Overhaul an O-360 for an investment?

[UteM20F]

Hello friends,

We have a Comanche 180 that suffered an off-airport landing that totaled the airframe.  The only good thing is that we would not have a Mooney if the Comanche wouldn't have been lost.

We kept the fuselage for a play area for my grandkids.  We suspect the engine is fine after the NTSB inspection and report.  Knowing the cost of a new or overhauled engine, and the time it takes to find one, I wonder if it would make sense to send the engine off to be field overhauled and once finished, sell it.  The other option is to sell the engine now as a core.  I'd love to know your thoughts on the chances I'd have of making a few bucks vs. the risks involved.  

Here are the particulars:  O-360-A1A.  2400 hours SOH.  Engine last ran May 2021, when it had a no-power windmilling prop strike.  About 400 STOH.  Airplane was stored in dry climates after the incident, near Boise ID and now, near Salt Lake City, UT.

Thanks,

Ute

[Utah20Gflyer]

Given the unknown and variable costs associated with overhauling an engine I would say sell it as a core.  If you have to repair the case and buy a new crank that isn’t going to increase the value of the engine to a buyer but could put you upside down in the deal.  

[KSMooniac]

Sell it as a core.  If I were looking to buy an engine, either as an experienced Mooney owner or a homebuilder, I would not pay much for a random field overhauled engine as I would much rather have it field overhauled under my supervision and specs.  (That's what I did on my Mooney!)  Maybe you could find a buyer in a bind that needs a running engine ASAP, but you would need to sell it for a price of core + overhaul cost, and you would not want to take a core back in exchange.

To get maximum value out of it, you might want to find a test stand where you can run it and take a video, as well as provide some borescope pics inside each cylinder to show the walls and valves.  My semi-local engine shop has a stand, so perhaps you could find one and pay a little money to get that done.  

[UteM20F]

Thanks gentlemen, that's exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping to get.  I agree that selling it as a core makes the most sense.  Next, where do I go to sell it as a core?  Just advertise on trade-a-plane and other such places?

Ute

[Rmfriday]

why not list it in the clasifieds here first?

i think the O-360 A1A is in a buch of early Mooneys

[KSMooniac]

I'd start here, but you have to be a site supporting to create classifieds.  Barnstormers.com is also a great place.