Developments on my engine search front. There is now a choice. Seems that the owner of one of the coupes my A&P takes care of is bound and determined to have is O200. His C85 looks good, has 1100 SMOH, 300 STOP. More hours than mine, but mine seems to have had a crappy major. Also has all the accessories, so I can pick the best of mine and the best of his, then sell off the core. $4000.00 takes it. No shipping, plane's on the field. Sounds simple. Only down-side: it's another used engine.
An O200 is, I think, out. The required replacement prop alone would really cost. You do have to replace the prop, right? Or is it possible to cut and re-pitch the current one. Then there's Don's. $9500 gets you the following: he takes a certified C85 case. Puts in a brand new O200 crank, and a fresh C85 cam. All new Continental cylinders, pistons, rods. Everything else to new tolerances. Essentially a new engine, but better because the claim is that, even with the old C85 prop it really pumps out the horsepower. Maybe a bit more than an O200 because, due to legalities and cam profile, the souped-up C85 is allowed more oomph. Down side is the cost, and my old accessories. It will come in handy should I decide to hop over the Rockies. It's a given... ...I'll know what I have and be able to brag about it at time of sale. Heaven knows I'd feel a lot happier with that fresh motor when the wife was right seat. OTOH the used motor could cost me only a couple of grand after I sell the core and my two fully-functioning Eisemann mags (keeping the Slicks for me). It might have another several hundred hours in it. What's to do, what's to do.... Greg
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