Brand new, still in the shipping crate: a new Jabiru 3300, serial number 554

A fellow pilot at the airport called me up. He is cleaning out his hanger and wanted my opinion on an engine he bought new and never used. Its a new 3300 engine, serial number 554. It has never been removed from the shipping crate. In fact, the prop flange is still bolted to the shipping crate so its not been turned since it was shipped from the factory. This is a solid lifter engine with thick finned heads. The exhaust pipes and muffler are different than any of the three engines I have owned. The exhaust pipes seem to collect together into a single pipe on each side before going into the muffler. Nothing missing as near as I can tell. The Bing carburetor is in there. I estimate that the engine is close to 20 years old but I don't know for sure and the owner does not remember exactly when he bought it.

I pulled a spark plug on each cylinder and took some pictures with my scope, which I have uploaded. A link to the pictures is below. Because the engine was not rotated, in cylinders where the piston was at the top of the stroke, the cylinder walls are not visible nor was it possible to articulate the scope 180 degrees to look back at the valves, however the scope has a side-view camera which I used when it seemed helpful.

 
My impression: Yes there is a small amount of rust but nothing that would stop me from flying this engine (I am not an A&P) but I have done 100% of the work on the three engines I have owned. Most important, the bottom-end looks clean. There is little to no rust on the cylinder walls. The limited amount of rust on valves and seats would likely be gone after a short while of normal operation.
 
These is no reason why this engine would not start and run quickly. If it were my engine I would replace all the rubber parts in the Bing carb before first flight, especially the diaphragm. I have not researched for any Jabiru upgrade recommendations on sn554, so I am not commenting on that.
 
Because the owner is in ill health, he as ask me to try to sell the engine for him. Anyone interested in the engine should contact me with an offer. I don't think the owner will take less than around $10,000 but feel free to offer as you see fit. If such a person wishes, the engine can be rotated and probably started in the crate with some effort; not something I want to do, but would for a serious buyer.
 
The images were taken in this order: Engine in crate, cylinders 1, 3, 5,   2, 4, 6 then pictures of the bottom-end. A picture of the head for a cylinder is shown before the internal pictures for that cylinder.
 
 
Steve
 

Views: 40

Reply to This

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
 

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...


Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith
:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.


Zenith Homecoming Tee:


Zenair Floats


Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz


Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2025   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service