262 Mod on Mooney 231

[manoflamancha]

Hello my fellow Mooniacs

What are your thoughts on the 231 aircraft that have had the 262 mod? Worth it or risk? How are parts availability? I found one for sale and information below

http://www.mooneymart.com/modifications/100MMA.php

[rainman]

As a 231 owner, I'd gladly swap for the conversion all other things being equal. It's a better engine, much better cowl flap..etc.

[rainman]

That all being said, buy one that is already converted, don't spend all that cash. If you want a 252 get one, or the 262 already done. With all the planes on the market in any 3-6 month period, don't buy a fixer-upper. Someone has already upgraded the avionics , interior, etc, on the plane that fits your mission, and you can get all those upgrades at a steep discount if they've already been done.

[manoflamancha]

Agree I guess my biggest concern would be the cost to replace the engine way past TBO. I'd be looking at 40K plus the first year or two if the engine goes to hell in a hand basket.

[KSMooniac]

It is a great conversion with all Mooney parts, so there are no support concerns beyond a normal 231 or 252.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[carusoam]

Since you asked...

Be mindfully aware of who CJ is. Searching will be easy.

The site you posted has his name at the top.

[fantom]

Since you asked...

Be mindfully aware of who CJ is. Searching will be easy.

The site you posted has his name at the top.

Excellent advise!

"There be dragons there."

[Z W]

I fly one. Good conversion. Parts are no problem. All from a 231 or 252 except for the #2 alternator and the voltage regulators, which are common parts I think shared with some Cessna 172's. Flies just like a 252.

 

They are a great value purchased on the open market. Doing the conversion on a 231 no longer makes any economic sense. 

[manoflamancha]

Thanks Zane,

If I get a killer deal and the planes checks out then it might be a good one.

[markejackson02]

I fly one. Good conversion. Parts are no problem. All from a 231 or 252 except for the #2 alternator and the voltage regulators, which are common parts I think shared with some Cessna 172's. Flies just like a 252.

 

They are a great value purchased on the open market. Doing the conversion on a 231 no longer makes any economic sense. 

 

Owning a plane doesn't make economic sense 

[manoflamancha]

True unless one has a business and can at least deduct the cost.

[fantom]

True unless one has a business and can at least deduct the cost.

So then the rest of us pay for part of your hobby transportation.

[Z W]

One other thing to be aware of is that not all of the 262 conversions received all the bells and whistles of the 252.  Some lack speed brakes, heated prop, rounded windows, split rear seats, maybe a few other items.  Others got all of those items added, if the original 231 didn't have them already.  So, investigate a bit before you buy.  The conversions were done largely at the owner's discretion, and so some owners opted not to add everything involved.  I think the only real constant is the 252's TSIO-360-MB engine.

[ArtVandelay]

I thought the 262 mod was a firewall forward conversation only,?

[fantom]

I thought the 262 mod was a firewall forward conversation only,?

It was.

I think Bennett used to own one.

[Bennett]

Yes, the 261/262 conversion was basically a firewall forward conversion - engine and prop, and a new cowl. It remained a 12 volt system, but as I recall, a second alternator was added. There were many speed mods available such as speed brakes, all sorts of fairings, one piece belly pan, moving antennas into the wing tips, etc. some of these mods were part of the conversion, but at this point I don't recall which ones. It was a great airplane. I flew her to Alaska, Mexico , many islands of the Caribbean, and cris crossed the country many times. Long range tanks were a huge help, but not part of the conversion. Didn't mind the square windows - there was a silly kit to add inserts to round the corners, but not the interior window frames. The conversion used the 252 POH, with a couple of exceptions - mostly about the electrical system. The service ceiling was 28,000'; the same as the 252. I flew her at FL 270 a number of times on my west - east flights.

At the time I had her converted, the cost of a decent airframe and the conversion was about half of the cost of a new 252, and functionally was virtually a 252. The only difference I know between the 261 and the 262 was marketing - Mod Works v Mod Squad. Oh I forgot, the conversion added "pressurized" mags.

[231LV]

Agree I guess my biggest concern would be the cost to replace the engine way past TBO. I'd be looking at 40K plus the first year or two if the engine goes to hell in a hand basket.

Try closer to $55k....

[manoflamancha]

Ouch that's painful!