Lycoming Mandatory SB 612 IO-360-M Series

[rzbill]

Originally Posted by BillL

Interesting, data usually is. On the off-topic: I installed the same valve with the nipple for attaching a hose. Will you be safety wiring the handle? How?

Hi Bill,
I think I will not safety the Fumoto handle. It's locking design satisfies my engineering brain. However, since the original pipe plug was safetied, I decided to maintain that level by drilling a hole in the Fumoto flange and wiring the valve to the engine.

*****Edit**** BillL, I was at the hangar today, cleaning and swapping plugs. You talked me into safety wiring the handle.

[Bill Dicus]

My new dipstick arrived today, in c/w with Lycoming SB 612.9 The new dipstick is longer and I'll try to post photographs. The markings are definitely different, in that if the old stick oil level measured five or six the new stick actually shows a higher level; that is more than five or more than six. However at four, the old dipstick shows more oil in the crankcase then the new one does. The markings are quite nonlinear. The M-series engines seem to have a smaller crank case minimum oil level of four quarts compared to 2 3/4 on many other Lycomings. The dipstick was ordered through Air Power Inc in Texas. They were very nice to deal with. The seal (O ring) was not included with the dipstick.

[BillL]

Originally Posted by rzbill

Hi Bill,
I think I will not safety the Fumoto handle. It's locking design satisfies my engineering brain. However, since the original pipe plug was safetied, I decided to maintain that level by drilling a hole in the Fumoto flange and wiring the valve to the engine.

*****Edit**** BillL, I was at the hangar today, cleaning and swapping plugs. You talked me into safety wiring the handle.

Funny, I really was just asking. I looked at the slot and then at the safety wire hole that was used for the plug. I just fastened one end of the wire on the handle and around to the original spot for the plug. Double duty. Vibration certainly would not knock it loose, as diesels are pretty active, but don't do acrobatics. I guess now we are both covered!

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Bill Dicus

... The dipstick was ordered through Air Power Inc in Texas. They were very nice to deal with ...

Thank you for the tip on Air Power Inc, Bill. You're right: Natalie in Warranty/Parts Cores made it very easy for me. (Everyone else from my local Aviall Distributor to the Lycoming factory got that "deer in the headlights" look when I asked about a dipstick for an experimental engine.)

Below is a picture comparing the markings of the new vs. old dipsticks. (The markings on the original dipstick at 5 and 7 quarts are my own).

I cannot understand how Lycoming screwed it up so badly: relying on their markings would allow you to overfill at the 6- or 8-quart marks or underfill at the 4-quart mark (which is the minimum oil quantity for this engine).



--
Joe