Scoping cases

[Let'sgoflying!]

Is there any way to see cam lobes w/o pulling cylinders on an IO550?
I was thinking of all the orifices engines have and just wondered if there was a way to get a scope in there.
Drain the oil, look into sump?
Oil filler neck?
Crankcase vent?

I put my scope into my 520 oil fill neck once and was immediately lost. But I have a hard time holding my tongue right in cylinders too.

 

[GlennAB1]

Doubtfull, unless you have a "flying borescope", however, you might be able to do it by just pulling one, maybe one on both sides...?

 

[mondtster]

On a 550 Continental you should be able to pull the pushrods, tubes, and lifters. The cam will be able to be seen through the lifter bores.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Trying to come up with a less invasive way to see the camshaft ie during a prebuy where dismantling an engine may cause seller resistance

 

[mondtster]

Trying to come up with a less invasive way to see the camshaft ie during a prebuy where dismantling an engine may cause seller resistance

Pull the oil pan then? Or you may be able to go up through the oil drain hole, but I don't know how much you'll realistically see.

Pulling the lifters for inspection at midtime seems to be a somewhat common practice. You might be able to convince the owner to allow you to spot check one cylinder and you can negotiate from there if you find something.

 

[Stewartb]

Why the concern? Continentals aren't known for cam problems. Not like Lycomings, anyway.