Cylinders

[CptKelly]

In the first May issue of TAP, www.aeroinstock.com says they have C-90 cylinder kits in stock ($822.28).

Mike

[rkittine]

Hi Paul,

Way above my knowledge base. I only just learned about the allowable Ring Separation Range, going through this exercise. When we asked Gibson how much to torgue the cylinder bolts, he had to go look it up! Oh, well, it is on.

Cheers - Robert

[Paul Agaliotis]

Robert,
I guess I'll have to go out on my own and figure out what's right.

Ring gaps as a rule of thumb, .003 per inch of bore on compression rings.
Paul

[Sgt. NCSHP]

I have had numerous stuck valves in the past 500 hours on a set of chrome TCM 0200 cylinders on my C-85. I keep the "kit" in the plane all the time now to repair them. What is latest and greatest or opinions on new cylinders now...TCM, ECI Superior, etc. I did not locate any discussion on this for the past couple of years and was wondering if anything has changed.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Joey,
TCM had a bunch of changes made to the valve guides and valves. You kind of need the correct valve and guide combination.
I still prefer TCM, ECI, Superior in that order. I'm watching pretty close to see how the " Asian Equation " works out with all of our spare parts. So far nothing to report.
Paul

[Sgt. NCSHP]

Paul I had two stuck valves in one day. I have researched several sites and the only thing I find is that when the cylinders were overhaul and I don't know who, the rocker bosses were not align properly when reamed for the brass bushing, thus the rocker arms do not align over the center of the valve stem end. Three of the four exhaust rocker arms wear off center. As I understand it this causes wear on the valve guide and can contribute to the sticking valve. So I am looking at going back with new cylinders now.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Joey,
There are two re-builders in California I use for the small TCM cylinders, only two. There are many companies that will do the work but most have problems. This cylinder has history of warranty returns, it's not as easy to fix as people think. Some things have to be done in a particular way. There may be more shops capable of doing the work, but I have only found two that I trust.
There was one O200 that I had 3 of the cylinders removed in less than 100hrs, one of them twice. This was after the shop came to me and begged me to use them. It kind of made me look like a monkey, the customers don't like all of the down time.
Paul

[DELCOM]

Paul
What two rebuilders do you use?

Del

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Continental ran into some production problems on the new O-200's going in Legend and SportCubs. Cylinders where being replaced at 200hrs TT. Click here for an example.

I'll take ECI, TCM and Superior. ECI Steel Barrel if it flys a lot, ECI CermiNil if it sits, or you're in a rust-prone climate.

ECI is making complete Lycoming engines and quite a few parts for continentals.

nkh

[Sgt. NCSHP]

I fly about 150 hours a year but I'm 40 miles inland from the coast & have high humidity levels during the summer months...That's one TCM and one ECI vote

[MikeB]

I installed new ECI Nickels on my L16/0200 engine. I have around 40 hours on it and just completed the annual. All cylinders were around 80/77-78 on the cylinder leakage test. Oil consumption seems to be very low and the oil stays clean which indicates not much 'blowby' getting by the rings. I sprung for the nickels due to a couple of recommendations and the fact I pretty much shut down for the winter. As an old diesel mechanic I generally believe in original equipment as I've seen a lot of aftermarket (diesel) cylinder kits have poor service lives (and got $tuck a few time$) but in this case I thought the nickels were a better deal....time will tell, I guess. Just read the link that Nathan posted and looks like lots of 'horror stories' with (some) OEM Continental kits. A friend of mine just installed four on his 140/C85 so it will be interesting to see how it works out. I can't believe Continental won't stand behind leaking exhaust valves until they get down to 80/40......I mean we're talking leaking exhaust valves that will eventually burn out the seat!!

One thing I do like about ECI kits is that they recommend Phillips 20/50 XC from break in through out the engine life.

Just my .02 cents (for whatever it's worth department).

Mike

[Paul Agaliotis]

Dell,
I sent you a PM.

Everybody is going to have a favorite manufacturer. TCM has been modifying the valves since the Seventy's. Back in the first part of this century they went to a finished valve guide. Make it the right size before you put it in the head. That worked as well as a G switch on a parachute. If the valve stuck people reamed the guide, but some of the guides had a plating in the bore. Once the plating was removed the valves stuck even faster. The aftermarket suppliers picked up on this situation and used it as a marketing tool.
The most important thing to remember is the proper break-in procedure. I use TCM Service Letter M89-7R1, except I don't use the CHT's. It's been working for me.
Paul

[MikeB]

It's always amazing to me: we're talking about "high quality, highly tested " (and I might add "overpriced" ) "certified" aircraft parts. Meanwhile my pickup truck or car goes 200,000 miles with no problems and minimal service other than regular oil changes. I realize we're talking different load factors but there seems something wrong with the picture and many of the engines have aluminum blocks and heads.

Mike