I am looking for an 0-360 for a homebuilt. Is it generally better to buy a run out and overhaul it, or a running mid time engine and hope not to need to overhaul it. My desire is most bang for the $$ and to fly, not tinker. Has anyone had experiences that they would do again, or not again !
Thanks,
larry
This is the classic $18,000 question.Originally Posted by LJM
A component of this discussion that has to be settled first is how long do you want to fly this engine? Expecting the engine to be serviceable for just a few years before selling the plane is different from wanting an engine that will give you twenty years of reliable service.
This is a prime example of applying the quote from the old Fram oil filter commercial "You can pay me now or pay me later".
I purchased a 1200 hr O-320 with good logs from a salvage yard in 1998 for my RV-6. My plan was to roll the dice and hopefully get a few years service before overhaul. The engine ran pretty well, even flew it from Alabama to Arizona and back. But the second summer a couple of cylinders went soft and I decided to do a top overhaul. After pulling the cylinders I could see two cam lobes were completely shot. The engine received a major overhaul and I have flown it for 19 years with excellent service.
But.....the original cost of purchase plus the cost of overhaul was close to what I could have purchased a new engine from Vans. So the question for someone who wants an engine for extended use is......do I postpone overhaul costs or just pop for the new engine up front and fly many years with only routine servicing? In the long haul, it may very well come out about the $$ame either way.
Your choice.
Last edited by Sam Buchanan; 06-12-2020 at 07:42 AM.
Sam gives good advice.
I’ll add that for me to put a used engine on a plane w/o tearing it down, I would have to know the owner personally and know how they maintained it, how often they flew, etc. I would not take the word of anyone on how good it was.
I can add that in light of my experience I have advised several builders to buy a new engine up front. Even if the thing has to be financed the peace-of-mind of starting the new-aircraft journey with a fresh engine is worth the initial pain of engine purchase. There are no free rides in aviation.
"You can pay me now or pay me later".
My plan is to install a run out but serviceable engine in the new airplane for at least the phase one period. I don't want to be breaking in a new engine and test flying a new aircraft at the same time. I'll build or buy a new engine after the aircraft is tested, trimmed, the bugs removes, etc. and sell the first engine or find another project for it.
You aren't going to want to take your brand-spankin' new toy out of service to change out engines.......
Hundreds of new RVs have been successfully flown in Phase 1 with a new engine. I've heard the argument you proposed many times but never seen a new engine/aircraft combination prove to be a problem. I wouldn't want to risk my new aircraft with an engine somebody has already worn out.....
But I'm glad we have choices and I'm confident you will do what works best for you. Best wishes for an enjoyable journey!
Last edited by Sam Buchanan; 06-12-2020 at 02:03 PM.
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