What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

IO 390 ouch

flynwest

Well Known Member
I have an IO 390 in my 8 and it needs a new cylinder. How much do you think a new cylinder costs from Lycoming the only supplier for that cylinder. If you guessed over 4k you are correct. I think my 14 will have a IO 360 or 400 on it. How come you can buy a IO 390 cheaper than a IO 360 but the Jugs are almost double.
 
I was looking to go that route at one time, until I found a relatively fresh 200 HP angle Lyc and CS Hart for the price of four of those.
 
Old adages-----

Horsepower cost money------how much HP do you want?

Speed costs money-------how fast do you want to go?
 
It's called "competition". Where it exists, prices are lower. Where it doesn't, well, you know the answer.
 
cylinder

Contact Lycon. They have .010 over pistons if that will save your cylinder. They are located in Ca. If you can't find them I can get you a number later.
 
Dan, bummer that you have to replace a cylinder, what is wrong with it and how many hours do you have on your engine?

I posted this a while back after learning from Barrett about the relative cost of 390 vs XP-400 cylinders:

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showpost.php?p=1069120&postcount=126

You'd think if you buy a brand new 390 you wouldn't need to replace any jugs in a lifetime of sport flying...they should go well beyond the TBO without giving you any trouble.

If Superior and Whirlwind would get together and offer a discounted package deal that was price competitive with the Lycoming/Hartzell bundle that Vans runs during the SNF & OSH shows, I'd go with the XP-400 without a second thought due to the much lower parts replacement cost.
 
XP400 + Whirlwind

Dan, bummer that you have to replace a cylinder, what is wrong with it and how many hours do you have on your engine?

I posted this a while back after learning from Barrett about the relative cost of 390 vs XP-400 cylinders:

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showpost.php?p=1069120&postcount=126

You'd think if you buy a brand new 390 you wouldn't need to replace any jugs in a lifetime of sport flying...they should go well beyond the TBO without giving you any trouble.

If Superior and Whirlwind would get together and offer a discounted package deal that was price competitive with the Lycoming/Hartzell bundle that Vans runs during the SNF & OSH shows, I'd go with the XP-400 without a second thought due to the much lower parts replacement cost.

The XP400 and Whirlwind 74RV combo is already less expensive than the IO-390 and Hartzell OSH/Sun-n-fun special. I'm thinking this is why the most recent OSH special through Vans for the 390 came down. When I bought my XP400 last year, even if I could have gotten the 390 through the OSH special(I can't as I built an 8) it was substantially more that the 400. I bought both engine and prop from aircraft spruce.

edit: I am factoring in the Hartzell composite prop and additional spinner cost, not the metal Hartzell. If you got the metal hartzell instead it would be very close
 
Last edited:
I have an IO 390 in my 8 and it needs a new cylinder. How much do you think a new cylinder costs from Lycoming the only supplier for that cylinder. If you guessed over 4k you are correct. I think my 14 will have a IO 360 or 400 on it. How come you can buy a IO 390 cheaper than a IO 360 but the Jugs are almost double.

Dan,

That's definitely a big OUCH. As I recall, you saw temps around 500 on the Thursday race? Definitely detonation territory with boost. What kind of damage did you have? Guessing burned piston or broken ring/land and associated scoring of the cylinder wall?

I hope all else is well with you and your family.

Skylor
 
Last edited:
The XP400 and Whirlwind 74RV combo is already less expensive than the IO-390 and Hartzell OSH/Sun-n-fun special. I'm thinking this is why the most recent OSH special through Vans for the 390 came down. When I bought my XP400 last year, even if I could have gotten the 390 through the OSH special(I can't as I built an 8) it was substantially more that the 400. I bought both engine and prop from aircraft spruce.

edit: I am factoring in the Hartzell composite prop and additional spinner cost, not the metal Hartzell. If you got the metal hartzell instead it would be very close

I'm sure if you compare the 390 + composite Hartzell to the 400 + Whirlwind you're going to end up close on total investment because the Hartzell composite prop is way more expensive than the WW. Does Aircraft Spruce offer a combo discount with the 400 and an WW prop that I'm not finding?

Just comparing engine prices, the A/C Spruce website (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/superiorxp.php?clickkey=1172554) lists the IO-400 at $33889.00 and it appears that is an unassembled kit engine. The Vans special on the IO-390 at Oshkosh this year (https://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/Lycoming_Special_OSH2016.pdf) was $31,400 (if buying the metal Hartzell, otherwise $32,400) and that's fully assembled, preserved, and shipped. When I asked Barrett this past Oshkosh about getting a comparable fully assembled 400 delivered to my door I think they quoted me something over $38K. That's a significant price difference compared to the 390 in my book...

Maybe someone out there offers a better deal than Barrett on an assembled 400?
 
