Curious what others would recommend. There is some information I have obtained from the site already but I wanted to make sure my understanding is correct.

I have 58 - Cessna 180 with an O-520 UTS Texas Skyways engine. I replaced the O-470 in 2008. I kept my original mount because the Texas Skyways mount wouldn't fit properly on an old C180. We actually tried using the heavier duty mount and had to ship it back. The first crack appeared on the lower part of the mount on the last oil change about a month ago. Now I have another one on the upper part of the mount. I could attach photos but with the dark powder-coating it is hard to see in the photos. I think the best option is to replace it with the heavier mount aka Seaplanes-West now Acorn. I placed the updated exhaust in 2009 so I think it will work and should only cost 4K for the mount. The other option appears to be the AWI mount which is considerably cheaper. I believe we overhauled my old mount in 2008 before the engine was replaced but I will need to go check the logs to be certain.

Here are my questions:

1. Are there other options that make sense and if the Acorn seaplane mount is not compatible with my exhaust is it okay to use the cheaper AWI mount?

2. What is the weight difference between the heavier duty seaplanes-west mount and the AWI mount?

3. Is there a way to prevent cracks or am I just flying it (landing) it too hard? I assume it would be best to avoid the powder coating and keep he mount white or a light gray. It is really hard to see the cracks with the dark color.

Appreciate the memberships expertise on this subject.



Josh

I would bet there is a lot o cracks under the powder coating that you aren't seeing. I like white engine mounts for the reason you said. Easier to see cracks. I would definitely go with Acorns mount. They are great.
Which exhaust did you put on it? And acorn exhaust? If that's the case, it will be compatible with Acorns mount.

David

Call Acorn and discuss with them. They’ll answer all your questions with your best interests first. Theirs second.

They may even coach you to break down your mount to save a little shipping cost depending on the repairs they anticipate.

I bet they’ll rebuild your mount with some enhancements and facilitate reuse of your current exhaust. They are weight conscious, and will only recommend the Seaplanes West mount if they really believe your mission requires it.

As has been said, call Paul at Acorn. He will give you the straight skinny. I just removed a mount from a 180H. The delta between the SPW and OEM mount was 9lbs. The engine mounts are also heavier as the SPW uses the much larger isolators.

For others reading, you are "supposed" to pull an engine mount every time an engine is removed and perform NDT. Paul at Acorn has said that in almost 90% of inspections of older/OEM mounts they find cracks.

If it will work in your application (and if your wallet can stomach it) the SPW mount is light years better.

In case it isn’t common knowledge, Acorn and Seaplanes West have the same owner. Acorn has always been the manufacturer, even when they didn’t own the STC, they just own the STC now. Paul never did have a bias. His advice has always been fact based. This is just extra assurance.