Advise about overhall / rebuilt engines

[DaV8or]

I'm thinking about going ahead with my plane purchase process and procuring a rebuilt or overhalled engine for this M20E. I got prices from Aip Power on Lycoming engines and the Teledyne overhaul. I'll call Mattituck in the morning. I was also thinking of Penn Yan as well. Any other suggestions for companies? How about remanufacturted vs. overhaul?

[KSMooniac]

I think Lycoming is running a special for a reman at an overhaul price, but I'm sure it will still be more than a quality field overhaul.  But, you should get the new roller tappet improvements, which is likely a good thing if you're willing to spend the money.  Air Power (Van Bortel) used to have the best prices on Lycoming factory engines but I don't know if that is still true since I haven't been in the market.  <knocking on wood> 

I'm not sold on the "big name" shops for overhauls, but they're probably not any worse than a local shop with a good reputation that you can find by asking around and likely save some serious money.  These engines aren't super-mysterious, and I think many places can do a quality overhaul and even go the extra mile like paying special attention to the balancing of components or getting everything back to new limits.  I'd value proximity to my home base (in case of problems) and reputation over a big name.  You could also check with Zephyr engines from the AOPA forum...he seems quite helpful.

[Cruiser]

You do understand that with the engine overhaul you have other FWF issues that will need to be done. Muffler, hoses, baffles, engine mount, prop, governor vacuum system, oil cooler. It is not just pull the engine and put it back in.

Of course, with a newly overhauled engine you will want a quality engine monitoring system to operate it properly.

[scottfromiowa]

Aviation Consumer recently published a good article rating shops and plus and minus's on overhaul vs. facory new or factory Re-man engines.

[DaV8or]

Quote: KSMooniac

I think Lycoming is running a special for a reman at an overhaul price, but I'm sure it will still be more than a quality field overhaul.  But, you should get the new roller tappet improvements, which is likely a good thing if you're willing to spend the money.  Air Power (Van Bortel) used to have the best prices on Lycoming factory engines but I don't know if that is still true since I haven't been in the market.   

I'm not sold on the "big name" shops for overhauls, but they're probably not any worse than a local shop with a good reputation that you can find by asking around and likely save some serious money.  These engines aren't super-mysterious, and I think many places can do a quality overhaul and even go the extra mile like paying special attention to the balancing of components or getting everything back to new limits.  I'd value proximity to my home base (in case of problems) and reputation over a big name.  You could also check with Zephyr engines from the AOPA forum...he seems quite helpful.

[DaV8or]

Quote: Cruiser

You do understand that with the engine overhaul you have other FWF issues that will need to be done. Muffler, hoses, baffles, engine mount, prop, governor vacuum system, oil cooler. It is not just pull the engine and put it back in.

Of course, with a newly overhauled engine you will want a quality engine monitoring system to operate it properly.

[fantom]

You will get roller tappets only from the factory.

[Kwixdraw]

Add Performance Engines to your list. They are on the field at POC. Quoted me $23k for the IO-360 in my J. Balanced w/ new cylinders from Lycoming flowed and intake balanced.

[Magnum]

Quote: Kwixdraw

Add Performance Engines to your list. They are on the field at POC. Quoted me $23k for the IO-360 in my J. Balanced w/ new cylinders from Lycoming flowed and intake balanced.

[FlyDave]

A number of my friends also use Tim's Aircraft Engines at Long Beach, CA (http://www.timsaircraft.com/). The speak very highly of him and the job his shop does. He also charges very reasonable prices.

[wolftimj]

Have a 1982 M20J, after about 1850 hours I lost a hunderd RPM on the engine. After some digging we found a bunch of metal in the filter, the cam problem mentioned here.

After weighing all my options I got a Lycoming factory overhaul which has the roller tappets. It may run a bit smoother, pulls a little harder, gained about 3 knots in cruise. I've had it for about 8 months now, and 159 hours. Have a mag drop issue, and Lycoming is sending me a new mag under warranty. Down time was pretty minimal since it came as a running unit in a crate about a week after I ordered it, big plus for me.

It wasn't cheap but I'm happy with it, and I will likely be able to sell it with low time and under warranty.

Tim Wolf, N23MD

[Kwixdraw]

Quote: Magnum

How do they get the intake balanced? Is there a mod available? Together with the powerflow exhaust the engine should run much better.