Not a kit

I'm sure if you compare the 390 + composite Hartzell to the 400 + Whirlwind you're going to end up close on total investment because the Hartzell composite prop is way more expensive than the WW. Does Aircraft Spruce offer a combo discount with the 400 and an WW prop that I'm not finding?

Just comparing engine prices, the A/C Spruce website (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/superiorxp.php?clickkey=1172554) lists the IO-400 at $33889.00 and it appears that is an unassembled kit engine. The Vans special on the IO-390 at Oshkosh this year (https://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/Lycoming_Special_OSH2016.pdf) was $31,400 (if buying the metal Hartzell, otherwise $32,400) and that's fully assembled, preserved, and shipped. When I asked Barrett this past Oshkosh about getting a comparable fully assembled 400 delivered to my door I think they quoted me something over $38K. That's a significant price difference compared to the 390 in my book...

Maybe someone out there offers a better deal than Barrett on an assembled 400?

It drop ships from Superior, it is fully assembled and test run. They allowed me to delete the mag's and lowered the price accordingly. They will do the same for the fuel injection as well, I decided to go with the supplied Precision system for now at least.
 
It drop ships from Superior, it is fully assembled and test run. They allowed me to delete the mag's and lowered the price accordingly. They will do the same for the fuel injection as well, I decided to go with the supplied Precision system for now at least.

The assembled & test run engine from Superior is the same price as the kit price on A/C Spruce's site?
 
Yes

The assembled & test run engine from Superior is the same price as the kit price on A/C Spruce's site?

Yes. I ordered the engine through spruce. The price was lower than spruce lists because I deleted the mag's. Superior was great to work with and made sure the engine was built how I wanted it. They test ran it, took off the mags and sent it to me. I also had them install onger studs on the governor pad. Check your PM

The price on Spruce is the assembled price, I don't think they offer a kit to individual's for their engines.

PS, sorry for thread drift
 
Last edited:
Hot cylinder

It is amazing that the cylinder that got hot is good. The #2 cylinder is washboarded and too big, but both pistons are good. Hmmmm maybe an new XP 400 with a supercharger would be better and cheaper to overhaul. Hmmm. Yep going fast cost money. Fast $$$ Faster $$$$ Fastest $$$$$$$ Maybe Kevin Eldridge can make me some cool cylinders.
 
And suddenly when we click the link, the sympathy returned to the dictionary, where it usually sits - just between sh*t and syphilis...;)

To be serious, we all feel the pain if you need a new cylinder and are also pushing the 8 faster - well done.

It does show a little of the harsh side of commercialism when manufacturers can corner a market until competition builds up. I spent a while tramping round Sun n Fun this year asking about viable alternatives to the 390 in the 14 as we just started one.

Problem seems to lie with the forward governor and fit around the engine mount if you go 360 angle.

Not drifting the thread, but any related suggestions along the thread line will be useful for us still undecided on motor for a 14.

Good luck with the new Jug btw :)
 
Problem seems to lie with the forward governor and fit around the engine mount if you go 360 angle. (Quote)

I MOUNTED PROP GOVERNOR IN REAR OF MY ANGLE VALVE THAT WAS A FRONT MOUNT. MADE PLATE FOR FRONT AND RAN A BRAIDED LINE. WORKS AS EXPECTED AND DOESN'T INTERFER WITH PLENUM.
 
Problem seems to lie with the forward governor and fit around the engine mount if you go 360 angle. (Quote)

I MOUNTED PROP GOVERNOR IN REAR OF MY ANGLE VALVE THAT WAS A FRONT MOUNT. MADE PLATE FOR FRONT AND RAN A BRAIDED LINE. WORKS AS EXPECTED AND DOESN'T INTERFER WITH PLENUM.

You're talking about an RV-7 though, right? I think on the -14 series the rear mounted governor interferes with the engine/nose gear mount, hence the requirement to use an engine that has the forward mounted governor. And very few IO-360s have the FWD mount governor, making it difficult to find a good engine core if you want to go the overhauled 360 route..
 
New IO 390 cylinder prices

It seems as though there is new prices for cylinders for the IO 390. The new prices are very competitive from Lycoming. I just wanted to let everyone know that before you change your mind about the IO 390. Trying to set the record straight.
 
Do tell...

It seems as though there is new prices for cylinders for the IO 390. The new prices are very competitive from Lycoming. I just wanted to let everyone know that before you change your mind about the IO 390. Trying to set the record straight.

And that price would be?
 
Hmmmm....great. You guys may have pushed my motor purchase back to next August. :mad:

Where would one go to find an example of the (much) lower cylinder prices or some other confirmation?
 
Last edited:
Retail varies

I won't quote a price as each vendor has their own pricing but it is now competitive with other IO 360's. It's no longer outrageous.
 
Back
Top