O-290 Supercub?

[Cardiff Kook]

Thoughts on an 0-290 in PA-18 105/135?

Upsides?
Downsides?

support/parts/overhaul an issue?


Can the engine be easily swapped with a more supported model down the road? If so- which engine and ballpark cost?

Much thanks.

 

[supercrow]

I have flown the 0290's and they were good engines for their time. The D-2 is hard to tell from the 0320 performance wise and burned less fuel. Having said that I wouldn't buy one in or out of an aircraft simply because they are no longer supported by lycoming and parts are crazy expensive when you can find them. I just avoid them and go with 0320's.

 

[Herc]

I just pulled an O-290-D2 from my plane and replaced it with an O-320. The only reason I replaced it is because it was due for an overhaul and finding parts can be a nightmare. Fuel burn was excellent and it was light. I still felt like I had plenty of power in all but a hard climb.

*Edit* you asked for ballpark cost of upgrading. I'm just short of 50k right now in my upgrade process. This cost includes the O-320-B2B overhauled by Lycon, core charge, oil cooler, alternator, sutton exhaust, engine monitor, all STCs required, GW increase (needed for cub crafters 320 stc) and all labor.

 

[flynlow]

Thoughts on an 0-290 in PA-18 105/135?

Upsides?
Downsides?

support/parts/overhaul an issue?


Can the engine be easily swapped with a more supported model down the road? If so- which engine and ballpark cost?

Much thanks.

Easy, not cheap ( but you already knew that)

I rebuilt a 320 with all new internals ( crank , cam, etc)
New mount, baffles, prop, carb, rebuilt mags, etc.

$3000 A&P

$35k


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[Cardiff Kook]

Is the engine swap easy? As in are the controls in the same place, mounts, etc?

How much is a o-320?

Are any of the parts off the o-290 such mags, starter, etc interchangeable?

I see $50k about and $35k as numbers.

Plane in question already has the GW increase.

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[Cardiff Kook]

I guess what im saying is I am looking at a plane w an o-290 which is priced below a comparable o-320 (as it should be.)

If it's $25k and just and easy swap for an o-320 swap out I can factor that in for down the road. If it's $50k and the whole plane has to be pulled apart that is a different consideration.

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[dgapilot]

You will at least need an engine and prop. You can figure maybe $10k for a runout O-320 needing overhaul and upwards of $25-$30k for a fresh overhauled O-320. Depending on the prop you choose, figure another $5 to $7k for new and maybe $3.5k for used.

Engine mount, exhaust and cowl are the same. Not sure about engine baffles or oil cooler. You will also need a different tach.

Labor to change the engine, you can figure something on the order of 15 to 35 hours depending on what repairs you find once you pull things apart..


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[bob turner]

Fly it until the engine hollers "uncle," then sell it and get another with a newer engine. You will be 60 then, and probably somebody will have invented a better engine for Cubs.

 

[ak49flyer]

Did the swap from an o-235 on one a few years ago- already had the GW increase tubes so just needed the STC’s. 600 hr. O-320 with carb- $3750. (Sold as core from another upgrade- old overhaul but I’d been doing the maintenance on it so I knew it- 6-700 hrs later still going strong with no jug changes or metal) Reused mags and starter. B&c alternator from a salvage yard- $400 plus brackets from Atlee. $2500 for a borer prop, several hundred $$ for stc’s, new mount rubbers, etc; still well under $10k. It can be done very affordably if you’re willing to shop and wait and buy pieces as they come available...

 

[ak49flyer]

Baffles can be cobbled to work and just stick a new redline on the tach- not saying it’s the best way, just saying the expensive way isn’t the only way...

 

[1934A]

Buy the 0-290 powered cub if a thorough pre-buy checks out, and fly the hell out of it. Take the money you saved over the 0-320 cub and buy avgas. Over the next few years, you'll learn what you really want and need in a cub, so start a list, and 10 years from now, build an experimental exactly how you want it. Then sell the 0-290 cub for what you gave for it.