M20C prop What works best

[ODL]

Looking for a prop for a M20C. I think the original is an hc-c2yk-1b or -1bf  Is this what I should replace it with or is there something better to install on the plane and where do I find one? 

[Schllc]

23 minutes ago, ODL said:

Looking for a prop for a M20C. I think the original is an hc-c2yk-1b or -1bf  Is this what I should replace it with or is there something better to install on the plane and where do I find one? 

@Cody Stallings

[Hank]

I have a Hartzell 3-blade, will have to check logs for model number. Runs well, smooth, and generally get book speeds.

[AndreiC]

I have been looking for the same kind of prop to replace my 3-blade McCauley on my 1970 E-model, and so I have quite a bit of information for you. (But I gave up on my search for the reasons below.)

1) You could buy the same prop that you have now, used/overhauled, for about $11k, from a guy in Las Vegas who deals in used props. My guess is it is not a great deal. I can get you his info if you want. Alternatively, you could possibly find for about $4-5k a used prop similar to the one you have, but with an earlier hub (not B-style), which requires periodic (100 hour) eddy current inspections. Probably you don't want this.

2) You could buy a brand new Hartzell Top Prop from @Cody Stallings for somewhere around $12-$15k, you need to check with him. I don't know if you need a new spinner with the new prop, but those can be had used for around $500.  Cody is highly recommended by the Mooney community, and at this price it is probably a much better deal than the ones above. Some people complain that the Top Prop has a caution range where it is not recommended to operate the prop between 2350-2550 RPM above 24" MP which they say is a big enough inconvenience.

3) MT makes a nice three blade composite (wood + carbon fiber, I think) propeller that many people say is very nice, but it is quite pricey, probably around $20k my guess (no concrete info). I think the biggest advantage of that prop is that it removes the caution range of the Top Prop, and it is quite smooth from what I understand.

4) Many people do not like the McCauley 3 blade prop that is STCed for the E model (and I suspect also for the C). For this reason you can find quite a few of these used on barnstormers for very reasonable prices ($5-6k), in good condition. I think @Alan Fox for example sells a nice one for $6k, but check compatibility. The main complaint people have is that they say it a) robs you of about 35 lbs of useful load, and that weight is added to the front of the plane, which reduces your cruise speed slightly; and b) it is impossible (or much harder) to balance properly, resulting in higher vibration in the cockpit. a) is definitely true. But for b), I have that prop and had been complaining about vibration, and it turned out it was caused by some slightly loose engine mounts, which when corrected improved things a lot. Also, the prop specialist at Poplar Grove told me that it is very important that the prop be mounted following McCauley's instructions to the letter, and that he sees many such props that are not mounted correctly, contributing to further vibration. He said in his experience he can get these props to be very smooth unless there is something technically wrong with the prop or the engine. I will be going to them in 10 days to have them do their magic and see how that works. I can report back. 

BTW, you did not tell us why you need a new prop. If you have a good condition used prop with a B-hub but with blades that do not pass overhaul limits, you can probably find somewhere serviceable blades to put in that hub for much less money than the $11k the guy in Las Vegas is asking for. A good B-hub is worth quite a bit of money as well, probably north of $3-4k.

[Alan Fox]

I have a freshly overhauled B hub prop still sitting at Stallings , 1st run blades and a b hub ,  9K but it might already be spoken for...  As far as the Mcauley 3 blade , it will need a fresh overhaul , for Artie at new england prop , to sell you an STC ..

[Kevin]

I strongly suggest looking into this one:

https://hartzellprop.com/products/top-prop/mooney/m20a-g-m20j-2-blade/

Increased cruise speed, eliminates the placarded range on the prop using F7666 blades. Prop kit includes new spinner.

[DXB]

7 minutes ago, Kevin said:

I strongly suggest looking into this one:

https://hartzellprop.com/products/top-prop/mooney/m20a-g-m20j-2-blade/

Increased cruise speed, eliminates the placarded range on the prop using F7666 blades. Prop kit includes new spinner.

That's currently the favored go to option for the M20C if you want a new prop. ~12k I think.

The MT prop would be great but is not STC'd for the C model (though it is for the E) - why they left out the C is unclear, but it would need a field approval to install.  

When I talked to the Hartzell folks (who love to trash talk MT) at KOSH2024, they said they were within months of certifying their own composite prop (~18K) for the C.  I still don't see it listed on their website though.  It is available for the long bodies though: https://hartzellprop.com/mooney-m20r-m20s-and-m20tn-composite/

[0TreeLemur]

Find a used B-hub Hartzell if you've got time to look.  Airplane propellers were pretty much figured out by WWII.  Every "new" prop feature since then is a tiny improvement.  The Hartzell Top Prop is now $15k new.  I bought one a few years ago and the paint wouldn't stay on the tips.   They could care less.