C145 Major or ???

[macdon221]

Hello all,

If one was in a position where the c145 would have to be major'ed for c170, does anyone have a cost value that would be assocoated with that. Or, what are the other options, not interested in going to the 180hp 0-360. I say this only because I am guessing the cost would be much more.

Thanks

[Zzz]

It depends on where you locate the O-360 and what shape it's in. You can probably be assured a new O-360 + STC + labor to convert would be twice the price of a C-145 MOH.

I've seen major overhaul estimates for C145/O300 reported by 170 owners anywhere from $10,000 to $18,000. It depends on what parts are reusable from the core.

[ccurrie]

I paid 8700.00 for a mid time 360 and just under 12000.00 for the conversion kit and stc if you stay fixed pitch youd be in the hunt. but I guess youd have to pay someone to do it yet. and there are allot of incidentals.

[hotrod150]

Are you maybe gonna buy an airplane with a run-out or blown engine? Or just getting an idea for down the road? Buying a low-to-mid time used engine from a 170 or Swift owner upgrading to a 360 Lyc might be an option.

Eric

[hotrod150]

Curious what you had into the engine upgrade when the dust settled.
I had the decision to major the C145 in my 170 made for me 7-1/2 years ago when a connecting rod broke in flight. (Yeehaw!) In spite of having to buy a few above-and-beyond replacement items (rods,crankcase, & cam) along with the normal OH parts, I only had about $14,700 into it- and that also included an OH'd carb, starter & starter clutch, alternator, new mags, & 6 new cylinders. Base price for a C-145/O-300 major at that overhaul shop was right around $10K, including new cylinders but not accessories.

Eric

[Zzz]

If I remember correctly, the receipt for my last major stapled into my logs was about $11K in 1999 from Central Cylinder. I'd have to dig back into them to tell you what was recycled.

[hicountry]

I was going to mention Central Cylinder in Omaha but I see Zane mentioned them. Have been to their shop and met George and the crew. Had some cylinder work from the 170B done there and they yellow tagged some parts for some work on a Continental A75 for the cub. The turn around time has always been good.
HC

[mtv]

Don't forget that, if you are going to go to an O-360, you're going to have to purchase, right off the top, an engine core, a propeller (I'm not sure if any of the currently available STC's permit a FP prop, ALL engine accessories, AND the STC kit to install the engine.

The kit alone to install is over $12K, I believe.

My advice: sell the airplane, and buy a good 180 or find a good engine shop to do a field overhaul on the stock engine, if you can live with the performance.

MTV

[a64pilot]

If you can find an A&P friend, it will cut costs considerably. I think the parts and machine shop costs to overhaul my IO-540 was around $12,000 with new Milleniums etc., but I didn't pay myself anything.
The external appliances, vacuumn pump, Alt., starter, yes even the mags and ignition harness don't have to be replaced. It's nice to if money is no object because it pretty much ensures a trouble free engine for many years, but if you can't afford it, spend the money on the engine internals and scrimp on the externals. It's a whole easier to replace a mag than a cam.
It's possible to lose the case or crank, be prepared. Send the case off to be inspected, repaired and re-alodined, send the crank and cam and rods off too. Replace the cylinders if possible.
I think with a little luck and help from an A&P, you can do it for $10,000 or so.