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Posted for "Dr Michael A Fopp" <michael_fopp@csi.com>:
Dear Dan,
I obtained an IO 320 B1A from a twin Comanche and fitted it in my Lancair
G-FOPP here in UK. The sump modification cost about $500 and was done for
me, via Lancair, at a shop in Redmond I think. Don Goetz arranged it for
me. Do be careful and make sure the shop that does the work knows exactly
what they are doing; mine came back with mis-aligned fuel injection unit
stud holes and I had to re-work them with helicoils and have them
re-tapped. Anyway, the modification gives you a much smoother cowling and
a better ram air entry for the injection unit. However, you must make sure
you get a smallish alternator as there can be a conflict with the exhaust
system which wraps around the front mounted injector. The 60 amp
Alternator is slightly big. With the IO320 B1A you should also look out
for the type of mounting and accessory case fitted to your core engine.
The mounting may well be the dynafocal type 2 (which Lancair stock) but you
may need the mounting spacers to fit between the mount and the engine.
These are small aluminium machined spacers which cost about $50 each. Some
of the older IO 320 B1A's had a camshaft which had a separate cog wheel on
the aft end. These are still available but are twice as expensive as the
newer camshafts which are all in one piece. To change to the newer
camshaft you have to also change the accessory case. I found the cost of
replacing the old camshaft was as expensive as replacing both the accessory
case and buying a new camshaft.
The IO320 B1A is subject to a number of AD's which have to be complied with
if the engine is fully overhauled. These include a new oil pump and
various other internal parts. I would recommend that if the engine has
done more than 1500 hours, you have it zero-houred and completely
overhauled. I did this and took the opportunity to fit Millennium
Cylinders (these are supposed to be better than Lycoming because they are
made in more modern moulds and under greater tolerances), Slick Magnetos
with impulse on both, a remote oil filter and anew alternator. Usually,
Slick mags come with a free harness and this makes them competitive with
the bendix originals. Unfortunately my engine had a shock load and prop
strike on its first take-off so I have, (uniquely I suspect) had the
opportunity to have it inspected very early in its life after overhaul
(i.e. less than 1 hour!). Surprisingly this has shown wear in the piston
end plugs on the outer thrust faces on all four pistons. I am having these
replaced with bronze plugs instead of aluminium. The IO320 B1A commonly
had the wide flange cylinder bases held down by curved plates. These are
still freely available but are subject of an AD (FAA AD93-02-05).
My advice would be to either find a les than 1000 hour engine and simply
have it checked over and fitted, or if it is over 1000 hours I would
definitely have a full overhaul. If you do this you can specify one Mag
and electronic ignition - this is STC'd for the engine. I chose to stick
with two Mags as I have been flying around like that for over 20 years!
I hope this is helpful and good luck in your search.
regards,
Michael
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LML homepage: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
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