is impulse coupled.
2. What about the carberator: I had it rebuilt. It is included in the engine's sale price.
3. What about shipping: Buyer pays for shipping from Akron CO. to your location.
4. Do you have a prop with it?: No the prop in NOT included. The planes old prop is retiring.
5. Does it run on car gas/: Probably, but I haven't got the STC for it. That's the buyers responsiblility.
6. Old log starts in 1993 and New log books from Don Sword are included too.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[perryv1]

Re: Don's Dream C85 w 0-200 Crank for sale

I can't say enough for the benefits of the 0-200 upgrade.
It just puts another notch in the Fun meter