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Certified!!!!!
While I don't use Continental's high end engines, some of you might find the gallows humor in these ramblings--
Six years ago I replaced the Front I/O360G on my Skymaster with a factory engine since no overhauler could match the price after all the AD's were satisfied (Crankshaft, Rods, Etc.). After 35 hours of flight, an emergency AD was issued with my engine serial as the first in the list -- Oops, Continental had forgotten to put all the valve guide keys in all the engines and, if your engine had stayed together for 25 hours, you didn't have to tear it down to check. Moral: Never replace both engines at the same time, even if you only have one.
Two years ago, I replaced the Rear engine. It was taking too long, so a call to the factory determined that it was one of about every 20 engines that are pulled after production and torn down by the FAA to check tolerances, etc. This results in a "Blue-Tagged" engine which some people actually request and pay a premium for the honor. Shortly after that engine was installed, I got a call from Continental about an AD against a recent flock of engines -- Continental had used the same internal code for VAR and non-VAR crankshafts and since the FAA wasn't looking too hard would I please pull cyl #5 and check for the letters V-A-R on the crank (it was there). Last week at annual time, the mechanic pulled the starter adapter on this 150 hour engine because it was sounding funny. The rust pitted shaft and rust destroyed bearings were sitting in the usual pool of oil. The very experienced mechanic said that it was likely that it was rusty when it was installed at the factory. This is why we have two engines on the Skymaster -- Remember, the critical engine is the one thats' running.
Power to experimental aircraft where, if we can find a better, safer, cost efficient part, we can use it.
Scott (2 spinner beanie) Krueger
Proud posessor of three engines (at least one is running).
N92EX (LNC2)
N1884M (C337)
LML homepage: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
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