Pa-20's and O-290 engines
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Pa-20's and O-290 engines
This is one for the oldtimers... Ive been reading up on the Pa-20, and considering the cost in relation to the Pa-18, it looks like a better alternative. I have time only on the Pa-18, so I would appreciate opinions on the comparisons of the two machines. I would be using it for some cross-country, but mostly stubble-jumping/crop checking. I have heard the 0-290 is good, but hard to get cylinders. Any thoughts?
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation." -Herbert Spencer
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Old Dog Flying
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Re: Pa-20's and O-290 engines
Gapper: The PA-20 may have 4 seats but with 125 hp 0-290 it is really a dog so be careful of the load. It will not operate very well from a grass strip with a load. As for the 0-290 cylinders, yes they are very hard to find and very expensive. Other parts are equally hard to locate. You would be better off with the engine replaced by an 0-320.
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lost in the north
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Re: Pa-20's and O-290 engines
they can be found.....about a 1000 per cylinder...have you talked to Hap recently? 
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sstocker31
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Re: Pa-20's and O-290 engines
OK, I'm a longtime lurker, but finally have something to say, first post.
The Pacer is a great little airplane.....I have one, with a O-290 on it.
I originally had it in Yellowknife@ 675' ASL , and now its in the Edmonton area @ 2300'ASL. I noticed a big difference in the performance of this little bird at the different elevations. In YK this thing really performed nicely, about 1000'/min. with just me and full tanks. In EG at the same weight I only get 450'/min.
I think its a good aircraft for two with lots of gear, and its a tight squeeze for 4 with not much room for gear.
Because of the short wing cruise performance is good, but you cannot compare short field performance with a PA18....they are far better. Having said that, the Pacer 125 isn't a poor performer at reasonable weights.....its just not as good.
The O290 is hard to find parts for.... there is vertually no support for them anymore, and when you do find them they are expensive. Ring sets alone 10 years ago were US $125 per set, thats $500 just for the rings, now all you have to do is find them. (Elreno Aviation had a good supply of parts last time I phoned).
I have intentions of putting a O320 on mine within the next five years or so, as the extra power, and better parts supply will make me feel good
Hope this helps
The Pacer is a great little airplane.....I have one, with a O-290 on it.
I originally had it in Yellowknife@ 675' ASL , and now its in the Edmonton area @ 2300'ASL. I noticed a big difference in the performance of this little bird at the different elevations. In YK this thing really performed nicely, about 1000'/min. with just me and full tanks. In EG at the same weight I only get 450'/min.
I think its a good aircraft for two with lots of gear, and its a tight squeeze for 4 with not much room for gear.
Because of the short wing cruise performance is good, but you cannot compare short field performance with a PA18....they are far better. Having said that, the Pacer 125 isn't a poor performer at reasonable weights.....its just not as good.
The O290 is hard to find parts for.... there is vertually no support for them anymore, and when you do find them they are expensive. Ring sets alone 10 years ago were US $125 per set, thats $500 just for the rings, now all you have to do is find them. (Elreno Aviation had a good supply of parts last time I phoned).
I have intentions of putting a O320 on mine within the next five years or so, as the extra power, and better parts supply will make me feel good
Hope this helps
Re: Pa-20's and O-290 engines
Thanks Sstocker31. Have you every flown beside a Stinson, and if you have, how do they compare to your machine?
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation." -Herbert Spencer
Re: Pa-20's and O-290 engines
If it is the O 290 D2 it was rated at 140 HP. The crank throw spacing and con rod length are the same as the O-320 if I remember correctly. The oil sumps will actually swap between the O-235 to the O-320 on some models. The bore in the sump for the carb is larger on the O-320 and a few guys have tried swapping sumps and carbs from the O-320 onto the O-290 and O-235 to hop them up with . The case studs are not really strong enough on the O-235 C1B allthough the crank will certainly take it.
You can machine the case to accept O-320 jugs but I don't know if it is worth it. Plus unless it is owner maintenance you are asking for trouble.
You can machine the case to accept O-320 jugs but I don't know if it is worth it. Plus unless it is owner maintenance you are asking for trouble.
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sstocker31
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Re: Pa-20's and O-290 engines
No I never have flown side to side with one, but I do know a guy that has one and he says its a 120 mph machine and very thirsty 10GPH...... mines a 120 mph machine on 7GPH.gapper wrote:Thanks Sstocker31. Have you every flown beside a Stinson, and if you have, how do they compare to your machine?
