Have not yet bought one myself, just have done a lot of research towards it.
http://www.covingtonaircraft.com/future.asp
From that article:
Quote:
"The availability of the Pratt & Whitney R-1340, as a long-term power source, has been a concern of operators for as long as I can remember. The concern stemmed from the fact that there were only 34,966 of these engines produced. Production ceased around 1960 in favor of the more technologically advanced jet engine. People worried about running out of replacement parts such as cranks, cams, etc. I remember when Pratt & Whitney R-1340 crankshafts cost less than $1,000. The problem is that no one will produce a crankshaft that they have to charge $8,500 for when a surplus unit is available for $1,000 - and can you blame them? However, now that U/S crankshafts cost around $6,500 to 7,000 it's no longer unfeasible to produce and sell new crankshafts."
As my understanding is, a "0-timed" engine does not have to be a NOS one,
but rather an engine that has every part that wears or fatigues replaced or rebuilt to new-engine standard size (wear) and time limits.
Whenever I start to wonder about the possibilitiy of getting a C-119 flying, only to run out of engine parts, all I need to remember is two words:
Martin Mars
They are still running the same type of engines, R-3350-24W's, that the Navy did in the 1940's when they were built! All in all, only about 50,000 3350's of all types were made by Curtiss-Wright, most probably for the Constellation. I have googled around and only found 3 aircraft that used that engine (-24W). Three!
Also, only 7 Mars were built, meaning that all parts must be machined as no spares exist. (Which is why Coulson was smart, and has his own machine-shop for the Mars.)
So, as long as someone needs them, and can pay for them, they should be there.
(Also, parts may be hard to find, but most people eventually found those parts, as even though the supply may be low, it still suits the demand. At least most of the time.

)
-Chaz