Plane with out VAR Crank

[Kevin B]

I am looking at a plane that does not have the new var crankshafts what is the draw back or down side? 758 frt and rear eng.

[Mitch Taylor]

The only drawback I see is that you'll have to pony up for the VAR crankshafts when you have the engines overhauled, or if you have to split the cases for any reason. From what I hear, the VAR cranks aren't really much better than the old ones. If you factor in the added cost of replacing the crankshafts at overhaul, and figure that into the purchase price, you shouldn't have any problem.

Mitch
67-21309

[Bob Cook]

Kevin

Past posts indicate the reliability is not much different. The cost is about 7k for the crank and there may be some trade in allowance if you do a factory reman.

Check to see what the cases are. The HEAVY cases have an "H" stamped on the side. There will be a penalty on overhaul if you have the light cases. Also check closely around the bearing journals and insure there are NO CRACKS in the case before purchase.

hope this helps.

Bob

[kevin]

And make sure you do the math completely. Paying for a VAR crank and heavy case at overhaul is a lot of bucks. Unless you get a reman from Continental, in which case I don't believe there is an extra charge.

Also, not sure if Bob said this clearly enough. Light cases *are* a problem, cracks do develop, so I would stay away from light case engines unless you can get the airplane cheap enough to make you not care if you have to do an overhaul right away.

Kevin (Mackenzie)

[Kevin B]

Thanks for the responce I now have a copy of the SB that details it . They must be replaced at Overhaul or when the case is split.