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GPU O-290 fuel consumption

My old O-290 just sipped gas, only a tad more than a 90 GPU.

Mine had an MA3 Carb on it. I havent seen automotive carbs on aircraft engines. Some of the GPUs do use them though.

Scotty
 
What I really want to know would a !2 gallon fuel tank be large enough. Should have asked this to start with.
 
I had an O-290 G that had a simple two barrel carburetor and it sipped gas too. Actually it uses 5 to 6 gallons per hour at wide open throttle. A 12 gallon tank should give you a good two hour ride time with fuel to spare since you won't be running wide open all the time. I don't remember what carburetor I used but anyone that fits and provides 350cfm's should work fine. If you change the sump to an aircraft sump you can use a Marvel MA3SPA updraft carb..
 
Where do you get one of those Carbs and is it an aircraft carb I am building a 0290 g right now my self and it came wit an aircraft sump
 
Sniper they make a 350CFM Holley two Barrel. You can buy bran new cheap! It's just like the 500cfm two barrel but it flows a little less. The 350CFM will almost have the same CFM per cubic inch as a 500cfm on a GPU470.
 
You need to check with Gary Barber, JC Stanley or any of the aircraft guys that have dealt with that engine to get the right answer. It was a long time ago when I got mine. It may have even been a single barrel carburetor. I think it was a Holley and it cost less than $90. I would recommend getting an aircraft sump and going with the Marvel. However, just about any carb should work. You can make an adapter plate if the one you pick doesn't bolt right up. The carb was just one you would find on any old junk yard six banger car or truck. The one I got was brand new. You could try a $20 Junk Yard carb to see if you get full RPM out of the engine and go from there.
 
I have an 0-290 gpu with a 150 sump. I run a MA4SPA carb on it. Unless you have a custom intake or the original sump it would be hard to run a auto carb on it. I have a 12 gallon tank and that usually lasts about 8-10 hrs. depending on how I run. MA-3SPA would also work but both will need to jetted correctly depending on what pistons, cylinders,etc. you have. Mine has dome tops with the cut valve reliefs , and all cylinders are p20's, so that's why I have the MA4SPA.
 
My old 290 would burn about 1 gal. for every 3 gal.s
my buddys 540 would burn. with a 15 gal tank, I could run
pretty hard all night and still have some in the tank.
 
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