New Project

I agree with Dave *if* the prop and engine have not been serviced recently, as several of us discussed up-topic. If both are in good condition, however, I would not consider the O-435 an "air anchor."

First of all, despite their wonderful smoothness, Franklins also have also have marginal fuel specifics and many burn a lot of oil. Also, if you get the 165 from a Stinson owner you also have to gain field approval for a fixed pitch prop, unless you can find an Aeromatic in serviceable condition. If not, the O-435 with the HC-12x20 Hartzell gives you more operational flexibility due to greater horsepower and a controllable pitch prop.

As for the auto fuel option, Petersen offers an STC for the O-435 and the EAA might offer one as well.

Petersen's site is http://autofuelstc.com/pa/petersenaviation.html

Keep in mind that this applies to the stock O-435A-1. If the engine has been rebuilt with high compression pistons - making it an O-435A-2 - then it would not be approved for auto fuel.

Jonathan
 
To get a list of all current STCs for the Crusair from the FAA site got to

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSTC.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFrameSet

Enter the Type Certificate number A-773

Jonathan
 
Oops, forgot this bit. To get the TC data sheet for your Cruisair go to this site and search under A-773:

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFrameSet
 
Mr Levy installed an IO-360 Lycoming in his Cruisair and built his own cowl. Definitely an alternative and one I would certainly consider down the line if my little 6A4-150-B3 Franklin becomes an orphan parts-wise :roll:

I guess what I'm trying to point out is there are always alternatives! This is one great little airplane- no doubt :!:
 
I must take a little exception to Jonathans comments about Franlklins buring oil. I had to add a quart every 15 hours for the first three hundred hours, and now at 900 hours I am running a quart about every 7 hours. I can't complain about that!
Regarding STC for auto gas. I talked to Peterson a few years ago about getting one for the Cruisair, and he told me that there just wasn't enough of us to make it worth his while. Notice on his web site regarding "older Bellanca's with Franklins" that he says: ".... No, they have never been flight tested. Any fuel pump equipped airplane must go through a flight test program to obtain STC approval." The same is true for 14-19s. You must also have an STC for the airframe, not just the engine. Peterson told me that the Navion was a good expample of why you needed that. (besides the regs, which I do not want talk about!) The E-225 powered Bonanzas can get a mogas STC, but the Navion cannot... I seem to recall that he told me that it had a vapor lock problem. That may have been prior to Clean Air Act Amendment gasoline which had a higher Reid Vapor Pressure...but then I may be having a senior moment regarding when that discussion took place. I do know that a Franklin powered Cruisair runs just great on autogas, and in fact may even run better on it than on that blue stuff , but then I don't know if it is worth starting that discussion over again, and again and again....! Happy Holidays to you all. I really appreciate all your comments, and continue to learn from you. Thanks! Larry
 
Good point, Larry - I know a fella who burns mogas in his 14-19, I saw O-435A-1 on the Petersen list and.....oops :shock:

In my 14 series Bellanca hunting - a long, long hunt - every owner who flew behind a Franklin noted high oil consumption. Perhaps my sample was skewed due to the fact that these aircrapt were FOR SALE.

Folks often note high oil consumption on O-435s but I've yet to see it on mine.

Now....those folks who say their radials don't leak a drop of oil...those guys are lying ;)

Jonathan
 
was a red stain caused by red mo-gas inside the fuel tank bay. Some idiot had cross-threaded the pipe fitting into the rear of the tank :evil:
Scared me to death. All I could see was skin replacement ad nauseum with possible spar checks from the fuel soak :shock:
Fortunately, it seems all the fuel dripped out of the tank over the four years NC74392 sat up onto the hangar floor without soaking into the wood. I'm still not sure why it didn't soak in...It always did in my gas-powered model planes!
 
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