Best shop for a Lycoming Overhaul

[M016576]

Looks like 2012 might be the year I was dreading: overhaul time!

 

Im curious- which shops would you recommend and why?  How has your overhaul experience been (if you've taken the plunge?)?  Any recommendations for options or better yet- things to steer clear of and why?

 

Thanks!

[Shadrach]

I have a preferance for close to home so that I can monitor progress and avoid shipping costs. I like Charles Merlot of Zepher, but he's about as far from you (Florida) as possible. I cannot recommend anyone in Oregon, but I'm sure there are folk here who can...

[ToddDPT]

Here in Visalia, CA Lycon is an excellent shop. 

[M016576]

Quote: ToddDPT

Here in Visalia, CA Lycon is an excellent shop. 

[OR75]

is 22k for a factory OH ?

if not, what is a factory OH cost ?

[231Pilot]

Quote: M016576

Any idea what they charge?  I got a quote from western skyways that was about 22k for OH on a 360a3b6d with my core (exchange value on the core being ~15k).  Anyone have any experience with western skyways

[The-sky-captain]

Quote: M016576

Looks like 2012 might be the year I was dreading: overhaul time!

 

Im curious- which shops would you recommend and why?  How has your overhaul experience been (if you've taken the plunge?)?  Any recommendations for options or better yet- things to steer clear of and why?

 

Thanks!

[PTK]

When the time comes I will send mine to the Lycoming factory directly. There is inherent value in having the factory who built it in the first place, revisit it.

[RJBrown]

Quote: M016576

Any idea what they charge?  I got a quote from western skyways that was about 22k for OH on a 360a3b6d with my core (exchange value on the core being ~15k).  Anyone have any experience with western skyways?

[OR75]

Quote: allsmiles

When the time comes I will send mine to the Lycoming factory directly. There is inherent value in having the factory who built it in the first place, revisit it.

[M016576]

Quote: allsmiles

When the time comes I will send mine to the Lycoming factory directly. There is inherent value in having the factory who built it in the first place, revisit it.

[ToddDPT]

I have no clue as to what Lycon charges.  I just know they have many satisfied people at KVIS that will swear by them.  I was told that they work with some of the Red Bull racers as well.

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: OR75

Agreed that the is value in in having the factory rebuilt (and a 0 time engine log)

but the blanks need to be filled:

factory O/H: $ ... 

field O/H: $ ...

top O/H: $ ...

I see all these ads in trade a plane for a $300 over factory invoice. I wish they just tell me how much it will cost. period.

[OR75]

do you substract the core value from the above number ?

ie. a new engine net cost will be 53,150 - 14,900 or 38.250 net ?

( excuse my ignorance )

[GeorgePerry]

As long as the engine is serviceable that's my understanding.  Give'm your old one and pay the balance for new.  Thank goodness airplanes don't have to be numbers matching like classic corvettes!

[pjsny78]

My engine was converted from the IO-360 A3B6D TO the IO-360 A3B6 with a Lycoming exchange. The cost with shipping was under $28k it came with roller tappets and the 2 independent mags.  This was in 2009 however. I would recommend this option if it’s within your budget and you can have it shipped and worked on to whatever shop you chose.  The only problems in 500hrs. So far I have had is:  I replaced the starter and replaced all the seals with silicone gaskets due to seepage.

[jetdriven]

From airpower.com a IO-360-a3B6D is 32,500 for factory overhaul and 29,500 for factory rebuilt.   The chief difference between the two is a couple more parts replaced with new and a zero time logbook.  If you want to go IO-390 or even IO-360-a3B6 there is from what I hear a 5k "unlike core charge".    The 5k off a factory engine promo is only on a first-run factory core. 

Another point to consider is cylinders. Lycoming angle-valve cylinders are only available new as nitrided steel. Any other process is on a rebuilt cylinder.  Sacramento Sky Ranch, mike busch and others have said a cylinder can go 5-6,000 hours until it finally fails. It cannot run forever. The problem is those cylinders hours are not tracked and you may end up with third-run cylinders on your fresh engine.  Chances of losing obe are elevated  Ours had new cylinders at overhaul and when we overhaul ours again if I go with rebuilt cylinders they will be the ones on it sent back, not exchanged.  

Quote: OR75

Agreed that the is value in in having the factory rebuilt (and a 0 time engine log)

but the blanks need to be filled:

factory O/H: $ ... 

field O/H: $ ...

top O/H: $ ...

I see all these ads in trade a plane for a $300 over factory invoice. I wish they just tell me how much it will cost. period.

 

 

 

[PTK]

Quote: GeorgePerry

As long as the engine is serviceable that's my understanding.  Give'm your old one and pay the balance for new.  Thank goodness airplanes don't have to be numbers matching like classic corvettes!

[PTK]

Quote: OR75

Agreed that the is value in in having the factory rebuilt (and a 0 time engine log)

but the blanks need to be filled:

factory O/H: $ ... 

field O/H: $ ...

top O/H: $ ...

I see all these ads in trade a plane for a $300 over factory invoice. I wish they just tell me how much it will cost. period.

 

 

 

[Steve65E-NC]

Do any of the overhaul shops, other than factory, offer the roller tappets.  I like the idea of the Ney nozzles.  No way to get both I guess.

[PTK]

Quote: Steve65E-NC

Do any of the overhaul shops, other than factory, offer the roller tappets.  I like the idea of the Ney nozzles.  No way to get both I guess.

[John Pleisse]

Quote: jetdriven

For those of you who think a factory overhaul is the holy grail check out all the crank ad's on factory engines as well as changing cam suppliers and cylinder machining processes causing many failures.  

This is general hyperbole and not indicative of the quality and workmanship of the best overhaul possible. The majority of failures occurred in IO540 engines running at excessive HP ratings. Smaller bore engines had failures but more prone to higher time engines running past TBO (a practice Jetdriven purports). Lycoming exhibited exemplary corporate behavior, in AD recall, cooperation and customer service. All considering, they did a good job of mopping up their own mess.

A factory overhaul is the best option possible. I would also consider Mattituck or Penn Yan. IMHO, all three are worth a little extra cash.

I, too, did the A3B6 and it has been flawless for 700 hours.

[M016576]

Quote: jetdriven

[danb35]

Quote: M016576

What is the consensus on Titan or Superior cylinders as opposed to the factory stock?  I see that some shops charge a premium for them.  Any foundation for the extra charge?

[fantom]

Quote: M016576

My core is (thankfully) a first run directly from Lycoming... '99 vintage.