"Malcolm Teas" wrote in message
om...
Gee, how's that for an incendiary topic? grin

In my ongoing quest for a plane, I've narrowed down the types I'm
looking at. Currently it's down to Stinson, Pacer/Tripacer, Cessna
170, 172, 177, and 180, Maule M4, Musketteer, and Bellanca Cruiseair.
Naturally I need to reduce this list a bit more! Availability will do
that some, but I'm looking at engines right now.

A number of them like the Stinson, Bellanca, etc have Franklin
engines. Others engine types are Cont C-145, Cont O-300, Cont O-470,
Lyc O-290, Lyc O-360, and Lyc O-435. Yup, some are old types, that's
my concern.

Have you had or heard of experiences maintaining some of these older
engine types? I've heard, for example, that the Franklins are hard to
find parts for and that this raises overhaul costs. Also, I'd
appreciate comments on the other engines as well. I've also been told
that Beech parts are priced with respect to the original sale cost so
that maintenance the Musketteer is more expensive.

Comments and info much appreciated!

Thanks,
-Malcolm Teas

It sounds like you are looking for something fairly cheap. As always, it's
best to avoid the oddball stuff, because if you do have a problem it's going
to cost lots of $$$.

Franklins, although well built, are a pain to get parts for. Same for the
discontinued Continentals and Lycomings. Usually you can get the parts,
just be prepared to be down for a long time waiting and them having a very
high cost. Kinda defeats the purpose of owning.

Maintenance on the older birds depends on how well they were built and how
well they were kept. The Stinsons are solid old planes, same with the
Cessnas. Fabric covered planes will need to be recovered occasionally,
though not as often as they used to be. The Bellanca has wood wings IIRC
and there are only a couple of shops that can rebuild them. Most get scrapp
ed if a wing rots due to the cost of the rebuild.

Beech parts are more expensive than Piper or Cessna, but the Musketeer line
is built like a tank. The price of parts isn't really an issue if you
seldom need any. Maintenance cost is actually lower than a 172 or Cherokee.

I'd say the best values out of what you listed are the Musketeer and the
Tri-Pacer.