I have never owned a Piper Pacer before. I flew the plane in on a weak 0290 125hp Lycoming. I was not impressed with the control/responsiveness of the plane but think that vortex generators and a larger engine will overcome those short falls.
Ithe is a 1950 PA-20 and I am installing an 0320-B3B Lycoming engine. I don't have a starter ring or propeller. I would like to have something that accents the climb abilty, as I am planning on making it my back country plane. Although I don't want to forget about cruise either. I thought that i would install the 22 inch main tires, and I already have the Scott 3200 tail wheel. So my question is, what is the best all around propeller that you guys have found that works the best? Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Buck

The “Borer” props commonly used on Super Cubs work great on Pacers. The SC STC was developed by Roger Borer in Alaska, hence the name. McCauley props. Depending on your mission, I’d probably start with an 82-44 or 43. Flatter takes off shorter, coarser cruises faster.

Pacer with O-320 is a nice machine. Some folks extend the wings and square off the tips to get a bit more wing, but with stock wing they do fine on wheels.

MTV

Borer props don't usually shine at cruise--
a better compromise prop might be a standard Sensenich 74DM6.
Sensenich lists a 74x60 for a cruise prop and a 58 pitch for a climb prop for both the 150hp and 160hp PA-22.
IMHO 58 is too much for a 150, even for cruise.
I'd prefer a 54 for a 150hp and maybe a 56 for a 160hp like yours.
The listed prop for my old C150/150TD was a 58 pitch,
but I ended up with a new one on the strong side of 54 (about 54-1/2) and it was just right.

FWIW Svenn's Aviation holds a number of STC's for the Pacer.
Pricing is reasonable and they are for useful mods like fat tires, big props, etc.
I think his borer prop STC also requires bigger tires (for ground clearance).

http://svennsaviation.com/stcs/

Thanks for the info, now I have an idea of what I need to look for. I was looking cross eyed at slightly worn 76x58 and starter ring that was removed from an 0360 that i have laying around the shop. But the bolt hole lugs are to large for the 0320 crank flange. Sounds like, it would be,a bit much anyway. A new prop is just more money than I have these days. So I'll be searching the used market.
Thanks
Buck

I would bide your time. I have some stuff coming up...

I would be interested.
I want to order some new engine mount bolts, the old ones,are showing some wear. The old antique gyros are coming out. I have an olderr style 3 1/8" black faced A. Horizion that's of the smaller size that I think will look good in the plane. And with a vertical card compass, I don't need a DG. One 10" venturi should provide enough vacumn for a T&B and AH. It already only has one comm and a Xponder. Other than that, out with the carpet, rear seat and any other misc weight I can find. Its nothing fancy but should be a great plane to go out and get dirty!

There is a short-wing piper site that a lot of pacer guys hang out on.
You might get some good info there.
Plus there's a couple shops that specialize in them-
Svenns & Eddie Trimmer among them.
Steve Pierce down in Texas is a pacer guy too.

i had the McCauley on my tripacer flattened down to 53 which gave me unreal takeoff performance and climb but lowered my cruise just a bit... as an idaho back country plane it was perfect... then i sold it and just got my M4...by the way it is now owned by a lady air taxi pilot up in alaska who converted it to a pacer and i assume she still has the 53 inch prop on it....

My 22/20-150 has a 74/58, with 6.00 tires she cruises at about 108kts. Well, did - I fixed that by dropping some ABW 29" Airhawks on her. I am not happy with the combo of my short, obstructed grass runway combined with the 74/58. I am looking for a 74/53ish prop or a Borer, probably a 82/41-42. If you do buy a used 82/44 you might want to keep in mind the possible cost of shipping and having it re-pitched if needed. I have found a couple of them in Alaska around 1k but still looking.

I found myself a 75×57 that I plan to install. It was a pretty good deal, and I will run it for a little while and see what I need as far as re- pitching. I still have the 600x6 tires on the plane for now, but once I get a little time on the engine I plane on installing larger tires. Almost everything off the 0290 swapped over, except the obvious things of course. You guys helped me get into the ball park.
Thanks
Buck

I have a Sensenich 74DM6-0-56. It was overhauled and has a yellow tag from Precision Propeller in Boise.

flyer wrote:I have a Sensenich 74DM6-0-56. It was overhauled and has a yellow tag from Precision Propeller in Boise.

I may be able to use that 56, pm me your number please.