Oscar Avalle Posted May 29 Report Posted May 29 Well after about 4 months we are done... My M20C had its heart transplant and I am now running an IO-360-A1B instead of a carburated O-360... which translates into a 20Hp more horsepower. The engine swap was more complicated than expected. Mainly because I had to procure many of the parts that were needed. I had to get a new electrical fuel pump, a new exhaust... But lets start: After getting the engine and reading the STC I realized that I needed a new cowling and engine mount, in addition to a new electrical fuel pump and throttle, mixture and prop cable. Not a problem. Ebay, McFarlane and Aircraft spruce got me everything. The work started and first hurdle: the side panel I had from my M20C did not fit with the new cowling... my AP worked around it and fixed it and made them fit. Then little issues came up that became huge problems, such as the cables don´t fit exacly as expected and we need to find a way to make them fit... Did I tell you that my AP is great? Next hurdle: Baffles... where can I get a new (used) set of baffles... The old dog house did not work... So I had to go out there and find used baffles. I was lucky and found a full set in ARGENTINA.... I was able to get them and had them shipped. Then, the STC states that you have to move the battery box to the back of the plane. Easier said than done. After looking at the cables my AP said that it would be better to change all the cables... So I ended up purchasing an insane amount of cables, connectors etc. But now I have a brand new electrical system (plus new alternator and regulator...). The only thing that is still not 100% is the RAM air door. The STC states that you can use the carb heat cable, but I am not convinced. So I decided to order from McFarlene the RAM air cable. I installed a set of GAMI injectors, new ignition coils too. In parallel I also changed my autopilot to a Garmin 507 and swapped my ASPENs for a G5 and ad G3X touch. Finally after learning how to start a flooded fuel injection engine, I flew the airplane this weekend. It is great! Did it make sense? in hindsite: No. The costs I incurred were absurd. It would have made much more sense to sell my M20C and buy a M20E. But then... you get attached to your machine... so would I do it again? after flying the plane... most likely: yes... Oscar 8 Quote
Pinecone Posted May 29 Report Posted May 29 On 6/11/2013 at 12:43 PM, Hank said: The O-360 is stone simple, bullet proof and has no hot-start issues. I made ten flights on Saturday, most of them were shut down, unload and reload passengers, crank back up. Maybe 5 minutes or less of rest, my headset and seatbelt never touched. Try that with an E. My prop never turned more than 1½ revolutions except the one time I tried to crank up with the throttle at Idle and mixture at Cut Off . . . FYI, hot start issues are not from a 5 minute shutdown, but around 30 minutes to an hour after everything is heat soaked. Quote
Hank Posted May 29 Report Posted May 29 23 minutes ago, Pinecone said: FYI, hot start issues are not from a 5 minute shutdown, but around 30 minutes to an hour after everything is heat soaked. It's no problem restarting from a fuel stop, or after lunch. The joys of the carb, Crack the throttle, turn the key and push--it takes about twice as long as a cold start. With the injected engine, hot start techniques are frequently debated and everyone seems to have a favorite technique . . . . 1 Quote
Echo Posted May 29 Report Posted May 29 5 hours ago, Oscar Avalle said: Did it make sense? in hindsite: No. The costs I incurred were absurd. It would have made much more sense to sell my M20C and buy a M20E. But then... you get attached to your machine... so would I do it again? after flying the plane... most likely: yes... Oscar Oscar, what were the parts and labor break down for the "upgrade" to an E? Quote
Oscar Avalle Posted May 29 Report Posted May 29 1 hour ago, Echo said: Oscar, what were the parts and labor break down for the "upgrade" to an E? Hard to give you the full breakdown. Once I get everything finalized I would say that I must have spend about 20% of the value of the plane for the upgrade, including labor (not counting the avionics). Please note that I did the job with an IA in El Salvador, where labor is cheaper. 1 Quote
Pinecone Posted May 30 Report Posted May 30 20 hours ago, Hank said: It's no problem restarting from a fuel stop, or after lunch. The joys of the carb, Crack the throttle, turn the key and push--it takes about twice as long as a cold start. With the injected engine, hot start techniques are frequently debated and everyone seems to have a favorite technique . . . . Yes, but I was pointing out that your example of a 5 minute shutdown would not cause any problems with an injected engine either. Your points are correct, but you used a bad example. Quote
hais Posted May 31 Report Posted May 31 On 5/29/2024 at 8:30 AM, Oscar Avalle said: In parallel I also changed my autopilot to a Garmin 507 and swapped my ASPENs for a G5 and ad G3X touch. Not posting new panel photos is a serious crime on MS 1 1 Quote
Shadrach Posted May 31 Report Posted May 31 On 5/30/2024 at 8:56 AM, Pinecone said: Yes, but I was pointing out that your example of a 5 minute shutdown would not cause any problems with an injected engine either. Your points are correct, but you used a bad example. My F model starts “passing gas” through the injectors right after shut down. You can hear the fuel burbling through the system while pushing back or tying down. The airplane will hot start without priming from shutdown right up until it won’t (probably ~1hr or a bit longer depending on OAT). If it won’t start without a prim then give it a little prime. Why people make this out to be difficult is beyond me. 1 Quote
Shadrach Posted May 31 Report Posted May 31 On 5/29/2024 at 7:14 PM, Oscar Avalle said: Hard to give you the full breakdown. Once I get everything finalized I would say that I must have spend about 20% of the value of the plane for the upgrade, including labor (not counting the avionics). Please note that I did the job with an IA in El Salvador, where labor is cheaper. So what do you like most about it? What are the most noticeable improvements? Quote
Oscar Avalle Posted June 3 Report Posted June 3 On 5/30/2024 at 6:47 PM, hais said: Not posting new panel photos is a serious crime on MS I don’t want to infringe any laws! 6 1 Quote
hais Posted June 4 Report Posted June 4 12 hours ago, Oscar Avalle said: I don’t want to infringe any laws! Congratulations! Who did the yokes? Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.