Experimental engine question

Curious to know what engines cost, I was searching on eBay for o-360
engines and came across a listing for a Lycoming O-360-A1D
Experimental engine. I thought, since Lycoming's O-360's are used in
production airplanes, that these engines have to hold FAA non-
experimental status.

I know that there are engines that have not yet been certified by the
FAA, e.g. the Deltahawk Diesels, and some that never will be like the
Mazda 13B conversions. I am a little confused, however, about a well
known engine from a commercial airplane engine mfr carrying this
designation.

Can someone help me with understanding a little more about what this
"experimental" designation might mean?

(Actual listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Avia...7C24 0%3A1318)

Note that this is an expired listing so you'll have to have (or
register for) an eBay account to see it.

I'm a newby to the list, but I think I can answer.

An engine would be marketed as "Experimental" for any of several
reasons. Firstly if the documentation is missing, IE the engine log,
the the certification status can't be proved. Secondly, if the engine
has any parts or accessories that are not FAA certified for a
particular cerfied airplane installation then it can only be installed
in an experimental airplane. Examples of this would be aftermarket
ignition systems, aftermarket fuel injection systems, aftermarket
alternators, etc. You also couldn't install, for example, a Bendix
fuel injection system from a IO320-BIA (Twin Cherokee) on a O320-E2D
on a Cessna 172 unless someone has gone through the hoops of getting
that combination certified by the FAA. ($$$)

Suitabliliy of engines used on Experimental airplanes are entirely at
the discretion of the builder.

Hope this helps
Gerry

On Feb 5, 10:54*am, es330td wrote:
Curious to know what engines cost, I was searching on eBay for o-360
engines and came across a listing for a Lycoming O-360-A1D
Experimental engine. *I thought, since Lycoming's O-360's are used in
production airplanes, that these engines have to hold FAA non-
experimental status.

I know that there are engines that have not yet been certified by the
FAA, e.g. the Deltahawk Diesels, and some that never will be like the
Mazda 13B conversions. *I am a little confused, however, about a well
known engine from a commercial airplane engine mfr carrying this
designation.

Can someone help me with understanding a little more about what this
"experimental" designation might mean?

(Actual listing:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Avia...coming-O-360-A...)

Note that this is an expired listing so you'll have to have (or
register for) an eBay account to see it.

On Feb 5, 10:54*am, es330td wrote:
Curious to know what engines cost, I was searching on eBay for o-360
engines and came across a listing for a Lycoming O-360-A1D
Experimental engine. *I thought, since Lycoming's O-360's are used in
production airplanes, that these engines have to hold FAA non-
experimental status.

I know that there are engines that have not yet been certified by the
FAA, e.g. the Deltahawk Diesels, and some that never will be like the
Mazda 13B conversions. *I am a little confused, however, about a well
known engine from a commercial airplane engine mfr carrying this
designation.

Can someone help me with understanding a little more about what this
"experimental" designation might mean?

(Actual listing:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Avia...coming-O-360-A...)

Note that this is an expired listing so you'll have to have (or
register for) an eBay account to see it.

See this:
http://www.lycoming.com/engines/non-...ied/index.html

And this:
http://www.xp-series.com/

Uncertified means cheaper, since the owner/builder has to assume the
risks.

Dan