O K I have another question for you guys

shortfielder · Post by **shortfielder** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:49 am

I had a fellow contact me with a 170B with the Franlin 220hp engine. What are your thoughts on this combination and this engine. I had heard that most people liked the engines but parts were hard to get. Then I thought I read in here one time that parts were available in the US. What are your thoughts? Thanks Gary

trake · Post by **trake** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:07 am

My first thought is its got to be nose heavy, especially if its got a CS prop, check the weight and balance. Youre looking at 11 gph, pretty thirsty for standard tanks. Too many unknowns for me, Id pass

mit · Post by **mit** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:30 am

I don't likem but that don't mean squat!

shortfielder · Post by **shortfielder** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:52 am

Hi Tracy And thanks. They have moved the battery to the back of the plane. The empty weight was around 1450#. Gary

shortfielder · Post by **shortfielder** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:55 am

Hi Tim and thanks. I'm curius what you don't like about them. Gary

Dave Clark · Post by **Dave Clark** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:31 pm

Do a search here as it has been discussed before. Thems that have em love em. The problem now is they are out of production and the parts availability is uncertain.

mit · Post by **mit** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:18 am

shortfielder wrote:Hi Tim and thanks. I'm curius what you don't like about them. Gary

I don't like working on them. I haven't worked on the 220. I would much rather work on a lyc or cont.

zero.one.victor · Post by **zero.one.victor** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:26 am

I think the Franklin has some good features. There's a inspection cover on the top of the crankcase for a peek-a-boo view of the lower end. The cylinders have steel liners that can be replaced. They get 220 horsepower out of only 350 cubic inches, that's about the best power-to-displacement ratio of any flat GA engine. Trouble is, they use high compression pistons to develope that horsepower so it's a 100LL show only-no car gas. So no car gas savings. TBO is a bit low as I recall- 1500 hours, or maybe it was 1200.
So there's good and bad points,just like anything else. Gary, are you looking for a shortfield machine? If the price is right, it'd be hard to beat. Go for it!

Eric

punkin170b · Post by **punkin170b** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 9:34 pm

TBO is 1500 hours, but a new replacement costs $10/hour (15K)... at least it was supposed to back when PZL was building them. That was alot less than a new Continental or Lycoming, at the time. Rumors abound regarding a buyer of the Franklin recip line from Pratt & Whitney, but they are only rumors. I am keeping my fingers crossed...

Matt