Evaluating 1975 Decathlon purchase

D

dleonian

New member
I'm looking at a '75 Decathlon and trying to evaluate what it's going to need. It has a current annual and got new metal-spar wings a few years back. Condition is good for it's age, with new fabric/paint fairly recently. About 850 hours TTAF. Hangared for the past 7 years at least, and tended by a really good old-timer A&P guy.

Here's the rub. The aircraft has seen very little use, essentially none in the last year since the owner lost his medical. And obviously, not much use before that.

Should I assume that I'm looking at an engine overhaul? I'm basing this question on the age of the original engine (low hours notwithstanding) and especially the lack of use. Same question for the CS prop.

The economics don't pencil out if there's a $20,000 engine rebuild looming, and the seller is firm on the price ($60,000).

Any replies would be greatly appreciated.
 
The guy I purchased my low time 79 7eca from, thought he had found and purchased a great 2-owner 7eca. The plane, when he bought it, only had 750 TT. in late 1999. Since 2000 he found the plane had to be worked on constantly -- he spent over $46,000.00 in needed repairs and upgrades. This included new top engine overhaul, new ACA wings, carburator, alternator, voltage regulator, paint, interior, new radio, gps, transponder, tires, brakes, etc., etc....

My point is: the roughest thing on some planes is lack of use. This guy could have purchased a new plane for what he spent on this older low time airplane. I am glad he did all of this work because I think I have a great plane.

Good luck in finding your Citabria.

Mike O.

P.S. Just my story -- maybe other low time planes won't be as much trouble.
 
The aeroplane sounds interesting.

I would agree to the price provided the vendor pulled a cylinder and allowed an internal inspection.

If no corrosion, treat it as a a run in and give it beans for an hour - drop the oil, repeat for 5 hours, drop the oil, then evaluate - I doubt you will be disapointed.

The prop will be good, we have a new c/s prop in store that has a shelf life of 3 years before any inspection is needed.

If in doubt, hold back $5,000 for the first 10 hours of running and be honest with each other, after all we all share a common interest.
 
I agree with Mr. Newall. At a minimum, pull a cylinder and have a qualified mechanic perform an internal inspection on the engine. I bought a '76 7GCBC last summer with 1100 TT that seemed to be in excellent shape to the ignorant eye. Flew it 15 hours before need for overhaul was discovered. I am now flying it again after spending over $15K rebuilding the engine. I wish I would have asked some more questions on this forum before my purchase. Good luck.

Joe in MT
 
I'm selling my 68 7ECA only because I need four seats and since I fly it for work more speed would offer more utility. I wish I could afford to keep two planes but I can't. Anyway, I found a very nice older mooney m20f. Hangered by the same owner for the last 32 years and very well maintained. I called two mooney service centers about getting a prebuy. When I told them about the engine they both told me forget it. It's got 110 hours on a mattituck overhaul but it was done ten years ago. Both shops told me that with so little time on the engine it would need to be rebuilt in a few hours because the cam would be corroded and the cylinders pitted. I asked some other mechanics and they said that was probably true but I might get lucky. I can't afford to be unlucky so unless the seller will drop the price to cover part or all of a rebuild, I'll have to pass.
Dave
68 7ECA
 
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