Prop Strike today, October 8, 2013

[KSMooniac]

GAMI advises using whatever regular oil you plan to run, except for the A/S 15W-50 or the "+" versions with the anti-scuff additives.  I broke in mine after cylinder work with A/S 80 since it was still cool outside and had great results.  I'll do it again after I complete my overhaul too.

[Bob_Belville]

GAMI advises using whatever regular oil you plan to run, except for the A/S 15W-50 or the "+" versions with the anti-scuff additives.  I broke in mine after cylinder work with A/S 80 since it was still cool outside and had great results.  I'll do it again after I complete my overhaul too.

Interesting. Thanks. I'll discuss this with Ultimate Engines. This engine has always been on Aeroshell 100 (not Plus)

 

I suppose that after 10 or 15 hours of break-in style flying, 75%+, varying power setting, one should change oil/filter? I am sure I'll get detailed instructions from engine builder...

[N601RX]

Expect to find a small amount of metal at the 1st oil change.  Also expect some very fine brass filings, it will be noticeable in sunlight.  It will clear up after the 1st change.  Its from the piston pin caps going up and down against the sharp crosshatching marks on the cylinders.  As the rings seat and dull the sharp edges of the crosshatch down, it will stop.

[KSMooniac]

In my case, my break-in was substantially complete within ~5-6 hours and i changed the oil soon after.  Didn't notice much metal at all, actually, but my bottom end was "old" and I'm not sure how much metal might come from it with an overhauled engine.

[N601RX]

The brass I mentioned above will almost look like a gold dust or powder.  It will be visible if you unfold the filter in direct sunlight.  Some of the older pin caps were aluminum and did make the same dust.  It was only present at the 1st oil change which was around 8 hrs. All the ones after that have been completely clear.

[Bob_Belville]

Update. The crankcase passed inspection and was shipped back to the engine shop yesterday. That's the last piece of the puzzle so hopefully we're only a couple of weeks away from flying again. Nancy and I are headed to Boston via Delta Air Monday to spend T'giving with our daughter's family so I'll be visiting the engine shop and Minuteman, where the plane is, that afternoon or Tuesday. I'm thinking I may be able to send Nancy home on Delta after Thanksgiving and by staying a few more days, bring the Mooney back south! 

[fantom]

.....I'm thinking I may be able to send Nancy home on Delta after Thanksgiving and by staying a few more days, bring the Mooney back south!

You are definitely getting the better trip home, Bob.

Be sure to leave yourself a day or two for several local test flights and a complete ground check of paperwork, logs and plane.

Sounds like you'll be having an especially happy Thanksgiving. Best of luck.

[Shadrach]

Congratulations Bob,  This appears to have been relatively painless thus far!  How many hours do you plan on putting on the newly assembled and mounted engine before you head south on a long XC home?

[Bob_Belville]

Congratulations Bob,  This appears to have been relatively painless thus far!  How many hours do you plan on putting on the newly assembled and mounted engine before you head south on a long XC home?

Ross, I have been mulling that over. I plan to spend time with the engine builder, Tim Hess. Almost any airport I might have to make an emergency landing at between 6B6 and KMRN would be better than 6B6! The engine shop is @ KFIT so I could use that as a base for some test/check flights. 

[rbridges]

what's the latest with the insurance company and the airport?  are they going to pursue anything with them?

[Bob_Belville]

what's the latest with the insurance company and the airport?  are they going to pursue anything with them?

When I reported the situation to the adjuster I told him I thought the airport should be liable and offered to provide pics and help him with witnesses. He was really not very interested. Their experience apparently is that absent gross, provably intentional, negligence, it is not worth it, financially, net of legal costs, to pursue. It looks like the event will cost the insurance company about $20,000, all in. There is no deductible for this type claim in standard hull coverage so my out of pocket will be for the "extras" I have done while down - repairs to the cowl, probably replacing the cam/lifters. 

[rbridges]

When I reported the situation to the adjuster I told him I thought the airport should be liable and offered to provide pics and help him with witnesses. He was really not very interested. Their experience apparently is that absent gross, provably intentional, negligence, it is not worth it, financially, net of legal costs, to pursue. It looks like the event will cost the insurance company about $20,000, all in. There is no deductible for this type claim in standard hull coverage so my out of pocket will be for the "extras" I have done while down - repairs to the cowl, probably replacing the cam/lifters. 

 

I didn't know if that would make a difference long term with your insurance as far as rates going up.  If your rates went up, I thought it would be nice to make the airport culpable.

[Shadrach]

Ross, I have been mulling that over. I plan to spend time with the engine builder, Tim Hess. Almost any airport I might have to make an emergency landing at between 6B6 and KMRN would be better than 6B6! The engine shop is @ KFIT so I could use that as a base for some test/check flights. 

 

If it were me. I would fly one circuit in the pattern at 6B6 just to make sure everything is working properly and then head over to KFIT and fly circuits there at 2000msl (high power, veried RPM...Tim will likely have specific instrutions) for at least an hour. I'd then land at KFIT and give a good look under the cowl before embarking on any sort of long XC flight.

[Shadrach]

I didn't know if that would make a difference long term with your insurance as far as rates going up.  If your rates went up, I thought it would be nice to make the airport culpable.

 In my experience, most ground mishaps don't affect rates. 

[rbridges]

 In my experience, most ground mishaps don't affect rates. 

 

that's good to hear.  I figured a claim was a claim if it involved money being spent.

