Engine Upgrade Cost

[labe0202]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

Airplane Philosophy 101: Generally it's cheaper to buy it than build it. That's unless you have the training, time, and tools to do the job (and want to experience the process). Note the time factor...that means not flying unless you have access to another plane.

I've done both. Taken airplanes from an existing cover and airframe condition and assisted/paid someone to do a complete airframe rebuild. Same for a few engines. In the end the experience was interesting but there was no savings in cost, and the down time was tough to endure. I could have bought an upgraded aircraft and flown for less grief and expense.

Unless you're young and have a potentially long life ahead then time isn't as critical as if you're older and already riding the wave to shore when it comes to flying.

Gary

I have neither the training, time, nor tools so unfortunately that's not an option. Hands down it's something I'd like to learn about and do but that'll have to be for another time in my life. The plane has been in my family as long as I've been alive so I know I'd absolutely kick myself years from now if I sold it for something else. The sentimental attachment rules that out and the checkbook rules out buying another one without selling this one. I fly for a living and rarely fly the T-craft now so the downtime wouldn't kill me as I kind of get my fix regularly. You're right on all points but I would really beat myself up if I sold the plane, unfortunately.

[cvavon]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

We had most of the parts we needed before we took it apart so total down time was less then 3 weeks.Marty cessna has NO COOL FACTOR whats so ever Thats why i built the Stinson needed to spend some money also i gave the Taylorcraft to Shannon although she was able to prop it this is much safer for her when she goes some where

[PA1195]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

I have neither the training, time, nor tools so unfortunately that's not an option. Hands down it's something I'd like to learn about and do but that'll have to be for another time in my life. The plane has been in my family as long as I've been alive so I know I'd absolutely kick myself years from now if I sold it for something else. The sentimental attachment rules that out and the checkbook rules out buying another one without selling this one. I fly for a living and rarely fly the T-craft now so the downtime wouldn't kill me as I kind of get my fix regularly. You're right on all points but I would really beat myself up if I sold the plane, unfortunately.

Hi Ben. It appears you have strong ties to N96986 and after all these years of ownership it's likely airworthy to your satisfaction. I'd not sell it then take on an unknown aircraft. If you want more performance I suggest you first maximize what you have, or add a stablemate with more power if that's what you need.

Maximizing performance for me would be to:
1. Fly it as light as possible consistent with the flight profile.
2. Add (as you note earlier) a metal propeller that will achieve rated static rpm in as large a diameter as possible. What's more important...T/O or cruise in your case?
3. Add a low restriction air filter (I suggest either a Challenger or Donaldson), and make sure your carb heat mechanism/flap assembly is as tight and non-heat leak free as possible.
4. If the engine's tired then do what it takes to bring it back to full performance (carb overhaul, cam, lifters, cylinders for example).
5. Add VG's and check the wing rigging to maximize lift.

These are just a few suggestions and as a professional pilot you know where I going.

Gary

[cvavon]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

The only gain we noticed was climb cruse speed is the same.I have a 72/40 Sensenich prop that pulls very hard and can in cool wether get 1800 FT per Min climb and cruse at 100 mph at 2450 rpm .

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

For some of us the whole point of having a plane is flying....for some it is the hand to tool to part that brings us satisfaction. I am a mix with a HEAVY bias towards getting my hands dirty.

Each to his own. ;-)

Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

You just need to get some air under the wings of yours, Hank.

[labe0202]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

Hi Ben. It appears you have strong ties to N96986 and after all these years of ownership it's likely airworthy to your satisfaction. I'd not sell it then take on an unknown aircraft. If you want more performance I suggest you first maximize what you have, or add a stablemate with more power if that's what you need.

Maximizing performance for me would be to:
1. Fly it as light as possible consistent with the flight profile.
2. Add (as you note earlier) a metal propeller that will achieve rated static rpm in as large a diameter as possible. What's more important...T/O or cruise in your case?
3. Add a low restriction air filter (I suggest either a Challenger or Donaldson), and make sure your carb heat mechanism/flap assembly is as tight and non-heat leak free as possible.
4. If the engine's tired then do what it takes to bring it back to full performance (carb overhaul, cam, lifters, cylinders for example).
5. Add VG's and check the wing rigging to maximize lift.

These are just a few suggestions and as a professional pilot you know where I going.

