Jerry Napoliano wrote:
: As I've been discussing in another thread, I'm evaluating a 1982 C172P
: for purchase. I was using $20k as the TOTAL cost of an engine
: replacement, but apparently that is high.

: I'd like to hear from owners that have experience with this. If I
: take it in at 2000 hrs, what am I going to pay (read: how much will
: the check be) to get to 0 SMOH? I presume there are variables, like
: having an annual done at the same time, helping with the swap, etc.
: For budgeting and negotiating purposes, though, what should I figure
: on to get it back to 0 time?

: Thanks all!

The overhaul cost depends primarily on what you want to spend. If there isn't
anything major wrong (like needing to replace the crank) and you did all the work
yourself it could be "cheap." If you reused the jugs, replaced the minimum hardware
(rod bolts, gaskets, etc), and magnefluxed the steel parts, you could theoretically
get by with $2000. Not recommended and certainly not much of an overhaul, but often
done by people trying to sell a "0 SMOH" airplane. Consider these ballpark numbers:

Not really optional (opinions vary, though)
$1300 each for 4 jugs, maybe half that for used (not recommended)
$1500 steel inspection
$1500 hardware (bolts, gaskets, etc)
$4000 labor

Slightly more optional
$0-$5k Accessory overhauls (mags, alternator, starter, vac pump, etc)
$0-$2.5k Prop overhaul/replacement

Potential big ticket expenses
$2.5k crank
$1.5k cam
$2k? case halves if worn.


So, saying $20k for an "overhaul" is probably a bit high on the average, but
not necessarily. If you take it to a white-shirt aircraft shop and say, "Please
overhaul my engine with a zero-time factory overhaul," it'll run you more than $20k.
If you befriend a salty old mechanic, do the work yourself, and only replace the bare
essentials, $5k could be possible, or $10k with new jugs.

As with everything else... "it's complicated"...

-Cory

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