Arnold
Cleared for Takeoff
This painful. Lady Luscombe's powerplant sprung an oil leak last labor day. I got her on the ground at an airport before she seized and was hoping that the engine was salvageable. Once again demonstrating the futility of hope.
The cylinders seem to have escaped unscathed - which is good since they were 27 hour old milleniums. The crank is trash. After more than a month I've not heard from the shop on the other steel parts. The case needs work which will cost me $800.
I found a 627 hour engine at a reasonable price. But no logs to show overhaul (if any) history. Cylinders have not been bored, so this may be first run. History, it came out of a cub that was upgraded to bigger engine. Pics look pretty good to me and a mechanic. Maybe one cam lobe anomaly but that could be photo noise.
The engine rebuilder is pushing back, wants to rebuild the old engine. Doesn't like the idea of putting the new cylinders on the old case. And suggests 10.5K to 12K for the work (including parts) but won't provide a written estimate.
So three questions: A) If I do a visual inspection of the engine including wiggling rods and turning the turny things, why not buy if the price is right? 2) Should I tell the rebuild shop to give me my parts back and find another shop? iii) If I find another shop - who? where? I am aware that I only need a Powerplant mechanic to sign off the engine re-assembly.
Thanks in advance.
The cylinders seem to have escaped unscathed - which is good since they were 27 hour old milleniums. The crank is trash. After more than a month I've not heard from the shop on the other steel parts. The case needs work which will cost me $800.
I found a 627 hour engine at a reasonable price. But no logs to show overhaul (if any) history. Cylinders have not been bored, so this may be first run. History, it came out of a cub that was upgraded to bigger engine. Pics look pretty good to me and a mechanic. Maybe one cam lobe anomaly but that could be photo noise.
The engine rebuilder is pushing back, wants to rebuild the old engine. Doesn't like the idea of putting the new cylinders on the old case. And suggests 10.5K to 12K for the work (including parts) but won't provide a written estimate.
So three questions: A) If I do a visual inspection of the engine including wiggling rods and turning the turny things, why not buy if the price is right? 2) Should I tell the rebuild shop to give me my parts back and find another shop? iii) If I find another shop - who? where? I am aware that I only need a Powerplant mechanic to sign off the engine re-assembly.
Thanks in advance.