Lycoming stored unpickled

RV7AAAAAAA · #1 07-17-2006, 06:02 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWN%3AIT
Well I decided against the affordable Briggs and Stratton engine and bought a Lycoming. I just bought it on Ebay some of you may have seen it. Click above:
(Hope this works)
This O-320-E2A has zero time SMOH 31 years ago.
My questions are what would you guys do? Completely tear down and inspect as if a core? Where do I look for corrosion problems. Where would I look for AD's since 1975 on this engine. Or just fill it up with oil, turn by hand and go fly?

I'd appreciate comments, suggestions, opinions, and what I would do's from you all. I hope you're out there Mahlon, George, Dan, etc.

Thanks Jim Kirks
getting ready to mate s/b wings to q/b fuse

yarddart · #2 07-17-2006, 06:34 PM

Tear it down

Mr. Mikey · #3 07-17-2006, 08:35 PM

Read up on the glide characteristics of the RV-7.

You'll know what to do.

cjensen · #4 07-17-2006, 08:39 PM

Definitely teardown. Especially if it really was unpickled for that amount of time. You could find corrosion anywhere and everywhere in a 31 year old "0" engine. You must have gotten a great deal on it, so don't be worried if you do find something needing replacing. Sounds like a fun project!!

wingtime · #5 07-17-2006, 10:25 PM

I was watching that one. I'd say it would be a good idea to tear it down.

rv72004 · #6 07-17-2006, 11:11 PM

At minimum, pull the pots and rear case to check cam and gears. These as well as cylinders are high corrosion areas.
If it were mine Id tear down.

Low Pass · #7 07-18-2006, 07:25 AM

Tear it all the way down. I was in almost your exact situation with my engine - O-320-E2A sitting in Houston humidity for years with no protection. Got a killer deal on it but had the risk of finding problems. I found virtually none. The only damage I found was a bad camshaft, and it was able to be reground.

I would suggest one thing different that what I did. Unless you have some Lycoming overhaul time under your belt, send the disassembled critical parts out to be checked and prep'd for reinstallation by a reputable shop. I did everything myself, except for the cam shaft and lifter assemblies. Unfortunately, even though I had a very good crack-free, precisely balanced crank (done myself), I didn't refinish the main crank lip seal area properly. Now I have a seepy main seal, unless I want to split the case again.

Point being, you may rebuild top-fuel dragster engines every weekend, but you miss one item and it may be a major pain in the backside down the road.

2 cents

rgbewley · #8 07-18-2006, 07:25 AM

I would suggest a tear down inspection to verify that the engine doesn't have corrosion. If you send it to a shop, they should comply with any SBs and ADs that need to be completed on the engine. You can always decide to go through with an o'h if there is any corrosion that warrants it. You'll also have to be careful about any SBs or ADs on things like the fuel system and mags.

Good luck.

Rhonda Barrett-Bewley
Barrett Precision Engines, Inc.

RV7AAAAAAA · #9 07-18-2006, 09:18 AM

Thanks everyone for your help. There is no doubt now I will tear it down and send out each component for inspection, service, yellow tag. (hope I didn't get ripped). I hope corrosion does not make parts like the crank unserviceable. I don't feel qualified to reassemble engine myself, but I may attempt it for the education and I have 2 RV buddies who've been there, done that, and offered to help me. And yes they also said "tear it down." I know there is a fear of internal corrosion on new engines that have been stored for months without proper long term storage. Let alone 31 years. That seems like corrosion paranoia probably something to do with $25,000 price tag. I suspect a new engine that's never ran may be more at risk of corrosion than a mid time engine that has sat for years.
Low Pass - Thanks for your post, your situation makes me feel a little more at ease.
Thanks again
Jim

szicree · #10 07-18-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV7AAAAAAA

I suspect a new engine that's never ran may be more at risk of corrosion than a mid time engine that has sat for years.

You might get lucky on this point. These things are pretty greased up when assembled. Also, the by-products of combustion pollute engine oil and contribute greatly to corrosion. Since your motor was never run, you'll avoid this contamination. Good luck.