schule

Scott what you are saying makes sense. The #2 always is the first to peak and #3 is always the last to peak. So with #2 established as the leanest and #3 as the richest; #2 starts to run rough around 50 degrees LOP on that cylinder with #3 at 10-15 degrees best case. The #1 & #4 get about 30-40 degrees LOP prior to #2 running rough. I have a NA IO-360 A3B6. I am trying to take any ideas on previous lessons learned before going to the mechanic with a blank check. Are leaks in the induction difficult to find? Could it be the magnetos or spark plugs? I like the idea and options created by saving around 2 GPH LOP vs safely ROP, but I do not want to kill the engine if it is not properly set up.

During my nice long trip to Alaska I had time to experiment with LOP and have a question. At 8500' the GAMI spread is right at 1 GPH, however at 12500' the GAMI spread is right at .7 GPH. #2 is the richest and #3 is the leanest in every test. This only allows me to go to around 10-15 degrees LOP before the #2 EGT starts to rise and the engine gets rough. Is it normal for the GAMI spread to decrease with altitude? -Mark

Yesterday-Bellingham WA to Anchorage AK, about 1300 NM total in 10 hrs plus a $300 cheeseburger in Sitka. It has been a long wait to finish the move from San Antonio TX. The longest leg was KBLI to PASI a bit over 5 hrs in transit plus some local flight seeing. Only used 42 gal on the entire leg. Probably could have made it to Yakatat, but I prefer to keep a healthy 2.5 reserve for unexpected Alaskan weather changes. I uploaded some pictures of the trip to the Photo Gallery. -Mark

Might try the Dual GPS. It is bluetooth linked and has provided a great backup when the Garmin 430W goes into a dead reckoning mode due to signal reliability. I bought it for my trip to AK this week and it has been well worth the $99. -Mark

Spring is finally peaking over the hill tops, so I am about to finish my trip to Alaska. Does anyone have a recommendation for electronic flight pubs, much like WingX does for the U.S.? -Mark

May 11-13: Valdez, AK annual fly-in where some bush pilots push the limits of short take off and landings. Also a couple of other events like flour bombing accuracy. It is only a day's hop out of Seattle if the weather is nice. -Mark

If you're going to St George it might be worth a stop at Apalachicola for some Apalachicola Bay oysters. Don't forget to stop by Red Bar in Grayton Beach. Just remember to bring cash! Have fun. -Mark

Here is to hoping the economy will improve.... I called SWTA a couple months ago looking for an oil cooler relocation mod. No luck and I was told they are no longer in the mod business. SWTA had a couple of nice looking mods. LASAR seems to still have several mods and parts around. My old '67 had a delux cowl mod from LASAR done in 2003. The paperwork shows it was originally designed for a C and has a field approval for the F model installation. The mod is a 201 style with significant fiberglass work. It is nice to have the lower access panels. I looked at a Lopresti cowl. Nice looking, but it might not be the most bang for your depreciating $$$$$. I may still go with one down the road because I like the look. Good luck with your project! -Mark

Nate, I have always had a good experience with MIDWEST MOONEY if Flora IL. Midwest M20 Sales and Service went under last year around August. I just called and talked to Matt (618-662-3377). He was as polite and helpful this morning as when I asked for his help while stranded in NM early Feb. He spent an hour searching through parts books to help me find a part number to order and never complained or asked how much are ya gonna pay me for this. Matt is the last remnant of the old M20 Sales and Service shop. He worked there for several years prior to them going out of business. Once M20 went under he started his own MSC. Don Maxwell (Last Annual on my A/C) also has a good reputation as does Dugosh, but both are a longer trip. Good luck. -Mark