Towner

And it's replacement...

I would Iran the engine if it was lower time, but not with almost 1800 hours. For those asking about the tanks, 54 gallon bladders kept full the whole time! Fuel coming through is clean! I did drain most of the old fuel when we started work and put new stuff in it. The panel is old, but should work fine for vfr and light ifr. I'm sure it will be upgraded eventually by a new owner. It really comes down to an engine, which I'll know for sure probably this week if it's gonna be signed off. If so, annual is complete except needs transponder check. No ads, but the shop has a wingtip version that was supposed to be used on another plane. They said they would make a deal on it, but I thought it best no to add it in case a new owner wanted something more advanced. Nice thing about the airframe is no damage history. Hard to find. Bad thing is not a single speed mod! Also hard to find!

I appreciate the the thoughts on the overhaul route. I figured if it was done by a well known outfit, people would be happy and it would make it easier to sell. After a couple of posted comments, I see that may not be the case!

Thanks for the encouragement for a med, but it won't happen. It's now light sport for me. I bought a flight design in December and it's been a blast, but sucks that it only has two seats. Family vacations in the plane are now out of the question. It's still faster than the old cherokee I once owned! An f or j model mooney was what I always wanted. At least I had one and got to put about 500 hours on it. I kept it for me, hoping the medical changes would let me fly it again, but it is not gonna happen. Just happy to be flying anything again!

Thanks for the info on MooneyFlyer. Being out of the game for 10 years is like starting over on plane info!

The annual is basically done. Engine is running. Fuel flow and ignition are good, but I'm worried about cylinders and cam from sitting. Did a cold compression check,, but not warm yet. I think the cylinders will be within compression tolarances, but probably on the low side. We will be checking more into this next week, but otherwise any major work is done. If it needs an overhaul and I sell it "as is", what is a fair price? How about if the engine is signed off, just old and tired? I really don't know where to start for pricing. I probably won't go the overhaul route because of the unknown factor, plus if someone wants a new overhaul, they would probably prefer to have it done at their shop of choice. I guess my biggest issue is value. I'm not looking to rip anyone off, but I don't want to get screwed either. Obviously, I'm not trying to hide anything or I wouldn't be posting it here. I'm just trying to get a game plan together for when it is officially for sale in the next week or two. I haven't been in the Mooney market for 20 years and never had to deal with pricing a plane with a really tired or run out engine. By the way, thanks to Light Sport, I am flying again!

I have a 1967 F model that has been a hanger queen for 10 years. Realizing I won't get a medical, it is time to sell. Here is my problem... The airframe has 3800 hours on it, the engine has almost 1800 smoh. I was putting it through an annual so I could sell it. Sadly, they didn't borescope the engine first. While we are still tinkering with the engine, I think it really needs another overhaul. Do I try to sell it as is, or send the engine off to Jewel for an overhaul before trying to sell it? How much should I be looking at for a sale price in both conditions. Other suggestions are appreciated too. A little more about the plane; airframe is in really good shape. No corrosion issues. Airframe annual was just completed. Paint and glass are in pretty good shape. Interior is older, but in good shape. No rips or tears, plastic is good except panels by feet. Avionics are old (155 and 170b), but I believe everything works except the Brittain auto pilot. It does have a fuel flow computer. Some of the work in the last month; new main gear pucks, new battery, new elt battery, all new fuel and oil lines in the engine compartment, fuel servo just rebuilt and a few other items. It's time to sell, I'm just not sure which way to go and a reasonable value with or without o/h. Thanks in advance!

Fuel bladders hopefully prevented any fuel leaks. They were kept full during the down time. I really don't expect any corrosion issues either. Of course, you never know. My biggest concern is the engine. I realize there will be a some other areas that will have to be dealt with during annual because it has sat so long, but I really do feel confident in the airframe. For a high time engine, it was running great b4 letting it sit. I agree with earlier comments that I should have let others fly it instead of sitting. Talking to a couple of mechanics around here, they've actually had pretty good luck with engines that have sat for several years. Maybe that will work out too.

