I am looking at buying a Stinson at some point in the fairly near future (hopefully).

Do you all think it would be wise to just buy a -2 or preferably a -3 with the 165 for pretty cheap and get flying and do the "super" conversion later on or should I buck up and find one already done?

I realize the work that goes into the conversion, however, I'd really like to have the O-360 conversion instead of the more common O-470 or 220 Franklin so I can have the option for the mo gas STC. So, why pay for work that has already been done if it isn't exactly what I want? I'd love to have a 220hp option but don't see any STC's that fit the bill for mo gas.

Any suggestions?

It's always cheaper to buy a plane with the engine you want. I bet you would spend more on the conversion than you did on the purchase price of the airplane. Also, you can get a mogas STC for the 150 or 165 Franklin.

Yeah but those two engines are not big enough!

Not that my opinion is really worth anything but I wouldn't think the O360 is a big enough improvement over the 165 to be worth it except for the CS prop. When I was really wanting a 108 I was told by current owners that the 165 is pretty good power wise. If you want mogas and a notable power increase then the o470 is the way to go...I think.

The 0-470 doesn't have moGas Stc? Most 470s are able to run moGas and it is STCd in most types...

We had a local guy with a 108-3 with the
180 Lycoming and constant speed. He towed banners with it for years, great performer. He said if he had it to do over he would have had the same power plant
in a 108-2, thought the -2 was better in crosswinds.
Dave

Is looked on Peterson's, didn't see anything for the 470. That would definitely be an upgrade, where do you see that STC?

Jerry Cooper Has both the stinsons you talk of.He has a lot of hours in the 165 franklin the 0470 and the 0360 ,He holds the stc for the 360 conversion [ Coopers Landing Stinson LLC] Give him a call he has no problem talking about Stinsons .he can tell you all the advantages of all the Stinsons . He has a 470 -3 and a 360-2 . the -2 is for sale. he also has parts and pieces. I am putting together a 360-3 and have flown his 470 and his 360 both AWESOME planes with Great performance, the 165 isn't bad . but give him a call with your questions and thoughts

Thanks, I'll look him up!

Jerry Cooper truly is a Guru on Stinsons, His # is 509-947-3168

I did some more digging looking for Jerry. Found a mo gas STC for the 470 listed under the continental brand. Sent him an email, hooefully he'll respond!

Cooper5g you have a cool list of airplanes!
This your MO? Good airframe+ engine that it should have had from the factory+ tail wheel moved to correct end=fun?
Anyways just noticed that, back to the topic at hand..

Hello all,

I with much regret am selling my Super Stinson. Mine is a straight 108 (1,292) empty weight with a 0-360. Low time motor with Lycon cylinders. Lycon claims a little over 200hp. A truly awesome airplane with a 880 useful load. I had it sold to the first person to contact me but his financing fell through so it is back on the market.

The 470 Stinson is an awesome plane! That being said, if you're not afraid to drop the money, get the 360 STC and go field approval to up it to a 390. The last one I was working on had that and an MT prop. It can be done.
If I was to do one, I'd go a -3 with the 470, because I don't have the money to go the other route. It's a great performer! I definitely agree that the way to go is buy one already done, unless you're like me and love to do the work.
John

The orange airplane, N108TD, is a Puget Sound area airplane. I've seen it around & checked it out a bit. But I believe it has a Continental IO-360, not a 470 or a Lyc.

TxAgfisher wrote:Is looked on Peterson's, didn't see anything for the 470. That would definitely be an upgrade, where do you see that STC?

I have an old Petersen Aviation brochure, it lists the
470-A, E, J, K, L, R, S, -4,-11, -11B, -11C, -11B-C1, -13, -13A, -15,
and the IO-470-J & K.
The EAA mogas STC also includes the 470, I just bought one from them last fall.

I was curious and googled it up-- Jerry Cooper of Pasco (Coopers Landing LLC) apparently bought out the guy at Lands End in Kimberly Oregon with the Bobcat STC(s).

A dash 2 or dash 3 with a frank 220 is a real nice plane. We had 2or3 down here (aun) and the peeps really flew em a lot.
I have been in the right seat of a 220 -3 and it jumps off the ground with 2 200lb plus dudes in it. 1500' DA & auburn,ca
Contact the southwest/international Stinson club and get all the info you need. Good luck. Charlie

TxAgfisher wrote:Is looked on Peterson's, didn't see anything for the 470. That would definitely be an upgrade, where do you see that STC?

I have a peterson STC for the O-470R in my 180. It is listed on the website.

hotrod180 wrote:The orange airplane, N108TD, is a Puget Sound area airplane. I've seen it around & checked it out a bit. But I believe it has a Continental IO-360, not a 470 or a Lyc.

I believe you're wrong about the engine..... since I'm the one that rebuilt it. It does live at Bayview...Toby Dunlap owns it. It also has my aux fuel tank STC installed.

The 220 Franklin Stinsons are a great airplane...but parts are tough to come by, and the gal at Franklin engines says it's not going to get that much better for a while....plus you get to deal with the prop that's installed.
John

If I were to ever think about another certified aircraft, I would be on the lookout for a -3 Super Stinson. Never flown one but I sure like the way they look on 31" ABW's.