Overhaul Shop PIREPs needed

[Av8rjm]

Unfortunately we found that our camshaft on our 1986 M20J with the A3B6D was spalled and since it’s 1500SMOH, we elected to overhaul the engine. We have narrowed it down to Triad Aviation in NC or Watson Aero in Georgia. Any PIREPs of people who have used either would be much appreciated!

[GeeBee]

Why would you not look into Gann in LaFayette, Georgia?

[Av8rjm]

4 minutes ago, GeeBee said:

Why would you not look into Gann in LaFayette, Georgia?

We got a quote, but the lead time is more than 6 months out. The plane is used to commute to work for my dad and building time for my rATP so we are trying to minimize down time. We started with a list of 14 shops. We had one shop say they couldn’t do it because of a supply chain issue and many others had long lead times also due to supply chain issues. Both triad and Watson seem to have decent warranties, reviews, and we haven’t heard anything bad about either of them. 

[LANCECASPER]

These shops all basically use the same suppliers. if one shop is telling you they can have it back in less time, it sounds great, but it might mean that they are overly optimistic or it could mean that they are short on work (cash flow). Getting a deposit might be paying this month's overhead and your airplane may sit in the corner of their hangar or outside until the parts are available. The best shops, which are the ones you want to do your work, have quite a wait. 

[Bolter]

23 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

These shops all basically use the same suppliers. if one shop is telling you they can have it back in less time, it sounds great, but it might mean that they are overly optimistic or it could mean that they are short on work (cash flow). Getting a deposit might be paying this month's overhead and your airplane may sit in the corner of their hangar or outside until the parts are available. The best shops, which are the ones you want to do your work, have quite a wait. 

How is the factory overhaul/reman wait time these days?  Get a complete engine and swap with an A&P instead of the full overhaul shop process seems like it could be faster.

-dan

[GeeBee]

Fast, Cheap, Good. Choose two.

[mitchm]

45 minutes ago, Bolter said:

How is the factory overhaul/reman wait time these days?  Get a complete engine and swap with an A&P instead of the full overhaul shop process seems like it could be faster.

-dan

The factory reman wait time was quoted as 18-20 months.

[Av8rjm]

Factory lead time is 18-20 months. 
 

Those are all fair points. Both shops are definitely not the cheapest nor the quickest, they both seem to have good reviews and decent warranties. There’s an aircraft on field that is getting an overhaul at Watson right now, as of right now I think the owner is happy with his choice. An engine is not necessarily a thing that we want to cheap out on. If both shops aren’t worth the money, we can wait and figure out another plan. They’re right in the ballpark to price as Gann, around $40k

[ArtVandelay]

$40k these days. 5 years ago I had mine done for $30k at Zepher and that’s with needing a new case due to unfixable cracks.

[shawnd]

I had mine go through Zephyr and I will also highly recommend them. OP did narrow it down to Triad Aviation in NC or Watson Aero in Georgia, but if you are willing to ship to FL, contact them. Mine was deluxe version of IRAN so sharing cost won't be useful. But they are very reasonable with pricing.

[Andy95W]

It was 20 years ago, but I was always very impressed with Triad.  Also did props.

[ArtVandelay]

It was 20 years ago, but I was always very impressed with Triad.  Also did props.

I also did the prop with Palm Beach Propeller..
I also recommend new alternator, starter, engine rubber mounts, control cables, flush the oil cooler and strip engine mount frame and repaint.

[201Steve]

I’ve talked to James at Watson. Really liked what I heard and we were communicating some thru text which I really liked. Seemed like a standup guy. Only reason I didn’t use him is half my engine was already at Zephyr. 
 

I can say with certainty, the bigger shops (Zephyr) were INTERNALLY backlogged. I came up with several several solutions to the supply chain excuses and at the end of the day, they just told me it didn’t matter bc they still couldn’t jump their own que. 

To me, Watson seemed like a great shop that hadn’t gotten too big for its own good yet. Remember, the best mechanics were unknown at some point of their career. If you can catch a great small shop before they get published in aviation consumer, you get more of their time for an equally good product. 

[flyboy0681]

I had my A3B6D done at JB in Sebring, Florida. No complaints.

https://jbaircraftengines.com/

 

[Mac80]

On 3/18/2024 at 12:29 PM, mitchm said:

The factory reman wait time was quoted as 18-20 months.

I spoke to Air Power to a very considerate representative. He provided a quote for an IO-360-A3B6. Led time is estimated  at 18-22 months for this engi

I am considering making a deposit.

 

 

 

 

[laytonl]

For over 40 years I have used certified engines at North Perry, fl airport.  Allen Weiss is a straight up guy.  Does good work, on time, and reasonable.  He has done two major overhauls, two top overhauls , and one gear up inspection (my partner in my first Mooney) for me.  Lee

[C.J.]

My mechanics do not recommend Triad and stated this last year during annual - "Triad is definitely NOT one of the better shops for overhaul". 

I don't know a thing about Watson pro or con. My choices would be Poplar Grove, Zephyr, Bolduc, Penn Yan.

[flyboy0681]

12 hours ago, laytonl said:

For over 40 years I have used certified engines at North Perry, fl airport.  Allen Weiss is a straight up guy.  Does good work, on time, and reasonable.  He has done two major overhauls, two top overhauls , and one gear up inspection (my partner in my first Mooney) for me.  Lee

I have several friends that swear by Certified, from 182’s to Baron’s. 

[flyboy0681]

18 hours ago, Mac80 said:

I spoke to Air Power to a very considerate representative. He provided a quote for an IO-360-A3B6. Led time is estimated  at 18-22 months for this engi

I am considering making a deposit.

 

 

 

 

For some people, I'm wondering if this lead time is not a bad thing. For the person who knows that they will be arriving at TBO in two years, why not reserve now and lessen the sticker shock by partially paying down the final cost with the deposit?