If you were buying new cylinders for a narrow deck IO-540 right now, what would you buy and why? I'll be ordering some within the next day or so and am looking for what is doing the best right now.
Thanks.
Thanks.
I'd get Lycoming factory cylinders.
My experience has been that Lycoming makes the best Lycoming cylinders. While I'm sure some have had good luck with aftermarket ones, I've seen too many problems - cylinder cracking, low compression/bad rings, etc. I'm not sure current pricing, but for parallel valve engines it wasn't all that much different when I had to buy a set for my Aztec in 2010.
If you're planning on selling the plane and it's not one where the engine condition will substantially impact resale value, then maybe a set of overhauled cylinders would be fine. But I get the feeling from your post you're looking for quality that will last. So, I'd go Lycoming.
For what it's worth, I would also go with factory Continental cylinders for a Continental these days, although that was not always the case.
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