Engine Rebuild

Start:  05/30/09
Finish:
Total Time: 8 Hours

This isn't something covered by the plans, so while it relates to chapter 23, we felt it best to separate this task out.  The engine we purchased had over 2800 hours on it since it's last overhaul.  Considering the recommended Time Between Overhaul (TBO) from Lycoming is 2000 hours, we knew when we bought it that we'd have to rebuild it before flying with it.

The plans suggest finding a mid-time engine that is proper working order so that one isn't proving out an engine at the same time as the airframe.  This is great advice, and had we found a mid time C1C when we needed to purchase we would have used one.  Rebuilding will give us a better understanding of the engine though.

After removing the engine from the airframe when we were done with fitment, the first step was to disassemble the engine for cleaning and measurement.

We found a number of cracks in the crankcase after we got the sump and the cylinders removed.  While we're aware that crankcase cracks are not uncommon, we're not familiar enough with these engines to determine which cracks can be repaired, and which, if any, are cause for discarding the case.  We'll leave that determination to the experts at the engine shop.  We're not particularly worried at this point though, as the business we purchased the engine from is reputable and guarantees the cases and crankshafts to make overhaul.  Swapping out the case would only take a quick lunch hour errand.