"Bill A." wrote in message
...


On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 21:21:06 -0500, " jls"
wrote:


"Bill A." wrote in message
link.net...
I'm still trying to select an aircraft to build from scratch and it's
starting to look like it's coming down to the engine (budget reasons of
course). I really like the Pietenpol Aircamper but from what I've read
you
need a Rotex

Rotax? Nope. Pietenpols use old Ford A-Model engines, Corvair
engines,
and affordable old Continentals like the A-65 and C-85. If you are on a
tight budget in Southern California, the Pietenpol Aircamper may be the
way
to go. Do a google and you'll find all kinds of Piet groups. The Piet
clan gather every summer in Brodhead, Wisconsin for a fly-in. It is
said
that if you visit with them a spell will be cast over you and you'll be a
Piet-head for the rest of your life.

I've done a bit of searching online but I can't seem to find
any Continentals for sale that aren't already attached to
something. Where would I find some and what's the ballpark
price? Are Corvair engines still around with as few
Corvairs that were produced I would think the supply would be
limited (along with parts) and can you still find Ford Model
A engines any more, much less parts? What would be the most
economical, commonly used engine out there now a days?

Try Barnstormers.com, Trade-a-Plane, and Ebaymotors.com for old
Continentals. We just found one, an A-65 we can convert to A-80, nearby
for just over 1k and will put about 2k in it for rebuild. For 3k you can't
beat it. Subarus will work too, as someone suggested. You probably need
a redrive for a high-turning Soob engine. Corvair engines are plentiful
and parts are not hard to find. And believe or not there are plenty of old
A-Model Ford engines, but I don't know the price. I'll ask a friend who
just bought one.

I do recall an A-65-powered Piet with a big lead weight bolted to the front
of the engine. I wouldn't want that so when you build the Piet designed
for the heavy Ford engine, you have to be careful about W&B.

Just keep shaking the bushes and you will find it. Get somebody to send
you the old articles from Mechanix Illustrated where Bernie Pietenpol said
he could have you flying for about $500 and you'll be sold. Or was that
$200? 50?