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So I just bought a Starduster One with an O-290G. It's currently flying, but I haven't flown it yet... going to pick it up in a month or so when the weather gets warm enough for a 1000 mile open cockpit cross country trip.
The engine is tired, but the price reflected that. About 600 hours on teh engine. Compressions are around 60, except one at 56 at the last annual. It burns a quart of oil in about 5 hours. I'm hoping I can get a year or two of flying before having to do anything to it, but I don't know?
What are my options? Top overhaul, of course, but parts are scarce ($$)? Chrome cylinders? O-320 jugs? Or swap for a used O-320? I don't really need the extra power, or rather, fuel consumption. Or an O-235? Do the 320 or 235 have the same mounting points or would I need a new engine mount?
One other question: Somewhere in the aircraft papers is a note from the DAR, which I can't find at the moment, saying "aerobatics not recommended" due to the lightweight crankshaft flange. Is this normal? The engine does have some kind of crankshaft flange reinforcement, but I'm not clear what this is. It currently has a metal prop; I'm wondering if a wood prop might be better? It would also alleviate the somewhat nose heavy condition.
The engine is tired, but the price reflected that. About 600 hours on teh engine. Compressions are around 60, except one at 56 at the last annual. It burns a quart of oil in about 5 hours. I'm hoping I can get a year or two of flying before having to do anything to it, but I don't know?
What are my options? Top overhaul, of course, but parts are scarce ($$)? Chrome cylinders? O-320 jugs? Or swap for a used O-320? I don't really need the extra power, or rather, fuel consumption. Or an O-235? Do the 320 or 235 have the same mounting points or would I need a new engine mount?
One other question: Somewhere in the aircraft papers is a note from the DAR, which I can't find at the moment, saying "aerobatics not recommended" due to the lightweight crankshaft flange. Is this normal? The engine does have some kind of crankshaft flange reinforcement, but I'm not clear what this is. It currently has a metal prop; I'm wondering if a wood prop might be better? It would also alleviate the somewhat nose heavy condition.
