So it looks like the Citabria I was looking at is not going to happen. I've been looking at Stinsons, and there are some nice looking ones in my pricerange.

I would be going metalized. I know it takes away from useful load, but better for outside storage, and it will be me and the wife 95% of the time, and include the dog for a remaining 4%. All long runways around here, so it should be just fine.

I guess my main concerns are with the Franklins. I saw a nice one nearby with about 1100 since OH and it was a Franklin 150, not a 165. What is the life expectancy/TBO on these? I know some parts are difficult to come by. Also, I think these run better on no lead mogas, but I don't think that is really anywhere to be found around me. Is that a dealbreaker? Is either the 150 or 165 much better than the other, of course I realize there is a HP difference.

If I need an overhaul, any idea how much that might go for?

Thanks!

Jesse

Also, what is a reasonable expectation for cruise speed, and fuel burn?

10+ GPH and about 125mph. Everyone says the heavy case 165 is the best engine to get. Mogas is definitely better. I believe the TBO on both engines is 1500. There's a lot more knowledgeable Stinson guys on here who should be able to answer more questions for you. Also I know there's a lot of good topics on Stinsons if you search.

good estimate, cruse in a bit less, about 115 +/1.

The 150 vs 165 is arguable, I like the 165 and I would go for the heavy case with out questions. Parts have never been a problem for me and there is hope that the engine will be made again, see other posts this site.

Why would you go metal, no chance of inside storage? I like the fabric and with care it will last for years. I have flown mine from the pacific to the very north top of main and they are great birds and give a lot of bang for the $$. I know they are not fast, but I did not buy it to go fast, I like to fly.

They have good useful, mine is approx 1150. Holds 50. The frank likes to be run hard and was designed for no lead fuel. I burn mo gas and have had no problems. When I am going to put it away for a month or so I will add 100/100 to keep the fuel fresh.

Very nice handling, good shock absorption, and over built landing gear, very few ad's, supported by Univar, lots to like on this old bird.

Thanks for the replies so far. I've read a lot of really good threads on the Stinson on here, and that is why I'm getting more turned on to the idea (with regards to handling, ease of upkeep, strength of airframe, etc). Mostly concerned about getting stuck with super expensive engine issues, especially on an engine with 1100 SMOH and no availability of mogas.

I live in the northeast, and hangars are not an option for me. They are rediculously priced if you can even get into one. So it is keep it outside, or no airplane for me. Had a shot at a partnership with a hangar, but something about the plane just didn't feel right.

I fly a metalized stinson 108-2 and find it to be a wonderful plane. When I had to keep it outside all the time the major issue was moisture inside the plane, trouble with radios, instruments and fabric interior. Couldn't keep paper charts or books in the cockpit or they were wet all the time. Of course I live in a temperate rain forest to there you go.

I have the 0-435 Lyc and it has good and bad like most things, bad: cylinder problems, prop issue fuel burn
good: plenty of power, easy to work on. I actually have more issue with the damn prop than the engine. No, that is not quite right, I have more issue with Hartzell. Horribly expensive, lousy service, no help after the sale at all.

The plane itself is super, flies so smooth and easy, lands gently, makes even a ham fisted fool look good with the oil shock landing gear. Here at sea level in dead calm air I can get off in under 300 and land about the same, I can carry just about what ever I can stuff in it for load. The book says somewhere around 800 lbs load but rumor has it that it will do more.

It is way lots faster than a 170 and you have that nice strong steel cage around you.

Find a nice one and enjoy it.

The Stinson is a great plane. I have been flying Stinsons for over 30 years . They are slow , but respond real well.
1100 hours on the engin is a lot of time for the Franklin. But with care and TLC they will last to 2200 hours.
A metal Stinson is added weight and will make it even slower. The repairs are not cheep if you ding it.
There is a lot of things one can do to make a great plane even better. I will have have a 165 Hp. Franklin
with less the 400 hours comeing up soon. I will be upgrading to the 0470 Con. I have a lot of spair parts for the Stinson. I sold my hangar and will be selling all of the Stinson parts. Thing is I live in Alaska.
If you go with the Stinson you will not go wrong.

Fly safe.. Ken in Alaska

Jesse you might want to look at Cessna 170s.There are more of them than Stinsons and it sounds like a 170B would fit your needs.Give me a call sometime and we'll go fly.You need to come to the island anyway.

Bill

shorton wrote:...I have the 0-435 Lyc and it has good and bad like most things, bad: cylinder problems, prop issue fuel burn
good: plenty of power, easy to work on. I actually have more issue with the damn prop than the engine. No, that is not quite right, I have more issue with Hartzell. Horribly expensive, lousy service, no help after the sale at all.....

I know a guy with an O-435 powered 108, I don't know if he has the old controllable prop or just what. Is that the Hartzell you're referring to, or is yours a constant speed? The guy I know is (slowly) converting his to an O-540 Lycoming, he bought the mount & stuff from somebody down in Oregon or Idaho who's done several conversions. No STC, every one's been a field approval. He's gonna be running a 90" (?) fixed pitch MacCauley prop, I believe it's off a Pawnee 235.
I believe there were O-435 powered Stinson L5's with both fixed & controllable props-- maybe a fixed pitch prop (with no AD's!) is a viable option for you.

There's a yellow Stinson on barnstormers with a O-435 right now.

hotrod150 wrote:

shorton wrote:...I have the 0-435 Lyc and it has good and bad like most things, bad: cylinder problems, prop issue fuel burn
good: plenty of power, easy to work on. I actually have more issue with the damn prop than the engine. No, that is not quite right, I have more issue with Hartzell. Horribly expensive, lousy service, no help after the sale at all.....

I know a guy with an O-435 powered 108, I don't know if he has the old controllable prop or just what. Is that the Hartzell you're referring to, or is yours a constant speed? The guy I know is (slowly) converting his to an O-540 Lycoming, he bought the mount & stuff from somebody down in Oregon or Idaho who's done several conversions. No STC, every one's been a field approval. He's gonna be running a 90" (?) fixed pitch MacCauley prop, I believe it's off a Pawnee 235.
I believe there were O-435 powered Stinson L5's with both fixed & controllable props-- maybe a fixed pitch prop (with no AD's!) is a viable option for you.

I looked at a Stinson 4 years ago with an 0-435 and was told problem was only one prop for that engine that is approved , parts expensive and hard to find. Not sure if that was true or not

Garth

I'm a former 108-2 owner. Great planes, very easy to fly. If you ground loop a Stinson you were just not meant to fly a taildragger. Also very strong airframes. If you put an uncovered Stinson and Piper side by side you'll never get in a Piper again. The Stinson is that much more substantial. If you are thinking of buying a Stinson I encourage you to join the International Stinson Club. http://www.stinsonclub.org/new_site/ Lots of good info and helpful people there. I wouldn't worry about finding a light case Franklin engine. They were all replaced years ago. You can still get a Franklin engine overhauled but there are few people who do it. If you are a member of the Stinson club you'll have access to the latest information on where to get an overhaul. I wouldn't worry so much about the number of hours on a Franlkin, I'd look at how long ago the overhaul was done. Chances are your 1100 hour engine was overhauled 25 or 30 years ago which means it's time for another overhaul regardless of the hours. I'm not a fan of metalized Stinson but to each his own. My understanding is the parts for the O-435 engines are pretty rare, something else to discuss with the members of the Stinson Club. Good luck.