How about some PICTURES
While working on my tail kit, a buddy of mine called out of the blue with an offer for a free Lycoming! Sounds great! Well it is off of an air boat (I know) and has a single mag, a modified intake, and a modified exhaust. It does say Lycoming on the valve covers but the block says "Mohawk". On the left side of the block the are the numbers 26DJMA and 61829 S, on the right side are 81828. Does anyone have any idea if this motor has any value other than an anchor? And if so, what is the displacement and H.P Thanks, Justin (RV-8 tail)
Free is my favorite word. I would disavow you from just bolting it up and flying. I can't tell you what it is with the info you gave. Any pictures? You do need someone who knows Lycs to look at it to make a initial judgment if its worth messing with, keeping the looking gift horse in the mouth thing. If the initial ID check turns out positive, this is what I would do.
First get someone to visually say yea its a Lyc XYZ. It may not be an engine you want to use like a 290. Is it solid crank? Is it dynafocal or conical? A sharp mechanic can tell if its obviously a 235/290, 320/320AD or 360 parallel/360 angle, just by looking at them.
Than do a more detailed outside inspection and partial disassembly (turns over by hand, makes compression, no obvious chunks in sump / oil, simple bore-scope if possible.....). If that is OK, than get it and tear it down. From there you can decide if you want to send out the crank, rods, case, cam, tappets and accessory gears for inspected. If all is good with cleaning and inspection, you can decide to overhaul them for use or even sell them.
In my opinion, you have to tear it down and inspect/overhaul all parts before even experimental aircraft use. Cost of that can be several grand. Cylinders? You may need 4 new cylinder assemblies, about $4,000 total. Carb/FI overhaul $1000 or more. Single Mag? I assume there is a mag hole for the second mag? You can replace the #2 ignition with an electronic unit ($1,000). Plan on putting in at least $7,000 to $12,000 total to bring up to snuff, if all parts are usable cores and its an engine you want.
Modified intake? If its usable great, but if you need to buy a new sump is very expensive, unless you can buy a used one. You will need new exhaust anyway.
Mohawk and the numbers don't make much sense to me. The 81828 is a serial number? So lycoming might be able to tell you. You may be able to sell the parts off to air boat folks? Do you any history? It is free.
Post some detailed pictures. It could be junk or a goldmine. To put a little water of the fire you rarely get something of great value for free. It could be unsafe and a waste of time? It could be a great thing. If nothing else you can make some money selling parts to air-boat folks. You really need someone with engine knowledge to look and lay hands on it.
You may want to get on a Air boat forum and ask them what it is?
