PA-12 rebuild/engine mount question.

[PerryB]

In the spring I'll be taking my '12 in for a general refurbishing,fabric and paint. It has a 150 and pretty much all the popular bush mods.(VG,flap,18 gear/H.stab/trim,Borer etc.). It presently has the Kenmore mount and I'm considering going to the Crosswinds STOL (short) mount to get the C.G. back a bit and have the option of going to 160 hp. down the road when its time for engine work. I figured if I'm going to do it, this would be the time. How bad does rear engine accessibility become with the short mount? Does it swing like an '18? I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to need in the way of cowling pieces and exhaust also. Is it worth the hassle/expense? Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[mike mcs repair]

... Crosswinds STOL (short) mount......... How bad does rear engine accessibility become with the short mount? Does it swing like an '18? ....

yes, it swings just like -18.....

 

[sierra bravo]

You'll need all new cowl parts. I started with a PA-18 bottom cowl and nose bowl and Mike fabricated the rest. On my short mount project I elected to use a Supercub exhaust system and eventually added a Hot Rod muffler. If I was doing another PA-12 I'd take the same path.

Scooter7779H is off the grid for a week or two but if you have time to wait and would like to explore an honest discussion of the characteristics and flight tendencies of a 160hp PA-12 in Kenmore mount compared to a Crosswinds mount? I can't think of a better person to talk to.

 

[windy]

When I put the 150 hp on my -12, I used the Crosswinds short mount, but with hindsight, I wished I'd have kept the long mount. The best thing I ever did, though was to put the 180 hp engine on the -12 with the Crosswind conversion kit, which comes with the cowling, engine mount, baffles, etc.

 

[jrb]

I have a modded 12 with long mount. I upgraded from an old tired 150 to a lycon 160 about a year and a half ago. Whole new animal with the new motor. Don't think I'd bother changing mount until you need to pull motor.

 

[AlaskaAviator]

Don't know why you would want to add a bunch of weight to the tail with the short mount. Unless you put a 180 with a 90 inch prop on it to compensate.