252 to Encore Conversion "shopping list"

[N177MC]

We're looking to convert a late model M20K 252 to Encore specs and whilst I have a good idea of what is entailed, a comprehensive "shopping list" would be greatly appreciated !

Anyone have such or know where I might find such ?

Also, perhaps there is a "one-stop" dealer/shop that could provide all new parts needed at a competitive price ?

Thanks!

[LANCECASPER]

 

 

 

Here's a start - there's a lot more if you do a search for "encore conversion" (make sure you put the quotes on your search).

@kortopates and @Parker_Woodruff are two that have done the conversion successfully. 

[gsxrpilot]

Back in the day, you could have pulled the Mooney into an MSC like Don Maxwell's and picked it up a couple of weeks later as an Encore. The problem now will be getting the parts. Some of the parts are very Mooney specific and are just not available at the moment. These include the counter weights for the control surfaces, and gear doors. 

It likely can be done, but it will take some work to source the parts, and some might have to be created as owner produced. You'll need the drawing that details the conversion and that can be ordered from an MSC.

[kortopates]

I had two Savvy clients last year go through the Encore upgrade - nobody this year yet. One of my clients decided to do it when he sent his engine off for overhaul and figured he might as well get the engine overhauled as a -SB for the Encore before he had any idea of airframe/brake upgrade requirements - which is where the real cost lies. Parts prices have been going up significantly the last few years yet I was still very surprised when he got back his invoice for the brake upgrade parts alone at $18,000! Unfortunately since he wanted to get his Mooney flying again he did have to source all his parts new. To give you an idea of parts price inflation, when I got my quote for the brakes parts kit about a dozen years earlier it was only $4K for DUAL brakes. By now I wouldn't be surprised if the cost has doubled again. It used to be you could source master cylinders but original spec's Cleveland have been unobtainable for years leaving us with a Mooney retrofit kit that was nearly $2K a pair alone about 5 years ago when I broke down and gave up finding the original salvage and bought new ones from Mooney. Now the only non-mooney parts you can source from Spruce are the Brake Calipers and Disks - everything else will come from Mooney except new brake hoses which aren't on the list but you'll want and need them and can get from PHT.  

Any MSC can do the job and will have access to the drawings. But now things are much different and as Paul said above, any part that isn't on the shelf now at Mooney is going to take some time to either produce or find salvage. Luckily the Encore brake parts where first used on the longbody Bravo before the Encore was produced.

[LANCECASPER]

If you are shopping for a 252 and plan on an Encore conversion it makes sense to run the numbers. It may make sense to wait until an Encore or Encore conversion comes on the market. Also one thing to really pay close attention to when looking for a 252 is to make sure it has the dual alternators.

[kortopates]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

If you are shopping for a 252 and plan on an Encore conversion it makes sense to run the numbers. It may make sense to wait until an Encore or Encore conversion comes on the market. Also one thing to really pay close attention to when looking for a 252 is to make sure it has the dual alternators.

++1  

Although there were many reasons I upgraded from a 231 to a 252, one of biggest reasons was for the Dual Alternator. I would pass on any that didn't have the dual alternator feature since IMO its not a very serious IFR platform with only one. Adding a second full size alternator after that fact is prohibitively expensive since it requires a different model of a starter adapter and the little backup alternators are well .... still better than just one, but won't make an alternator failure a non-issue. There are few out there too where a prior owner has removed the prop-heat rather than maintain it. Given the cost to re-install it, its yet another reason to pass IMO. 

[N177MC]

Gentlemen - Thanks for the feedback, a little more on our side:

- This is for a presently owned 252 - not shopping for another plane;

- Have already looked at all the previous threads but it's very fragmented, hence looking for a comprehensive "list" ;

- Looks like the best place to start is with the Mooney Drawings, will order today;

- Any other tips, and/or work-arounds appreciated !

[carusoam]

See if you can find Parker’s discussion about when he upgraded his plane to 252 status...

Its been a while, i might be having fuzzy memories...

He was such a young guy with enthusiasm... now he is a bit older guy with enthusiasm... 

Best regards,

-a-

[N177MC]

I big shout out to Paul 'Rocket' Steen - THANKS !