[Shadrach]

that's good to hear.  I figured a claim was a claim if it involved money being spent.

Both of the ones involving our AC were pretty inexpensive (<$3000). It will be interesting to see how Bob is treated.

[Bob_Belville]

Update. I am in MA this week and went by 6b6 where the plane is and then out to the engine shop in Fitchburg. The crankcase is back so the engine will be put back together starting today. Should be ready for pick up next week. Pretty impressive shop, Tim has a test stand with a Dyna-something on which he can run engines much bigger than my IO360 at full power for 2 hours. 

 

The "chief of maintenance" at Minuteman is committed to putting the plane back together as soon as he can pick up the engine. Realistically I suppose I will be lucky to get it before Xmas.

 

The repaired lower cowl looks great. (He replaced a couple of metal support angle pieces and welded one on the cowl flaps in addition to digging out Bondo and properly repairing cracks in the corners of the air inlets.

 

I do need a new intake duct - the rubber "accordion" duct behind the RAM air, if anyone has one they'd sell. Alan is going to call LASAR this afternoon. From another thread it looks like the price is going to be over $300? (Maybe some day I'll understand why most mechanics in any field wait until they need a part to source it? )  

 

I'll don't have my micro USB cable to move pics from phone to laptop so I'll show youse what those old Barry Mounts look like after 12 years.

 

===========

Here's a few shots including the repaired cowl, the Barry Mounts, and the duct along with the bare firewall as it looks right now.

[Bob_Belville]

As I look at that $350 duct I note it has a couple of puncture holes rather than general wear. the rubber is really in pretty good shape. I don't suppose that can be vulcanized or otherwise repaired?

[BigTex]

Update. I am in MA this week and went by 6b6 where the plane is and then out to the engine shop in Fitchburg. The crankcase is back so the engine will be put back together starting today. Should be ready for pick up next week. Pretty impressive shop, Tim has a test stand with a Dyna-something on which he can run engines much bigger than my IO360 at full power for 2 hours. 

 

The "chief of maintenance" at Minuteman is committed to putting the plane back together as soon as he can pick up the engine. Realistically I suppose I will be lucky to get it before Xmas.

 

The repaired lower cowl looks great. (He replaced a couple of metal support angle pieces and welded one on the cowl flaps in addition to digging out Bondo and properly repairing cracks in the corners of the air inlets.

 

I do need a new intake duct - the rubber "accordion" duct behind the RAM air, if anyone has one they'd sell. Alan is going to call LASAR this afternoon. From another thread it looks like the price is going to be over $300? (Maybe some day I'll understand why most mechanics in any field wait until they need a part to source it? )  

 

I'll don't have my micro USB cable to move pics from phone to laptop so I'll show youse what those old Barry Mounts look like after 12 years.

 

===========

Here's a few shots including the repaired cowl, the Barry Mounts, and the duct along with the bare firewall as it looks right now.

 

Man I love looking at these pictures... There's nothing like Plane Porn!

[N601RX]

Why didn't the shop remove the governor and sent off for inspection also? Even if the decision was made that it probably was not damaged, I would be insisting that it be flushed. Also ask about the oil cooler. Most engine shops are going to insist on this also if the warrenty is honored.

[Bob_Belville]

I've brought up the governor more than once with both the engine shop and the A&P. Neither is concerned. I'll raise the flushing issue again.

 

The cooler just got back from Pacific Oil Cooler in CA where it was overhauled while we were doing annual in September. It has about 12 hours on it.

[Bob_Belville]

I found out this morning that now Tim is not satisfied with the lifter clearance, it's too great, so he is going to bore and bush, my terms, to insure higher oil pressure. (Info 2nd hand at this point, Tim will call me later today.) He'll do that in house but I guess that means another week delay...

 

Routine? Comments?

[Bob_Belville]

Tom Lawson - Firewall Forward (Centri-lube) http://thenewfirewallforward.com/tnfwf_2012-2013_new_007.htm%C2'>

Some simple advice that might help someone:

• Fly it! as often as possible. And for 45 minutes at least, Oil Temp to at least 180.
• Pre heat before starting below 40-45 F
• As soon as oil pressure is in the green, advance idle for at least a few seconds to at least 1000-1100 RPM - oil splash to cam is not adequate at a lower idle.
• Use Aeroshell 100 Plus or Camguard. (This engine has been operated with AS 100 since new and as far as I know, never with additive.

Using Aircraft Spruce prices, it appears using the 100Plus is cheaper than straight 100 with 5% Camguard.

Camguard @ $25/pint, oil @ $6 and $6.50 

7 qts @ 6.50 = $45. for oil change for 100 PLUS vs.

7 @ 6.00 + $18 = $60. for 100 plus .7 pint Camguard (I suspect SOP is a whole pint of the Camguard so $67 vs. $45.)

$15 or $20 every oil change is trivial but I am curious whether the Plus oil will protect the cam and lifters as well as the Camguard? Obviously something is probably better than nothing.

[KSMooniac]

None of the current oils have the quantity of the additives that Camguard has.  I believe Ed K (the inventor) says the + formulations of A/S have 1 unit of whatever helps vs. 25 units in Camguard.  I use the recommended ratio of Camguard at oil change and then try to keep the right ratio when I add a quart of makeup oil later.  I end up using less than 1 pint over an oil change interval.

[Bob_Belville]

Sigh, the engine to be ready for pickup @ engine shop Tuesday, Xmas Eve.