Question first- Would you prefer to spend less money and buy a yellow tagged unknown time, fixed pitch prop, or spend approximately $400 more for a “0” SMOH prop? (both freshly painted etc.)

So I am asking opinions here. I have a McCauley DM 80/40 which I want to trade/sell to get an 80/43. Unfortunately the seller sent me some “sweet” pictures of a log book and a yellow tag for this prop. When I got the prop the serial #s don’t match the log book and yellow tag. (Ooops I am sure, damn canooks) I have had my IA take a peek at it and he says it appears fine. I am going to send it to a prop shop to get inspected.

Should I spring for the “0” SMOH and spend the money in hopes of being able to break even, or have the same prop inspected, balanced, painted and yellow tagged as “ok.” Then Sell for the cheaper price?

Or just sell as is?
& P.S. it has been repitched once. Any way I paid $2,800. Obviously would like the cash back or just a different pitched prop.

Why would you not just have your 80-40 repitched up to 43? Approx $300 or maybe $700-ish for repitch & OH. Easier than buying anther one & selling the old one IMHO.
What does a new 80-43 cost? I priced 82-43 borers a while back & it seems like they were about 3500?

I'm with "hotrod", why don't you get yours re-pitched, unless you want to have both available for different purposes. Yellow tagged prop and overhauled prop on fixed pitch is about the same thing. The difference being checking profiles, pitch in more places , a static balance and overall blending. The serial numbers should match the tag, or it is not for that prop.

We just had an old '60 model 172 that had a non-matching serial number on the prop from the logs that went all the way back to the factory. Let's see...that is 52 annuals without anybody actually looking. Sent it for overhaul so it would actually have a logbook and found the backplate was cracked, that and all the bolts failed inspection.

Fixed pitch metal props are quite versatile, they can be blended and re-pitched several times before you would toss it. Last time I had my spare Birddog prop (McCauley) overhauled and re-pitched for cruise, in Phoenix, was $700. Heck the new stickers are worth $20 alone.

OK-

I stand corrected. Thanks Gents. I was told you can only repitch a prop one time. If the shop in Boise says no then I may look for a different shop.

All I want is the 80/43 pitch so I should be good.


byeBill

As I recall, the rule of thumb is that a prop can be repitched a total of 8" over it's lifetime. For example, if you had a 74-58 (pretty standard for a cherokee or similar) & had it pitched down to 54 for your Cub, then the next guy had it repitched back to 58 for his cherokee-- that's 8" total, game over, no more repitching. That's why a prop with no logbooks & unknown history isn't worth much.