Christmas came early- new motor

[Initial Fix]

The story begins with low compressions, pulling a jug and finding the cam lobe with bad spalling. Since the engine was already past TBO we made the call to replace. Going from a IO-520 to 550 from RAM.

Of course we are doing all the little “while we are here” mx too. With luck she will be flying in a few weeks.

 

[Initial Fix]

Amazing how empty the cowling looks without the old engine.

 

[Initial Fix]

And of course we have the bonanza cracking nose bowl issue around the air intake. So it’s being replaced with the new one with thicker material. More fun ahead

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

All hoses is a no brainer, I struggled with sensors and engine controls. Mine were all in good shape so I re-used them and they are working fine. Some say all egt/cht/tit sensors and wiring need to be replaced, same with throttle, mixture, prop.
Good time to clean and test your sniffle valve.
Good luck.

 

[MRC01]

The story begins with low compressions, pulling a jug and finding the cam lobe with bad spalling. Since the engine was already past TBO we made the call to replace. Going from a IO-520 to 550 from RAM. ...

I resemble that! Same thing happened to me in 2018 with the O-0320 in my airplane. But it never made TBO, only had about 850 hours on it. The prior owner probably let it sit around without flying it. I took the same approach you did, replaced it with an O-360.

Along this journey you turn over a lot of rocks, something crawls out from under some of them. At the end you're glad you did it all. Good luck and have fun!

PS: Is "engine" vs "motor" a regional dialect thing, like "soda" vs "pop"?

 

[Initial Fix]

PS: Is "engine" vs "motor" a regional dialect thing, like "soda" vs "pop"?

Nope. Although I tend to use both interchangeably.

 

[Initial Fix]

All hoses is a no brainer, I struggled with sensors and engine controls. Mine were all in good shape so I re-used them and they are working fine. Some say all egt/cht/tit sensors and wiring need to be replaced, same with throttle, mixture, prop.
Good time to clean and test your sniffle valve.
Good luck.

Indeed! New control cables ordered. Of course they are back ordered, but that won’t slow things down. The sensors are basically new from last years avionics upgrade.

Aero Hose Shop is a short drive from the hangar. I’m taking the ones to be created there tomorrow. It’s usually a few days to make new ones.

The long pole is replacing the nose bowl. Textron/Beech makes the new ones larger than needed as it’s a trim to fit part. Lots of trimming, drilling and bucking rivets coming up. Then paint.

 

[Initial Fix]

The RAM engine comes with the d’shannon baffles; of course not installed. They do install the Intra- cylinder parts of the kit. Today was what I planned to be day one of two installing the rest of the kit. The RAM installation drawings are fantastic.

Sadly I got to the rear baffle part that attaches to the starter and … crap … the stud just keeps turning while putting the nut back on by hand. I removed the stud, and the threads are full of casting. Insert swear words. Of course it’s late on Friday, but it appears RAM will likely be sending a new starter adapter. I’ll know more after the weekend.

Edited for spelling

 

[Initial Fix]

And the “while we are here” list. My partners rebuilt the airframe to battery ground, adjusted the nose gear doors , repaired the L/R nose gear turn stop that had been damaged, repaired the nose bowl landing light inside cowl stiffener/ plate that was cracked, confirmed the new fuel hose order, replaced some wire adel brackets and more.

It never amazes me how many little things can be addressed while the engine is out.

kudos to our A&P/IA friends in the hangar assisting and watching over the work. It’s always enjoyable when you get “that” look sorting something out and have a few 40+ year mechanics lend their expertise.

 

[Kiddo's Driver]

PS: Is "engine" vs "motor" a regional dialect thing, like "soda" vs "pop"?

Coming from an engineering/operator/electrical/electronics background, I see it as an electric motor would never be called an electric engine, but an internal combustion engine (ICE) could be called an engine or a motor. I tend to go motor for electric and engine for ICE.

 

[MRC01]

... I tend to go motor for electric and engine for ICE.

Same here, though I wonder whether that's by convention or by definition. MIT's take on this is interesting: https://engineering.mit.edu/engage/...the-difference-between-a-motor-and-an-engine/

 

[Albany Tom]

I'll submit for the defense Steppenwolf, Elwood Blues, and not engine trend magazine.

https://www.motortrend.com/

 

[Initial Fix]

Update (finally)

I flew the new engine yesterday for the break in flight !!

Just over an hour flight. Still have some tweaking, but oh my is the 550 nice. It was trying to jump off the ground on the takeoff roll. On paper it’s only 15 hp more, but the 520 could be 5% under spec, and RAM builds a great engine. I’m guessing closer to 30hp more. Sweet.

The local class D tower was awesome. I called and pre coordinated a fast taxi and orbit over the field. I wanted to stay close just in case, then flying out for the rest of the break on.

Along the way was replacing the nose bowl, which beech redesigned to fix the cracking I had. Replacing or repairing most items in the engine bay while the engine was out. We did much of the work ourselves with supervision of course (commercial hanger and awesome mechanics offering tips and oversight). The really cool thing is my sister is now an IA, and she popped out to do the inspections and paperwork.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

a wonderful time.

 

[Initial Fix]

The D’Shannon baffle works amazing. During the RAM engine high power break in process, I never saw CHT above 370, even with the air temps in the mid 90’s.

I think I’ve got 40 hours invested in just the baffle install. That tracks another from BT who had about the same time. Totally worth it.

 

[eman1200]

what did you have before, a 520?

 

[Initial Fix]

what did you have before, a 520?

Yes. An IO-520.