Has anyone heard of John Stinger?

[4945]

Has anyone heard of John Stinger in Galveston, Texas? Someone by that name wants to sell me an expensive part, and I just want to verify he's real.

Gary Prost
Stockton, CA

[2066]

Has anyone heard of John Stinger in Galveston, Texas? Someone by that name wants to sell me an expensive part, and I just want to verify he's real.

Gary Prost
Stockton, CA

FWIW, no -- have not. That said, there are a significant # of "legitimate" folks selling parts (...here, Ebay & etc.) that I've never heard of (I've been around 120-140 Land since early 80s). That prob doesn't help you. In any event, you're wise to "trust but verify" as best you can.
Mac

[6643]

What's the part? What are the terms of the deal?

[4945]

What's the part? What are the terms of the deal?

Overhauled O-200 crankshaft. He wants half the money now, then he ships. I need to send it to Aircraft Specialties because they want to inspect it before signing off on their C85 STC. I offered to pay for him to ship it there, then when it passes, I send him the full amount and have them ship it to me. If it didn't pass, I'd pay for the inspection and to have it shipped back to him. He didn't want this.

I'm not accusing him of any wrongdoing. It's just that I've never met him, he's several states away from me, and I have no recourse if the deal turns out to be a scam. I had posted in the Cessna 120/140 parts page on Facebook that I needed the crank, and he replied. But I see no evidence that he's tried to sell it on Ebay or any other similar site, including this one. He wants a Venmo transfer, and has sent me three different Venmo accounts to try. I've decided to pass on it. He may very well be legitimate, but I'm not comfortable with sending thousands of dollars into the ether with no recourse.

Again, I'm not accusing anyone of any wrongdoing.

Gary Prost

[4945]

Oh, yeah. My C85 crankshaft failed inspection with a cracked flange at Aircraft Specialties. I'm looking for a C85-F or O-200 crank.

Gary

[4945]

We had been communicating via Facebook Messenger. I just looked, and all his messages have been deleted. I may have avoided a scam.

Gary

[8342]

Gary,

Pm sent.

Rick

[6643]

I offered to pay for him to ship it there, then when it passes, I send him the full amount and have them ship it to me. If it didn't pass, I'd pay for the inspection and to have it shipped back to him. He didn't want this.

Sounds like it may be moot at this point, but what you are suggesting is reasonable and common. Sort of using the repair station as an escrow agent. (If it didn't pass, I'd suggest he pay the shipping back.)

[4945]

Aircraft Specialties in Tulsa had two yellow-tagged C85-12F .020-under cranshafts on Friday, so I bought one of them. It's the safest, least-fuss, least cost alternative. The O-200 crank conversion would be great, but the airplane flew just fine with the 85 hp.

Gary

[6597]

There may be some difficulty obtaining 20 under main bearings for the C85 crankshaft. Something about a quality control issue on the part of the sub-contractors for Aircraft Specialties. I researched it not too long ago when I had my 0-200 crankshaft in for overhaul and was worried it may not meet spec for the 10 under (which I could find main bearings for).

https://www.aircraftspecialties.aero/be ... -m20-main/