New prop advice

[Andy]

I'm a first time plane owner needing to gain some quick experience for some decisions that should be left for a more experienced Mooney owner. The plane is a 76 M20F and despite having a clean prepurchase evaluation completed last September I was told that I needed a new prop in addition to other work. ~$17k in total. Most or all of the grease in the hub has leaked out and much of it is on the inside of the prop spinner. The prop shop won't do a reseal because despite only having 680 TSPH it has been over 10 years. They also can't do an overhaul because the blades are not within overhaul spec. That leaves me needing new or used blades or an entirely new prop. I called 5 prop shops and none of them have access to used blades (F7666A2) and new blades with overhaul/assembly with my hub would cost between $10-11k (it has the new hub that doesn't require the AD - HCC2YK1BF). The new top prop was quoted at $9300. If I could find used blades I was told it would be about $8k. Where could I find used overhaul-able F7666A2 blades or would folks recommend I just go with the top prop?

 

Edited May 26, 2016 by Andy

[KSMooniac]

Were your current blades declared un-airworthy, or just not enough material left for an overhaul?  Those are two different conditions.  Be wary of prop shops pushing overhauls when they're not needed as it removes material from metal blades and shortens the life.  I would find a different prop shop and ask to get your existing prop resealed and have the blades inspected for airworthiness, but not to be overhauled unless there is damage.  I doubt you can find good used blades, but I've never really looked that hard.  Usually they get damaged and the hub is OK vs. the other way around.

If you decide to spend money, I'd go for a new prop and get your old one back as the hub has value to someone who still has an AD hub but good blades.  You could sell it to recover some of the cost of the new prop.  Ditto for the spinner assembly.

OSH is a good time to shop for a new prop due to show specials.  Go for the 2-blade Top Prop or MT composite 3-blade.  Don't go for a metal 3-blade option for your F.

[jetdriven]

give kenny a call at San Antonio Propeller. If he thinks he can do it, ship to him for a teardown, repaint, and reseal.  600$ plus freight is a hell of a lot cheaper than 9 grand, plus freight.

[Ron McBride]

If you get a new prop, I may be interested in the Hub.  I have great blades and am doing the Eddie Current inspection every 100 hours.

Ron

[garytex]

The above is good advice

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Andy said:

I'm a first time plane owner needing to gain some quick experience for some decisions that should be left for a more experienced Mooney owner. The plane is a 76 M20F and despite having a clean prepurchase evaluation completed last September I was told that I needed a new prop in addition to other work. ~$17k in total. Most or all of the grease in the hub has leaked out and much of it is on the inside of the prop spinner. The prop shop won't do a reseal because despite only having 680 TSPH it has been over 10 years. They also can't do an overhaul because the blades are not within overhaul spec. That leaves me needing new or used blades or an entirely new prop. I called 5 prop shops and none of them have access to used blades (F7666A2) and new blades with overhaul/assembly with my hub would cost between $10-11k (it has the new hub that doesn't require the AD - HCC2YK1BF). The new top prop was quoted at $9300. If I could find used blades I was told it would be about $8k. Where could I find used overhaul-able F7666A2 blades or would folks recommend I just go with the top prop?

 

The grease leak requires a bit of investigation.  Is it from the hub/ blade roots, from a faulty zero grease fitting or from a crack.  I'd clean everything thoroughly, inspect it carefully and if nothing obvious is found,  re grease the prop and ground run it a higher power then reinspect.  If nothing found fly it for a short flight and reinspect.

Clarence

[Cody Stallings]

680hrs!!!!!!

Give me a Call. 

[Hank]

Andy--

call Cody. Propellers are his full time business.

[Guitarmaster]

CALL CODY!!

The prop shop in Wheeling graciously offered to sell me a new prop because my prop was over 10 years old and needed the initial inspection.

Cody hooked me up! Inspected, resealed and accomplished a couple sb's.

My prop had 306 hours on it.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard, Andy...

You have got a lot of advice from people that know Mooneys and props.

remember to update your Avatar data fields.  It will help these fine people to help you even better!

A general location will help locate services.

Good luck with your next steps.

Best regards,

-a-