Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes WTB: O-200A (Mid Time Running or Serviceable Core)

Hey gang -

I am inching ever closer to an overhaul on my O-200. Exploring several options, including full OH on my current engine or trying to find a decent mid time running engine. I talked to Paul at Kline Aviation yesterday. He needs 10 weeks for the overhaul but said that they are swamped, so I'd probably be looking at a 3-4 month downtime if I eventually go that route. I'll go stir crazy if I'm grounded that long.

So, finding a mid time engine to swap out when necessary seems logical. So, too, does finding a core and sending it to Paul to OH and then swap out when necessary.

Anybody know where I can find either one? I've been through the Barnstormers engines as well as the usual salvage dealers, but nothing so far.

-Jim

If you find a "mid-time" engine, do you plan on just hanging it on your plane and fly the remaining time on that engine?
Purchasing an engine "as removed" has risks, as you can only go by what the seller tells you about it. You may never get the true story on how it was operated and maintained.. The biggest question on this type of engine is WHY was it removed? Most folks don't just remove a running engine off an airplane unless something happened. Yes, there are "wind damaged" planes, and yes, maybe a truck plowed into the plane on the ground.....
If you decide to get a used engine ( no matter what you think, it will be USED) make sure it has logbooks. Installing a different engine on your plane means you get a new set of engine logs from that engine.
Personally, I would rather put the $4000-$5000 money you would pay for a used mid time engine toward the overhaul of the one you currently have. I know it sucks having your plane down, but renting in the interim would probably be cheaper than buying a 2nd engine.

All excellent points for me to consider Brian. Thanks for the insight.

The kicker for me is the potentially lengthy downtime involved for the overhaul. My wild idea was to see if I could find either a decent used engine or a solid core and then sell my engine when I swap to offset the cost of either one. I've looked at the logs for a few from salvage yards, but they are usually $8-10k for something <1000 SMOH (and even then are often >12 years SMOH). For not a whole lot more I can get a full OH from Kline and a fresh engine in return.

I suspect that I'll ultimately go with a full overhaul when the time comes, and just rent in the interim. This is the first time I've ventured down this path, so I'm just trying to explore and understand all options.

-Jim

You could also sell your plane as is priced accordingly given the engine time, then use that cash plus what you would have spend on an overhaul and get a plane with good engine times to fly without months with no plane.

If down time is a major hurdle for you, buying a factory rebuilt is the quickest way to go.

New engine shows up, swap swap the engines, return the core and you're up and running.

Price of admission is usually steeper but things move along at a pretty good clip, down time is minimal and you'll have a factory engine which typically does add value to your plane versus a field overhaul?

Decisions, decisions.......



Jim

That's an option that I've considered as well. My 14-year-old kid is 6'1" (and still growing) so I've run out of both space and useful load in the 150. I'm renting a 172 for when he wants to fly with me. My dilemma is that the 150 is simply perfect for when I'm solo. Hard to just let it go.

-Jim

Yeah, if finances weren't a factor this would be attractive. Unfortunately, two kids to eventually put through college means that I'm flying on a budget.

Jim

When you buy a used airplane, it usually comes with a used engine. That it's currently installed does not mean it didn't clip a taxiway light, get run low on oil, or suffer other mistreatment some time during its life. Again, you're going by what the seller tells you and any info that's gleaned from the logs (hint: Not all information makes it into logbooks).

As a guy who scraps airplanes on a regular basis, I can tell you that good mid-time engines find themselves in need of a new home for a variety of reasons. I don't understand why you're harshing on the idea of buying a used engine.