Prop Governor
 

Howdy to all...
I have been following the MT governor problem over the last week and I am not sure where to start or what to do. I have a P-860-3 #13G00_ . The last s/n number I can't read. I also have a Lycoming YIO-540-D4A5 engine number EL-35740-48E that was shipped from Vans 9/2013
There is talk about ratios that drive the pump, narrow and wide deck motors ect.
Should I just contact MT? Just not sure where to start? I am getting close to a start, and certainly don't want an overspeed problem like one gentleman had on his first flight..

As always thanks in advance for the help!!

This is what I would do if in your shoes.

1. I would see if Van's will take your unused MT governor back in exchange for the wide deck Hartzell governor. This will cost you the price difference obviously. Hartzell really stresses different govs for different ratios. MT doesn't. Be extra vigilant as Van's has mislabeled and mishipped the Hartzell govs in the past.

2. If the above doesn't work, I would send your PG to MT for the update before flying.

3. If you want to fly quickly, and peace of mind means more than $1600 ish, I would just buy a Hartzell and then sell your updated MT on the open market when the dust settles.

Actually, I actually am in your shoes in a way when I get my engine and prop back, the only difference is that my MT is non returnable, and non-updatable.

Or buy a PCU-5000X. I have installed this governor on an RV-8 and and RV-10. Both installs have been trouble free.

Carl

That could be an excellent option, just not primary for me. My experience with that factory in the Czech Republic hasn't been so pleasant. I question materials more than engineering, but I'm no expert.

With Hartzell I like that you can call right to the source during normal business hours and someone extremely knowledgable who speaks your language will go out of their way to answer your questions and explain things on a very deep level. I've held the US and Czech govs in each hand simultaneously. Yes I readily admit that I am a bit jaded at the moment.

It appears (someone correct me if I am wrong) that the PCU-5000 is very similar to the MT 860 in external dimensions, whereas the Hartzell is larger, and may require some reworking of the cowling and baffling.

That's true but very minor. Basically it's the opening in the Captains side front eyebrow cavity on the bottom side of the top cowl. We did the rough modifications in the field in about 3 mins with a Leatherman tool, which will be easy to final finish when the time comes.

Myron, which model did you get -- S-1-26?

I don't have one yet. I just used a donor to get home.

I will say however that the MT always chased rpm +/- 10 or 15, especially the first part of a flight and I just wrote it off as indication artifact error. The donor Hartzell stayed glued to wherever you set it and never required any adjustment.

I got a S-1-32 in my FWF kit

I asked because I've been trying to decrypt the Hartzell application guide to figure out the exact model for a narrow deck 540. Right now I think it's S-1-26 for the narrow deck and S-1-32 for the wide deck.

I guess I'll shoot off an e-mail to Hartzell and see if they can confirm.