I recently purchased a Siai Marchetti S.205 22R aircraft with a Franklin 6A-350C1 220 HP engine. I have spoken with Miss Susan at Franklin Aircraft Engine in Jewett Texas multiple times over the last couple of months. We talked about a STC 220 HP conversion's For the Cessna 170, 172, 175 & Stinsion 108-3 conversions. She said she gets from 4 to 5 calls a month from folks wanting to do conversions on these various types of aircraft. There is a company out of colorado that has been put up for sale that holds all the STC's on these conversions. She is giving it serious consideration about adding this to the service to the other services that she offer's.

hotrod180 wrote:

shortfielder wrote:.....everyone that has them, seems to love them. And anyone that doesn't have them, is worried about parts availability. ...........

Sounds ike the Lycoming O-290-- everybody talks about how parts are non-existant, but the owners seem to be able to keep them running and even overhaul them without too much trouble.

Eric

Same with Continental IO-346. Just an awesome engine. I think only seen in a Beechcraft Musketeer. I have just over 100 hrs behind one

I just found I have crack near the exhaust flange on cylinder #1 of my new to me 450 hr. SOHO (2005 overhauled) Lycoming O-290-D2. I had oil seeping from the cylinder valve cover (or so I thought) and the pushrod tube seals. The seals looked trashed, but after replacing the seals, the oil leak showed up only at the exhaust flange. I spotted it after doing a run up leaking slightly around the front bolt on the flange. Crack in the exhaust above the flange on the cylinder. I called the company that overhauled the cylinders last in 2005, Gibson Aviation. Gibson unfortunately told me they do not have any fresh cylinders in stock but they do get them frequently and expected some shortly. I was told by many people "good luck" when I bought an O-290 because parts were non existent. Gibson told me not to send them my broken cylinder because it would be cheaper to wait until they get some in stock. They were more than happy to rebuild my cylinder if that is what I needed, but would rather just have the core and swap out later. Most parts I have looked up for an O-290 are available if you dig hard enough. I don't know anything about Franklin Engines other than I have also heard the same stories about the Lycoming O-290. They both no longer have factory support, but they have a pretty big following with companies keeping them going with enthusiasm.

I’ve got one. She’s a beast. Love the engine. Parts can be found. There’s a great franklin engine page on Facebook. There’s a new shop that just announced specializing in franklin overhauls there.


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Hey Zoomx5, I have a bunch of cylinders that will fit your engine, I ran an 0-435 for years and it uses the same ones as the 0-290-D
send pe a PM if you want some.

She looks good with the new shoes

owned a 0-470 powered 108-2 a while back.Great airplane with outstanding performance.

roger from 5s7 i have a 1958 175 with 220 franklin eng bought it w\1000 + hr's it runs very well and I am looking for another 1000 on my watch. it has a hartzell Q-tip prop and the performance is fantastic and it is always a conversation starter n# 9290B roger fitts 503 851 9601