Saville
Well Known Member
Hi all,
I'm in the market for a solid RV-4. Up until this point my irreducible minimum was an O-360 with a C/S prop. But in PM discussions with forum members, that 360 might not be ideal - lots of weight up front. And of all the RV-4's I see for sale over time, usually less than half have 360 C/S.
I can't recall ever seeing one with an O-320 C/S.
So I've considered buying an O-320 powered -4 and modifying it later by dropping in a new engine that has a C/A prop. But I have questions about that:
1) Were I to get a -4 built with a 320 F/P, how difficult is it to replace it with a 320 C/S assuming the same mount? Obviously I have to add a manifold pressure gauge and the prop control in the cockpit. But I'm wondering about airframe/cowl/mount rebuilding and/or replacing.
2) How hard is it to find a used 320 C/S engine? Are they scarce? I've done a cursory search on the web and I get the impression that O-360-A1A types (and their derivatives) are far more numerous than O-320-A1A and derivatives.
Any insight would be appreciated.
thanks
I'm in the market for a solid RV-4. Up until this point my irreducible minimum was an O-360 with a C/S prop. But in PM discussions with forum members, that 360 might not be ideal - lots of weight up front. And of all the RV-4's I see for sale over time, usually less than half have 360 C/S.
I can't recall ever seeing one with an O-320 C/S.
So I've considered buying an O-320 powered -4 and modifying it later by dropping in a new engine that has a C/A prop. But I have questions about that:
1) Were I to get a -4 built with a 320 F/P, how difficult is it to replace it with a 320 C/S assuming the same mount? Obviously I have to add a manifold pressure gauge and the prop control in the cockpit. But I'm wondering about airframe/cowl/mount rebuilding and/or replacing.
2) How hard is it to find a used 320 C/S engine? Are they scarce? I've done a cursory search on the web and I get the impression that O-360-A1A types (and their derivatives) are far more numerous than O-320-A1A and derivatives.
Any insight would be appreciated.
thanks
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