Overhaul options

[Big Ed]

Starting to plan for this. I would rather do it on my timeline than be surprised. If I pull the engine this summer or fall, I can do some resto work on the fuselage this winter while the engine is off. Finding the personal time to do so is a different matter.

Most likely I will go with Zephyr. They have a national reputation and are close enough to pick up my engine. They quoted $29K for new limits with overhauled cylinders, and another $4K for new cylinders. However, right now they cannot get new cylinders. They are also backlogged 6 months. The manager thought things might get better this summer or fall, and suggested I would be smart to wait a few months.

I will visit JB Engines at Sebring later this week while I am at the acro contest. They are not nationally known, but they do have a good reputation. Their prices are similar for new limits. They do R&R, while Zephyr does not.

I am curious about factory remans from Lycoming, and about what ACA might be able to do, but have not been able to find prices for either. I assume that both options would be quite a bit more.

So ... thoughts from the crowd?

 

[Bob Turner]

My buddy is using Victor for his Cirrus engines - he goes through them about once every four years. He says that (1) they are guaranteed for lots longer than factory, and (2) they last until TBO, unlike a lot of Cirrus engines.

For Ed, shipping is a major concern. I am going to guess that 30 grand is a really good price for new limits, and I would not hesitate to use the original cylinders. I assume that includes mag and fuel control overhauls?

I am hearing $1500 for shipping the big Continental from Mobile to San Diego. The Lyc is of course only 2/3 the size, so maybe a grand?

 

[Kel]

JB in Sebring did one for me 15 years ago and I was happy with them

 

[Big Ed]

Visited JB today. I like JB, his facility is immaculate, the price was good, and turnaround time is reasonable. I appreciated that he was willing to spend time with me explaining the process and options. Probably going to go there, possibly sooner than expected. Weeks, not months.

Shipping not a factor. I will pull the engine off in my hangar and drive it to his facility in my truck. Mind is already spinning on the things I should do while the engine is off. Will start another thread for that.

 

[Bob Turner]

That is good news. My spies tell me parts are starting to get seriously sparse. One shop owner told me today that rebuilders are saying that if you start now, expect to finish in 2024.

 

[Goodyear]

Ouch! I don’t have that many years of flying left to wait 20 months for a rebuild. Fly it till it stops

 

[Big Ed]

Stopped by JB Engines today to take a look at mine all broken down.

Was in pretty good shape, no major damage, but a lot of corrosion on camshaft and gears. Clear pitting on 2 lifters and and cam lobes, but had not deteriorated to the point of lobe erosion yet. I might have squeaked out another 50 hours or so, but the writing was on the wall.

So what do I do with the old camshaft? I'm thinking mace for home defense.

Cylinder delivery is now forecast for late September, so I might get the recover done in time after all.

 

[Bartman]

wowsa! that's pretty bad! ja, you might have gotten fifty hours and ruined other stuff in the process.

i just hope you hang onto it when you're done and give 'em hell at nationals!

 

[Big Ed]

Yeah, I agree about ruining other stuff. Lucked out there. Crankshaft and case are in good shape.

This is what happens to Lycomings that sit for several years without running. The camshaft dries out and rusts. When put in use again, it will pass all the borescope exams and compression tests, and the filter will be clear of metal for a while. But the rust pits are there, and it's only a matter of time before the cam lobes and tappets eat each other.

 

[Hiperbiper]

Yeah, I agree about ruining other stuff. Lucked out there. Crankshaft and case are in good shape.

This is what happens to Lycomings that sit for several years without running. The camshaft dries out and rusts. When put in use again, it will pass all the borescope exams and compression tests, and the filter will be clear of metal for a while. But the rust pits are there, and it's only a matter of time before the cam lobes and tappets eat each other.

Not always...