Propeller Choices

[flyntgr1]

I'm working on a 66 M20E and It's about time for getting a prop. It seems the concenses on this site is to go with the 2 blade Hartzell Schimitar. At this point I would have to agree with that as people seem to want 50 to 75% of the cost of the Schimitar for a used C2YK prop. I've read good things about the MT 3 blade other than cost and Hartzell 3 blades being slower and heavier. My question is about the McCauley 3 blade Schimitar. Does any one here have this prop? If so, how is the preformance compared to the other options? What did it cost?

[Cody Stallings]

Your talking about the 400 Series. Belive it's a C430 that fits the IO-360.

it's a good prop, suffers the same problem the 3 way Hartzell has, added blade, more drag, less speed.

But you do have the built in added feature of knowing at some point it's going to poop red oil all over your plane....

Just like the C3YR Hartzell, the C430 looks good an climbs like a home sick angel

[Cody Stallings]

[flyntgr1]

That doesn't look good!

[Cody Stallings]

It may not look all that good, buts it's typical. That's just a leaking blade O-ring

[kerry]

I was told the McCauley 3 blade does not do well on the Mooney.  Causes a lot of vibration to the airframe. 

[kerry]

I was quoted 13K for the McCauley Blackmac.  I found a 0 time Blackmac in Florida that was never hung on the plane for 5K.  I was seriously considering it but after hearing about the vibration problem I settled on the Hartzell Top prop.  I'm guessing the gentlemen in Florida still has the Blackmac.  If you want his contact info PM me and I'll forward his email to you. 

[flyntgr1]

Thanks guys for the info. Sounds like I need to stay away from all 3 blades. I think I'm going to go with the Hartzell 2 blade Schimitar. That is unless some one knows of a good deal on an original prop. Like if one of you guys were upgrading.

[MyNameIsNobody]

B3D36C424/745A McCauley hanging on my bird since '05. 700+ Hours Later I have lost no fillings and all is well with regard to the flow of any oil or grease red or otherwise...

I love my prop on my IO360A1A. It is not slow. It's a Mooney.

[flyntgr1]

What kind of performance are you seeing compared to the original? My understanding is that new 2 blade Schimitar loses a little on initial acceleration, but adds a few knots cruise. Where the old three blade adds climb, but loses a few knots at cruise. Cruise is primary for me as I probably will not fly out of anything shorter than 3600 feet with no obstructions. Heck, I used to base out of Huntsville international, which it's short runway is 9000 feet.

[MyNameIsNobody]

Has always had a 3-blade prop. I value the climb performance. Three blade props are heavier, more expensive to repair/service and slightly slower in cruise...If you are replacing go with a two-blade....BUT not all 3-blade props leak and are high vibe. Just balancing out the 3-blade haters that speak of absolutes...Not so much for my experience with a 3-blade McCauley prop.

Form follows function=2-blade on an IO-360.

[Browncbr1]

I have the hartzell scimitar. I don't have anything to compare it to, as it was on there from the previous owner. He said it is quieter than the original.

There is a torsional vibration restriction between 2350-2500rpm above 24" mp. Other than that, it seems good. I have never had a problem with climb or TO performace, but I haven't flown in high dens alt. when I was looking for planes, I didn't look at any with 3 blades because the mooney is already nose heavy. Additional nose weight requires more drag at the elevator to keep in cruise trim, thereby slowing down. I also heard the 3 blades are louder. My 2 cents.

[kerry]

I didn't see any top speed performance gains with the top prop vs. the original Hartzell prop I had on my plane.  It does take me more time to slow my plane down on final approch with the Top Prop.

[DXB]

My C model came with the Top Prop installed- I was later delighted to learn that it took away the rpm yellow arc altogether for my O-360-A1D- too bad it doesn't do the same for its fuel-injected sibling.   Not sure what the expected speed gain is with it, but my otherwise fairly stock plane seems to consistently exceed performance chart expectations in cruise, and I'm not at all hurting for climb performance.

[Oscar Avalle]

I was quoted 13K for the McCauley Blackmac.  I found a 0 time Blackmac in Florida that was never hung on the plane for 5K.  I was seriously considering it but after hearing about the vibration problem I settled on the Hartzell Top prop.  I'm guessing the gentlemen in Florida still has the Blackmac.  If you want his contact info PM me and I'll forward his email to you. 

Kerry

can you send me the information of the Gentleman in Florida. I may be interested.

[Bob_Belville]

The 2 blade Scimitar for my M20E was $9000 including new spinner. The prohibited rpm zone differs from the original set up. No continuous operation between 2350 and 2550 if MP greater than 24". 

[flyntgr1]

Kerry

can you send me the information of the Gentleman in Florida. I may be interested.

We contacted the gentleman and ended up buying it from him.

[flyntgr1]

FYI to all.  That gentlemen has various M20A parts he wants to get rid of.  He mentioned a he had an engine analyzer.  If anyone needs something, PM me and I'll send you his email.