My engine fell out

Salty

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Salty
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Send me good wishes, no turning back now....
 
Upgrade? What’s next?
 
For those that didn't see the details in other threads, this is why...

I've changed my mind about overhauling at least 6 times in as many months. Here were my points of debate:
  • the engine runs great, I've never had so much as a hiccup since I've owned it, and I've put 140 hours on it this year.
  • Oil analysis has shown no cause for alarm
  • oil pressure is good
  • Its at 2650 hours since major overhaul
  • It's NEVER had a bottom end overhaul, it's been together since 1965, total time is also 2650
  • It had a prop strike (gear up landing) over 1,000 hours and 30 years ago
 
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Would be interesting to see the innards and find out how much wear there is (or isn't).

But if you are just sending it out...

Hope it goes as well as possible.
 
I'll be breaking it apart and inspecting, so we'll see.
 
Might send out the carb, mags, and cylinders, and obviously we'll send out the case, crank, and camshaft, but we'll be disassembling it.
 
Ok students. This is called the critical engine. Why is it called the critical engine?

Anytime your engine is out and you are paying for it, it is critical...
 
Good luck. In a good way. That is all.
 
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Have you tried reading the CROPDUSTERS wife?
 
I hate you. Just sayin

I here ya. I've got an O-470 that is getting up there in hrs and it runs like a top...nothing whatsoever to be concerned about. BUT, that TBO thing puts up a red flag in my brain. I guess it's what we have been trained to do. I'm a Mike Busch fan, and lets just say I am glad I went to his forums at OSH this yr.
 
So, is there some official record of most hours past TBO?

Flight schools commonly run basically the same engine to ~3500 hours or so.

That said, they do it in <10 years, not in >50. So there is a time component involved.
 
I'll be breaking it apart and inspecting, so we'll see.


I am also very interested.

I saw a similar aged engine come out of a Bellanca and no kidding, there was nothing obsene in it, even the cam was decent. It went very well for that owner, may you get some good luck too!

I'm hoping the only things I buy new are a cam and 4 cylinders (and the other usual stuff at overhaul). My carb, mags, prop, hoses, fuel pump, oil cooler are all darn near new.
 
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Send me good wishes, no turning back now....

Save the parts when it comes apart so you can see what bearing sets, rod bolts etc to order. Connecting rods may need to be modified to accept available parts. A current parts book will not show the old parts in that engine. The crankshaft probably has sludge tubes installed etc. I've seen older engines like this assembled with incorrect parts. Charlie Melot Xowner Zephyr Engines
 
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