What's an old O-320 worth?

FORANE

FORANE

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FORANE
Just removed a O-320 from my Lancair. Originally 150 hp 1955 model o-320 overhauled with 10:1 in 2002 and around 1200 hours smoh at time of removal.
#1 cylinder new installed 6/2018 with 215 TTSN
#4 cylinder installed 6/2012 with 516 TTSN
#2,3 cylinders installed at overhaul in 2002.
Accessory case just back from Divco with one piece cam mod.
Engine was running well, good compressions, no metal in filter, but after flying for a couple hours the prop was difficult to rotate by starter or by hand. Case fretting was suspected. Engine currently located in East TN.

Whats it worth?
Where to advertise it?
How to preserve it in the interim?


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FWIW - I once witnessed an 0-320 disassembled that showed heavy localized pressure on the front main bearing. Apparently on the previous assembly, the alignment dowel for the front bearing journal got caught in the edge of the mating hole on the bearing shell, locally pressing it into the crank journal. The engine had run that way for a long time, but I always wondered what sort of fatigue damage it might have done to the crank due to the heavy point compression loading.

If nothing else, if the crank can be pulled in and out of the case a few thou, that would preclude that error.

The oil pump surfaces suggest you have a very clean running engine.
 
nrpetersen said:
If nothing else, if the crank can be pulled in and out of the case a few thou, that would preclude that error.

The oil pump surfaces suggest you have a very clean running engine.
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Yes, the crank had front to back play deemed normal. That oil pump surface was just machined, but it looked very close to that prior to the work done by Divco.
 
FORANE said:
Whats it worth?
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Depends. Will it be reassembled and run/flown before you sell it? Will it come with all the accessories? Look at the E/AB engines at Wentworth, Atlanta Air Salvage, etc. for current prices then figure a price for yours.
FORANE said:
How to preserve it in the interim?
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FWIW: The only way to effectively preserve the engine is to start with a running engine and follow the OEM recommendation. Short of that you might try a piecemeal application of the same process but it may not provide the same type protection.
 
Bell206 said:
Depends. Will it be reassembled and run/flown before you sell it? Will it come with all the accessories? Look at the E/AB engines at Wentworth, Atlanta Air Salvage, etc. for current prices then figure a price for yours.

FWIW: The only way to effectively preserve the engine is to start with a running engine and follow the OEM recommendation. Short of that you might try a piecemeal application of the same process but it may not provide the same type protection.
Click to expand...
You forget this engine already has a coating of oil varnish the only thing that will corrode is the polished surfaces of the wear track.
Filling with preservation oil will prevent any other corrosion.
 
You can also call Ken at Lycon in CA. He does some cool things with engines and is straight shooter. He may make you an offer for it but do check the salvage yards for pricing reference. Arizona air salvage is another site to check out. Just keep in mind some of those engines have bent crank flanges from prop strikes which lessens the value by several grand.
 
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