Gary

Thanks for the well thought post! You've got me thinking that I should try a lot of these steps first and make a judgement on the performance of my plane then. I've got a possible lead on an overhauled McCauley CM7443/1B90 from a prop shop in Oregon. Don't know if it's reasonable or not but it's my understanding that these props can be used on the 65 or 85 if cut down? Seems like this would be a good place to start along with replacing some tired engine components in my A65.

Thanks everyone for the help!

[labe0202]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

Thanks for the well thought post! You've got me thinking that I should try a lot of these steps first and make a judgement on the performance of my plane then. I've got a possible lead on an overhauled McCauley CM7443/1B90 from a prop shop in Oregon. Don't know if it's reasonable or not but it's my understanding that these props can be used on the 65 or 85 if cut down? Seems like this would be a good place to start along with replacing some tired engine components in my A65.

Thanks everyone for the help!

The prop is $2500 shipped and pitched with no logs. Sounds high to me, any thoughts? Also, the 1A90 is listed in the TCDS but not 1B90. Would this work with a 337 or am I missing something?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

For some of us the whole point of having a plane is flying....for some it is the hand to tool to part that brings us satisfaction. I am a mix with a HEAVY bias towards getting my hands dirty.

Each to his own. ;-)

Hank

[PA1195]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

The prop is $2500 shipped and pitched with no logs. Sounds high to me, any thoughts? Also, the 1A90 is listed in the TCDS but not 1B90. Would this work with a 337 or am I missing something?

This comment is coming from a non-A&P so take it for its limited value...First check the TCDS sheet for your plane (like A-696) to see if the propeller has been certified by Taylorcraft for your engine/airframe combination. If not it may have been STC'd by the manufacturer or another entity. Check the FAA's STC database for the listings under the various Taylorcraft TCDS owners. Or, it may have been previously Field Approved by another aircraft owner that you're aware of. If so, obtain copies of substantiating records for that aircraft from the FAA on CD. Or, it may be eligible for a Field Approval via a review by a designated engineering representative such as Certified Aeronautical Products. For example having a Piper PA-11 with the desired prop on an A-65, or having the engine manufacturer previously test the engine and propeller combination, may make it eligible via engineering support (out of my job class now so no more),

Gary

[astjp2]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

I paid 2700 for mine, with no logs, fixed pitch props don't normally have a log. 1A90 and 1B90 are interchangeable per McCauley, direct interchange. Tim

The prop is $2500 shipped and pitched with no logs. Sounds high to me, any thoughts? Also, the 1A90 is listed in the TCDS but not 1B90. Would this work with a 337 or am I missing something?

[astjp2]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

Its approved for a taylorcraft F-19 with an O-200 under a note in the TCDS.

This comment is coming from a non-A&P so take it for its limited value...First check the TCDS sheet for your plane (like A-696) to see if the propeller has been certified by Taylorcraft for your engine/airframe combination. If not it may have been STC'd by the manufacturer or another entity. Check the FAA's STC database for the listings under the various Taylorcraft TCDS owners. Or, it may have been previously Field Approved by another aircraft owner that you're aware of. If so, obtain copies of substantiating records for that aircraft from the FAA on CD. Or, it may be eligible for a Field Approval via a review by a designated engineering representative such as Certified Aeronautical Products. For example having a Piper PA-11 with the desired prop on an A-65, or having the engine manufacturer previously test the engine and propeller combination, may make it eligible via engineering support (out of my job class now so no more),

Gary

[cvavon]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

The 74/43 is a good prop on a A65 but on a C85 it's to much pitch had one on my plane for a wile and had it repitched to 41 it helped but the Sensenich 72/40 on my C85 is much better.If i remember the difference between a 1B90 and a 1A90 is the B has square tips and the A has round tips.

[labe0202]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

I paid 2700 for mine, with no logs, fixed pitch props don't normally have a log. 1A90 and 1B90 are interchangeable per McCauley, direct interchange. Tim

Even if McCauley says they're interchangeable what do the feds think if it isn't in the TCDS? The McCauley type cert says, "Models 1A90 series and 1B90-CM, or 1C90-ALM and 1C90-CLM are sufficiently similar aerodynamically and vibrationwise to permit interchangeability in the same diameter and static r.p.m. without a flight test." So McCauley definitely says they're interchangeable but the BC-12D TCDS still specifically only says 1A90.

[N96337]

Re: Engine Upgrade Cost

They're the manufacturer...the Feds will go with their recommendations. That recommendation did not come without proving and testing.