Crankshaft and engine help needed - PA28-180B
Our 1964 Uk based and registered PA28-180B is a great aircraft but the engine is in bits at a UK specialist. Lycoming advised the crankshaft should be scrapped. The specialist thought it could be refurbished before they sent it to the US, so now we are stuck.
A new crankshaft is £8000 (around $12000) on top of the current £26000 engine bill. Help please!
1) does anyone know of a crankshaft we can buy that is serviceable or fit for a refurbishment to make it serviceable?
2) or...does anyone know of any engine options we could try (engine swap for a different engine that's available/lower cost/serviceable), or are there any low cost conversions available for a different type of engine that's known to work and UK CAA compliant?
This could be the straw that breaks the camel'c back so any help will be gratefully received! Crankshaft part number is
13B47120 (Lycoming)
AEL36002-1 (Continental)
I think our engine was only in production short term so it's not the most common variant. Thank you Paul. (paul@hitchenfamily.co.uk, +447900266666)
Comments
Sorry to hear of your situation! Looking at the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) for the PA-28-180 series, the aircraft was certificated for either the Lycoming O-360-A3A or the O-360-A4A engine. If you have the A3A installed it has a hollow crankshaft and if you have the more common A4A installed, it has the solid crankshaft. I do not know which crank your aircraft has, or the aircraft serial number, but if you have an A3A and are looking for that crankshaft, you might have better luck finding a good O-360-A4A on the used market or perhaps a good A4A core for overhaul. If you have time, it might be worth a call to Poplar Grove Airmotive, 1-800-397-8181, a local overhaul shop here in Illinois that has a good reputation for quality work or one of the aircraft salvage companies such as Wentworth Aircraft at 1-800-493-6896. Both have web sites for more information. I hope some of this info helps you!
Regards,
Mike
I agree with Mike, the A4A was considered an improved crankshaft.
Jim
many thanks for the advice