Who’s still using a C145?

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher

Post Reply
alaskan9974
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed May 06, 2020 6:48 am

Who’s still using a C145?

Post by alaskan9974 »

I had a broken lifter back in May when I bought my 170. Consequently tore it down and reassembled after specing everything out. Luckily crank and cam were within new spec.

Nobody had a new cam in stock so had to send mine out. Cylinders were a little easier to find but still had to order them from out of state. Oil pan was nonexistent and had to buy a couple until I found one with no corrosion.

Still cheaper then a 180hp conversion, since I stick fairly close to home it’s not really needed for my uses. If I need a bigger motor I switch to a different plane. Wondering who is still using the older C145, other then the broken lifter the inside of the motor looked mint.
'53 B-model SN:25712
User avatar
Richgj3
Posts: 191
Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 3:13 pm

Re: Who’s still using a C145?

Post by Richgj3 »

I am. 2700 TT. 250 SMOH. 1952 C170B
Rich Giannotti CFI-A. CFI-I SE.
1952 C170B
N2444D s/n 20596
User avatar
GAHorn
Posts: 21003
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm

Re: Who’s still using a C145?

Post by GAHorn »

Lots and lots of C-145’s still in-use. The O-300 is basically only a redesignation. (Some very minor changes but even those have been mostly adapted to C145’s at rebuilds/repairs. One change involved the swap of steel cam with iron lifters vs iron cam and steel lifters. Another change made was the lobes to provide longer overlap of valves. Many changes are invisible to the end-user because superseded part numbers took care of revisions. Much of this is anecdotal.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
barrymaas
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 9:24 pm

Re: Who’s still using a C145?

Post by barrymaas »

I just did a field overhaul on my 1800hr c-145. 70 year old crank was in near perfect condition. Case failed overhaul, though, with a crack. Even at 1800 hours it ran fine - just leaked a good amount of oil and looked old. I can't notice a difference in power between the old and now overhauled engine. Amazing technology that lasts !
User avatar
bsdunek
Posts: 425
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2004 6:42 pm

Re: Who’s still using a C145?

Post by bsdunek »

Still running the original C-145 in my 1950 A Model. Due to low hours, it's only been overhauled once. Cylinders were honed and the pistons knurled, so those are original. Cam and lifters were scored, so those were replaced. As said, a great engine. Maybe older technology, but works for me.
Bruce
1950 170A N5559C
Post Reply