Looking at the Lycoming R680
     another big ol' radial

The R985 is much to heavy.
   ... with that being said I'll need to look at a few other options.

The Lycoming 680R seems to be out there in pretty good quantity and the weight is right. Not too shabby on power either; 300 hp. (I still would like to hang that R985 on the front of the 'bolt though.) : )

Where to begin ??? Right here. Thinking of how to go about collecting information.

Lycoming R680

The R-680 was the first aircraft engine that Lycoming manufactured. It's design and reliability established Lycoming as a leader in the design and manufacture of aircraft engine.

The R-680 was introduced in 1929 and was manufactured until after WW II.

Total built: Over 25,000 (quite a few to choose from)
Radial Piston Engine
Nine Cylinders
Displacement: 681 cubic inches

Models:
  R-680-9 : 295 hp
  R-680-13 : 280 hp
  R-680-17 : 220 hp
  R-680-BA (produced in 1932)
    Dimensions:
    Diameter 109.9 cm (43.25 in.)
    Length 92.5 cm (36.43 in.)

    Physical Description:
    Type: Radial, 9 cylinders, air cooled
    Power rating: 179 kW (240 hp) at 2,000 rpm
    Displacement: 11 L (680 cu in)
    Weight: 225 kg (505 lb)

These were used on many of the aircraft of that era; Cessna AT-8 Bobcat, Curtiss-Wright AT-9 Fledgling, Sterman PT-19 Kaydet, Stinson Reliant....

A little history...
Lycoming started off life being known as Demorest Manufacturing Company, located in Williamsport, PA. Founded by Madame Ellen Curtis Demorest in 1845. For the next 60 years, Demorest produced all kinds of items, bicycles, typewriters, sewing machines, gas irons, printing presses and duplicators.

In 1907, Demorest restructured and was named Lycoming Foundry and Machine Company. It focused on designing and manufacturing engines, car engines at the time. Lycoming engines powered such vehicles as the Cord, Auburn and Duesenberg. (As a side note: I also read that Lycoming was operating as a small subsidiary of the Auburn Auto Comany. Not sure at the moment if this was when it was Lycoming Foundry and Machine Company.)

Now were getting to the good part...
In April of 1929, a TravelAir biplane was the first aircraft to hang a Lycoming aircraft engine on the front end of it. It was a R-980 of 215 hp. Over the next twenty years, Lycoming built over 25,000 examples of the R-680 radial engine and established a worldwide reputation for excellence that lives on to this day.

Lycoming switched hands in 1932 and was purchased by the Aviation Corporation. This is the same company that produced Stinton aircraft and the Smith variable-pitch propellers.

In seraching the internet I saw this father and son team as being a source for rebuilding these beautiful engines:

Sanders Airmotive Inc
14017 Southwest 104th Street
Mustang, OK 7304-9739

405-376-3660

They've set-up shop in an old converted barn located on a 15,000 acre dairy farm. There's also a 2500' grass strip that they use primarily for their own use.

OK.... off to find more information on these Lycomings.