Using the Vans FAB on the Patrol

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Lycoming O-540 Overhaul Considerations

Source: 2009 Q1 Beartracks. Operation PHOENIX NOISEMAKER – Russ Erb
Back in 2004 I bought a used Lycoming O-540 engine sans accessories for $12,000. I was told that the engine had a fresh overhaul, and the sole entry in the logbook said so. The seller even said he would give me a one year warranty starting when I first ran the engine. Sounded like a real deal. Do you really get what you pay for? Fast forward four years, and on 7 June 2008 Three Sigma had its First Flight, such as it was. Shortly after takeoff, it developed a nasty case of trim tab flutter, which went away after slowing down. One trip around the pattern and the flight was over.Cracked Lycoming Cylinder
On 11 June 2008, with the trim tab pushrods replaced with stiffer pushrods, we launched onto the Second First Flight, which ended shortly thereafter with a severely overheating engine. The engine was removed from the airplane and shipped back to the seller for investigation and repair. Eventually he would discover that chrome rings had been installed in chrome cylinders, an absolutely forbidden no-no. He had four of the cylinders re-chromed and changed out the rings and pistons. The engine was returned after six months. (No, I’m not telling you who the seller was, so don’t ask).

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Cooling: A Black Art

Source: 2005 Q3 Beartracks
Cooling an airplane engine is one of those controversial subjects for which there are few pat answers. What works for one, may not work for the next, seemingly identical, airplane. There are some base line parameters that have to be met and then things are changed from there.

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