Engine woes

[akndrifter]

Well I learned today that the engine on Miss T is fried. Kind of leaves me in a lurch as I don't think I'll be able to deal with it after my summer course and before fishing. I'm considering a few options.

1) I could stick another A65 on it. Simplest, and possibly cheapest.

2) I could upgrade to a C-85 or O-200. Most complicated, and possibly most expensive.

3) Or sell Miss T as is and upgrade to an F-19 or something with the mods already done.

Any idea what a perfectly good airplane but needing a new engine would be worth?
I Appreciate any advice, especially from people who have done tcart engine swaps.

[astjp2]

Re: Engine woes

What do you need for parts? I have a bunch of A-65 stuff laying around that I could let go fairly cheap, overhauled cam that the yellow tag fell off of, tappet bodies, oil pump covers, gears, case halves, cylinders, tappet covers, etc, etc, etc. If you just need a top, then order a superior kit from Norm at Chance aviation, they are worth their weight in GOLD. I also know of a few low time A-65 engines that a friend has that he maybe willing to part with, one is like 700 hours since new or overhaul, I think new. Tim

[Pearson]

Re: Engine woes

Regarding option 3), if you sell your plane as is most buyers will factor in a worst case scenario on overhauling or replacing the engine. As far as your option 2), it really depends on what you really want. If you really want a more powerful engine on a Taylorcraft, I would think NOW is the time. Regarding option 1) have you calculated the cost to rebuild your old engine. You say it "is fried", but what does that mean? I have an A65-8F that the cylinders were removed from. I had them completely rebuilt. The engine is still assembled. All you would need to do is install the cylinders. If you might be interested in it, send me an email at neat1s@yahoo (dot) com. I also have extra connecting rods, pistons, crankshaft, and other goodies. It is another complete engine minus the case and the camshaft.

[akndrifter]

Re: Engine woes

Thanks for the comebacks. Not sure what the whole deal is yet, but sounds like there had been some oil starvation, which caused over heating. Cam is bad and who knows what else.

[Pearson]

Re: Engine woes

Yeah, they don't run too long without oil. I have a paper copy of an article from some magazine about a bunch of students at an A&P school who assembled an A65 from a pile of RED TAGGED parts. They fired it up on a test stand and ran it up to max rpm. After a while they got a little bored with it and decided to have some fun. They drained the oil out of while it was running and just let it keep going. After awhile it started losing rpm. Eventually it seized up and stopped. That was the end of the day so everybody went home. So the next day the teacher comes in bright and early, and started thinking. He put oil back into the engine and fired it up.

Now I am not suggesting that you go put some oil in your engine and plan a cross country. But you never know. Let us know what you find when you tear it down.

[cvavon]

Re: Engine woes

A c85 or other bigger horse power engine is nice but the cost to install one is large also. Here is a short list on my engine baffels $700 starter $795 alternator$700 luscombe exhaust $1100 oil filter adapter $295 battery and box $200 odds and ends $250 then the engine ? But what a difference 20 horse power makes! Oh forgot paper work from Terry price varies with what you want from him.

[astjp2]

Re: Engine woes

I am cheap, I would skip the alternator, starter, and I would use the C-150 exhaust because he would need heat even in the summer in Alaska. I can do the field approval for the battery and the exhaust and just make the baffling...or order a set from airforms and modify it to fit, their stuff is real nice..Tim

[akndrifter]

Re: Engine woes

I'm cheap too. Plus there is a significant weight savings.

[astjp2]

Re: Engine woes

I do know that there is a taylorcraft with an O-200 converted to a -8, superlight weight and with a few exta's is a good performer...things like teflon coated skirt pistions, O-300 intake elbows, modified oil pump, etc....can you say 800fpm climb and a 106kias cruise at 2500'msl....

[ifdale]

Re: Engine woes

I went from a 65 to an 85, when money is a factor (it was in my case) it often comes down to what you can find at the time. In my case I needed a new motor and wanted an upgrade, but would not have done it had I not found a great deal on one. It hadn't been run in years, was a risk buying but was worth it as it's still running great two years later. Had I not stumbled on that 85 for the price I would've bought a 65, and there's lots of them out there because everyone wants to upgrade. Installing the 85 is a snap and Terry's stc is great and makes it legal. An 85 will add value and performance to your plane so it probably depends on how much $$$ you want to spend. Check craigslist, alaskaslist, aeroalaska, barnstormers etc etc. Good luck

[crispy critter]

Re: Engine woes

I do know that there is a taylorcraft with an O-200 converted to a -8, superlight weight and with a few exta's is a good performer...things like teflon coated skirt pistions, O-300 intake elbows, modified oil pump, etc....can you say 800fpm climb and a 106kias cruise at 2500'msl....

800fpm, Is that all??? 106kts is respectable with the 0200(notice i did say kts...) but I was getting closer to 1500fpm climb at 80mph indicated. I was running an 0200 on a stock short mount without any electrics or battery. Cover plates installed over all the accessory holes.

[1938BF50]

Re: Engine woes

AKNdrifter,

Where are you in AK? Check your PM.

[cvavon]

Re: Engine woes

what weight savings a65-8 WITH ACCESSORIES is 198 lbs my c85-12 with B&C starter and alternator bendex mags and oil filteris 208 lbs I weigh 776 with grove disk brakes and AK Bush 26 in tundra tires and AK 3200 tailwheel and oddysey battery 1280 gross 504 useful and at 1000 msl 1500 fpm climb and 100 mph+ thats with a sensenich 72/40 prop will turn 2750 rpm

[Robert Lees]

Re: Engine woes

Chuck / Shanon: my pardon, but what is your question? Too many numbers.

Rob

[cvavon]

Re: Engine woes

Robert not question but answer to weight savings a c85 c90 or 0200 with accessories can be done on a short mount with a ten lbs gain. and have a starter and electrical system.