Morning, I’m getting ready for an IO520D for a 185F, and I’m hoping to lean on the forum for where to look for the best value presently. Yea… that’s a rapidly changing consideration in these inflationary times. Lead time is a consideration, too, understand the Covid supplies disruption all too well.

Now first off, I’m a Lycoming guy. Have flown better than the full TBO of a 540, but am wet behind the ears on Continentals with less than a hundred hours running them. I’m going to head into this under the impression there’s aspects I should be aware of with Continental I don’t know, cylinders of choice, case repairs if required, etc.

If you were buying a IO520D or overhauling your own right now, where would you go? I’m on the West Coast in Canada, but cross border shipping doesn’t put me off, I have a US address I can freight to and from and our land border is reopening.

At the same time going to overhaul an 86” Mac, if you have ideas there too please share them.

Appreciate the time and wisdom folks. And trust me I get this isn’t a great time to be buying new engines and parts with covid supply chain pinches and the inflation as of late.

I've had multiple engines done by Progressive Aero in Kamloops. If you are on the west coast that's where I would send it. They will have a good idea which cylinders to use. I like Superiors, run them on my own 520 in my 206. For props I use Prop works in Edmonton. Cliff has been very good to work with and it's fairly close (4hr drive) to me which helps.
David

Thanks David, familiar with Progressive, and the prop shop recommendation is new to me I appreciate that. Will give them a ring.

Ardent wrote:Thanks David, familiar with Progressive, and the prop shop recommendation is new to me I appreciate that. Will give them a ring.

Alberta Aero in Villineuve also does good engine work. I've taken my last couple there.

We had our O-470 R redone to an XP470 last year by Pro Aero in Kamloops. Runs well, delivered on time, good communications, etc.

Say Hi to Guy if you give them a call.

I just overhauled my O-520 at Premier (KTTD). It took 6 months but I got a great price from Jim and he does great work. I got a new case, 6 brand new superior cylinders, and a new crankshaft- everything else was overhauled. It came in under 33K total. If you can't wait that long I believe Western Skyways and some other companies offer exchange programs but at much higher prices. There have been a lot of supply chain disruptions this last year. Sourcing parts has been challenging. Premier is known to be slow but I would say if you are not in a hurry they are worth the wait.



Josh

Progressive in Kamloops has had some difficulties as they transitioned ownership. They’re not the same people hat we’re there 4-5 years ago when they IRANed a IO-550 for me. They put the wrong crank in a local guy’s engine. His prop wouldn’t fit. Then they denied the error. It was undeniable.

Had Western Skyways build me an exchange TSIO-520 6-7 years ago. I got a really ugly looking case back. It underwent significant welding and machining at Divco. I was late returning my core, real late. They told me the case was cracked and I received none of my core deposit back. I asked for the engine logs and data plate back to prove they’d scrapped it. They never did. I sold the airplane. That engine never ran as nice as the one I pulled out to replace. New owner is a friend of mine. He’s had leaks and several cylinder failures.

Continental doesn’t weld cases and doesn’t charge extra core charges for rejected cores. Cranks, cams, cases. I don’t like them, but I love my 185 so I’m their customer for life.

If it were me, and they could deliver in a timely manner, I think I’d buy a factory reman. It will have more new parts in it than most rebuilders. Then I’d seriously consider doing what was done to my 550 when it was new, before it had to go to Progressive for IRAN. Remove the cylinders and send them to Lycon for IRAN and a port cleanup before it is installed. Up charge from a 520 to 550 is about $3500 USD through Continental. $1000 USD STC from Pponk and you’ve got a nice upgrade. The Continental upgrades are nice too. Oil filter adapter, and alternator mount are improved on my 550.

Well availability and an old boss made the call, I worked for Rob Wharf who runs Pro Aero a bit more than the years ago, and he has a 520 on the shelf ready to go. Bought it, so that’s sorted.

Currently I am about to overhaul a really clean C58 / 86” Mac, what would you think about doing for the prop if you were putting a brand new engine in? Budget does matter here as the motor wasn’t cheap.

That Rob is still there is a +1 for Pro Aero. I thought he’d left. I trust him and take back some of what I wrote earlier.

Pinecone wrote:That Rob is still there is a +1 for Pro Aero. I thought he’d left. I trust him and take back some of what I wrote earlier.

FWIW, pro aero does porting and polishing as well... Rob is good to deal with, as is Scott.

On the prop, I'd just overhaul your current one and keep running it. I love the black Mac on my 206.

I dealt with Rob Wharf on my O-360 rebuild and he was great. Very happy 55 hours in.

I actually had no idea Rob was still there. He left the company where I flew for him, at least ten years ago. Rob was as honest and solid as they come then, and I’m sure nothing has changed. That’s what made me buy that motor honestly, and I know who to call if I ever have an issue. That’s worth a lot.

I only called on A1’s recommendation here jogging my memory, thank you for that. Guy picked up the phone, and said Rob was smiling when he heard who was looking for an engine. And that’s the story, got a fresh 520 7 stud ready to go.

Last thing now is the prop. It’s easiest to overhaul the C58 / 86” Mac, but I do wonder if I shouldn’t consider upgrading right now as a package.

Ardent where are you based out of ? I am based out of Langley /CYNJ.

If you do upgrade props I'd probably go with a Hartzell Voyager. There is guys on this forum that have run them and swear by them. I would love to have on for my 206 but $$ is a major consideration for me. It may be worth talking to cliff at Prop works and seeing if he can build you up a 3 blade Mac. He's done it for me in the past for reasonable.

If the Mac will overhaul affordably, just do that. You can upgrade anytime, and the Mac will have resale value.

Progressive will loan you their fuel system gauges so that you can verify the fuel flows after installation in your airframe. You should accept that offer if you don’t have access to them locally. They set the engine to spec on their test stand, but it should be double checked.

My hangar is in Pitt Meadows 175magnum, fly locally for the day job (helis).

Noted on the fuel flow equipment, appreciate that. Wonder if I shouldn’t do a major upgrade on engine instruments while at this too. These projects sure do snowball.

A1 yea been talking to Cliff on your recommendation, will likely overhaul the C58 with him this week. Appreciate that lead, good guy seems like.

Ya Cliff is great. Gonna be a blow to the industry when he retires.

I can't add anything to this topic, and I wish the OP well in his project. Hope you don't mind me taking this thread in a slightly different direction...
I'm looking at a 182 that has an IO520D. It's about ready for an overhaul. My plans always were to upgrade to a Pponk from a stock 0-0470 if the plane I found had a stock engine. Whats the biggest advantage in keeping a fuel injection system over a carb on the 520? Injection systems may provide slightly better fuel economy, but have added costs associated with overhaul, and when things break.

MooseMeat wrote:I can't add anything to this topic, and I wish the OP well in his project. Hope you don't mind me taking this thread in a slightly different direction...
I'm looking at a 182 that has an IO520D. It's about ready for an overhaul. My plans always were to upgrade to a Pponk from a stock 0-0470 if the plane I found had a stock engine. Whats the biggest advantage in keeping a fuel injection system over a carb on the 520? Injection systems may provide slightly better fuel economy, but have added costs associated with overhaul, and when things break.

No carb ice. Better fuel economy. More power and smoother.

MooseMeat wrote:Whats the biggest advantage in keeping a fuel injection system over a carb on the 520? Injection systems may provide slightly better fuel economy, but have added costs associated with overhaul, and when things break.

Lean of Peak operation with GAMIs. Amazing.