On 29 Dec 2003 23:30:36 GMT, (ROBIN FLY) wrote:

Light-weight cylinders that tend to crack, and a light-weight
case that has a less than stellar rep. The following is of course
statistically insignificant, but I know of two O-470As in early C-180s
that literally came apart shortly after purchase (one on the ferry
flight home!).

A possible added "concern" is that TCM won't accept an O-470A
as a core (I think this has something to do with the old-style crank
that you'll find in an A)

Another operational "gotcha" with an A (or J for that matter) are the
2-bolt exhaust flanges, which tend to warp and then the exhaust
gases erode the cylinder mating surfaces. The K (R, L, etc.) went to
a 4-bolt exhaust flange which "fixes" this problem.

All that being said, I understand you can get new cylinder kits (for
an A) from TCM with 4-ring pistons that at least somewhat addresses
the cylinder problems.

Long story short, you won't find a great deal of O-470A powered C-180s
flying around any more these days (most everyone has upgraded to
at least the J, or better yet, the K, R or L, etc.).

Bela P. Havasreti

if it's an A, you
walk away, if it's a J, it's OK

Why the bad rep?