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Interesting comments from Bill Gradwohl re: TCM Engines.

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger regarding TCM, Bill. Your comments could
just as easily refer to Lycoming as well, from my own experience.

Back a couple of years, I had a locally rebuilt Lyc O-235, with some of the
better after-market parts like cam and pistons/rings in it. At about 85
hours, I was unfortuunate enough to get into the infamous "Chevron fuel
debacle" in Northern California. The Friendly Aviation Administration
insisted that that engine was no longer airworthy and had to come out and be
sent to the rebuilder of my choice for a complete inspection and reman.
(Regardless that I had only about 20% of my fuel load of the questionable
fuel on board). Anyway, to keep my insurance co. happy, I pulled that engine
out and sent it off to the factory, figuring that's probably the best place
as long as the Chevron insurance outfit was paying the bills - you know,
gets new jugs, new whatever needed to qualify as a "Factory Reman", new log
book and all.

BIG mistake!!! What I got back was only marginally qualified as a fancy boat
anchor! I was told that I'd get an engine back matching the one I sent, only
better. No way! The one I sent had the fuel pump gear and push-rod and fuel
pump. Came back without any of that stuff. I also had installed (and made
Lyc aware of it) the high compression (Lycoming part no.) pistons - the
returned engine had standard pistons. When I had a local wrench check for
the pistons, he found that three of the wrist pins were galled in the
pistons so bad that he almost couldn't get them out. As you know, wrist pins
are supposed to be a palm-press fit. Further, about 80% of the case bolts
had the flat-washers and lock-washers reversed - then painted over so you
couldn't see it on casual inspection. Of course, this only became obvious
when the rear case had to be removed to install the missing fuel pump
components. There were more things wrong, but I think you get the message.

So, a word to the wise (or observant, as the case may be) have somebody you
trust go over any engine you receive from the various factories, even if the
engine's new or "reman'ed, since just because, or maybe because, it comes
from "The Factory". Unhappy experience tells me that that doesn't guarantee
that it's more than the proverbial Fancy Boat Anchor.

Caveat Emptor!

Dan Schaefer
N235SP

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