My time for an engine overhaul

[N601RX]

I went with the Centrilub cam last year when I overhauled.  The only problem I had was getting them to do the work.  They said they would turn it around in one day.  After 3 months and being told one thing after another I called someone I knew based at that airport and had them ask around.  I found out that FF don't even own the stc, they are just doing it under license from the STC owner.  They were not paying their bills so he cut them off.  After contacting the STC owner directly and paying him I had my cam back in a few days. He was in the process of taking the operation back over, so contact him directly if you decide to go this route.  I can dig up his contact info if you need it.

[jetdriven]

Was it sent to Byam Propeller Service, at Meacham in Ft. Worth? A superb and reasonable shop, BTW.

San Antonio propeller service. This is a real shop with straight shooters no "all props need an overhaul" bullshit. I exchanged the governor at quality aircraft accessories. Another no BS place. No "600$ overhaul" that turns into 1500$.

[jetdriven]

I'd go with the FF drilled cam and forgo the Ney nozzles.[/quote

Neither if these addresses the majority of wear and scuffing that is caused by startup. These cams fail from scuffing at start, I haven't seen any evidence that suggests they reduce the likelihood of cam and lifter failure.

[Shadrach]

Perhaps not, but the FF drilled cam certainly helps provide lube at low RPM. Especially on cold days. Even with a preheat, I'm dubious that adequate splash gets to the cam on a 45degree morning even at 1100RPM.

[KSMooniac]

I'm considering just about every mod option except for dealing with FF or the New FF or whoever they call themselves these days.  

 

If I find metal in the filter or screen, then I'll have my prop flushed and checked locally at the MT distributor.  I'll definitely send out the governor (never been off as far as I know) for IRAN as well as all of the other accessories.  I think I'll send out my salvage magneto, fuel injection system, and oil cooler pretty soon just to get going on those things and spread the cost out a bit.  Unfortunately the salvage governor and fuel pump were destroyed, so I don't have those spares.

[mike_elliott]

I went with the Centrilub cam last year when I overhauled.  The only problem I had was getting them to do the work.  They said they would turn it around in one day.  After 3 months and being told one thing after another I called someone I knew based at that airport and had them ask around.  I found out that FF don't even own the stc, they are just doing it under license from the STC owner.  They were not paying their bills so he cut them off.  After contacting the STC owner directly and paying him I had my cam back in a few days. He was in the process of taking the operation back over, so contact him directly if you decide to go this route.  I can dig up his contact info if you need it.

Do post the STC holders info if you would. I may go this way with one of the planes.

 

Thanks

[garytex]

Bump

So what's happening, ks?

[KSMooniac]

Not much yet, unfortunately! Finally got the rest of my salvage processed and got my plane back in her hangar. Sunday I plan to disassemble the salvage engine so I can get it off the stand. After that, then I can start the removal process for the engine to be overhauled. I'm aiming to get it off and broken down before Christmas, and hopefully get the parts delivered to Tulsa for inspection. It will be a while!

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[KSMooniac]

Some progress pics...salvage cabin at home and flying plane in her hangar with spare parts all around, waiting for me to come back for more quality time!

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[garytex]

Good luck, keep us posted.

[carusoam]

Some people hang a prop on the den wall and call it art.

Other people hang the head of a big dead animal on the office wall and call it a trophy.

Scott has hung a backwards set of tail feathers on the hangar wall...

This would look great in a kid's oversized bedroom! (doubles as a bookshelf)

Looks like art (or Al?) to me,

-a-

[fantom]

Scott has hung a backwards set of tail feathers on the hangar wall...

This would look great in a kid's oversized bedroom!

 

It IS in a kid's oversized playroom

[KSMooniac]

Things always take longer... weekend before I last I finally got some quality time in the hangar for engine removal, and got a helper after work on Monday (1/2) to spot me while removing it.  This past weekend I finally got it disassembled and am planning to run a load of parts down to Tulsa this week to start the inspection/overhaul process.  I spent some effort making some case splitter plates to easily split the engine case, and they worked great.  I'll probably use them during reassembly and then they'll sit in my tool collection for (hopefully) a long time!

As suspected, the cam lobe for the intakes on #1 and #2 was halfway gone, and the corresponding lifters are spalled.  There were chunks in the screen, but I haven't cut the filter yet.  I noticed some scoring on one piston skirt, but haven't looked at it closely yet as I was in a hurry to get everything broken down last night.  Perhaps some metal bits fell on the piston from the lobe, because the others looked fine at first glance.  

The salvage cam looks like new, and hopefully will check out fine since it was new at overhaul ~220 hours ago.  I'd like to use it if possible.  In fact, the salvage engine components all look great except for the bent crank and two cylinders that had impact damage.

 

Today I dropped the engine mount off at a local shop for NDT and refinishing.  Tonight I'll box up a lot of the accessories and get them sent out tomorrow.

 

Feels good to make some progress, even if it took a couple months to get here!  Hopefully I'll have everything back in 3-4 weeks and then start reassembly.