I think it would have been a great idea if I would have had someone else fly it instead of letting it sit, but it's to late to make up for that. I think I was probably a little selfish anyway and didn't want anyone else flying my plane! Oh well... As far as putting a new engine in it, I don't think that it would be cost effective. I'd be interested in others opinions on that though. I am only a 15 minute drive to Lycon! Finances aren't much of a problem. If I found out putting an engine in it would be cost effective to sell it, it wouldn't be a problem. I just don't want to throw money away though. If I was still able to fly, I'm sure the current engine would have been well over TBO and I would have probably have had it rebuilt for me by now! 10 years ago, I planned on eventually upgrading the avionics a little too. Well, they didn't have Foreflight when I quit flying (or at least I wasn't aware of it). Geez, it's awesome! It's like cheating compared to paper charts, manual weight and balance, handheld GPS system, etc. I don't know how much I'd be willing to spend on panel upgrades now. Flying now with others who have some pretty high tech panels, they still have an iPad with Foreflight turned on while flying! A lot has changed in 10 years!

RobertGary Lemoore and the area has changed some, but it’s really still the same. Hanford is growing pretty fast recently, but Lemoore is moving at a slower pace. We do have a bullet train being built right in Hanford. I spoke with one of the large contractors for the train at the airport today. He commutes in his Mooney!

Thanks again for all the input. I never expected it to sit that long. I kept hearing promises of new medical rules that would allow me to fly it. While basic med is a great improvement, it's not gonna work for me. Then, I was begging the wife to get her ppl. She would go back and forth on her willingness to learn, but finally said "no". What I expected to be a short term down time for the airplane kept getting longer and longer. I'm not one of those guys who buys an airplane and allows it to sit when everything says I can fly! Was putting about 85 or 90 hours a year on the plane before parking it. I was heartbroken. Finally gave up and went the light sport route. I bought it right before Xmas and have put over 65 hours on it so far. I certainly appreciate all the info about selling "as is" vs. Flying. I think I agree that a Flying airplane is the way to go. Now, the work begins! Please feel free to keep giving ideas and suggestions. Not Flying for 10 years was bad on not only the plane, but my knowledge of what's going on in the airplane world.

Thanks again for all the input. I never expected it to sit that long. I kept hearing promises of new medical rules that would allow me to fly it. While basic med is a great improvement, it's not gonna work for me. Then, I was begging the wife to get her ppl. She would go back and forth on her willingness to learn, but finally said "no". What I expected to be a short term down time for the airplane kept getting longer and longer. I'm not one of those guys who buys an airplane and allows it to sit when everything says I can fly! Was putting about 85 or 90 hours a year on the plane before parking it. I was heartbroken. Finally gave up and went the light sport route. I bought it right before Xmas and have put over 65 hours on it so far. I certainly appreciate all the info about selling "as is" vs. Flying. I think I agree that a Flying airplane is the way to go. Now, the work begins! Please feel free to keep giving ideas and suggestions. Not Flying for 10 years was bad on not only the plane, but my knowledge of what's going on in the airplane world.

Hanford, Ca

Thanks for the opinions. No, it is not in annual and doesn't have ads-b. I'll probably get the annual done, but am wondering if it would be better to allow a new owner to put in the ads-b system they want. Talking to a couple of shops about the annual now. While not as cheap as a normal annual, it doesn't appear that it will be a ridiculousl price either as long as no major issues are found. While I know that sitting that long isn't good, I think there will be no major issues on the airframe due to hangering and dry climate. For several years, I'd occasionally run up the engine for awhile, getting all Temps up. When the battery finally quit, that stopped.

Looking for ideas and pricing for selling a 1967 Mooney M20F. The plane hasn't been flown in 10 years due to medical. Was flying regularly when parked. I kept it (hangered) hoping medical rules would change in my favor, but no luck. Bought a LSA so at least I'm flying again. Anyway, airframe has about 3600 hours, but engine is about 1750 SMOH. Older panel. Paint and interior in pretty good shape. Do I sell it as is or get it flying to sell it? What is it worth each way? Just looking for ideas. Would love to keep it, but can't fly it, so it's gonna have to go...