Overhaul Shops

[Geoff]

My Champ's C85-12F engine needs a major overhaul. My mechanic friends recommend I find one shop to do the overhaul rather than do it piecemeal(case, crank, cylinder work all sent to different vendors) like I have seen on other posts. Do you save much going the piecemeal route? Is the "one stop shop " approach better from a quality/continuity standpoint ? As far a vendors go , are Crankcase Services (Sand Point) or Divco (Tulsa) still good options?

[rkittine]

Ever since Mattituck shut down, it has been getting harder and harder to find shops willing to work on these engines. There is a shop at Danbury, CT that did a C-90-12 for a friend of mine and you might call the shop at Argyle Airport and see if they are again doing small continental overhauls as they used to. 518-638-6540

I would consider Don's Dream Machine. Don Wades who took over from the Don Swords, may be doing regular overhauls in addition to the conversions, but I loved my Don's Dream Machine C-85-12 conversion with the 0-200 parts. 205-230-5787. Also had one of his C-90 Blue Printed motors.

Bob

[Geoff]

Thanks for the input Bob, I will give them a call.

Geoff

[Richard Murray]

Don's Dream Machines has closed its doors I'm sadden to say.

Zephyrhills Aircraft Engines is a good option, but they are not cheap.
https://www.zephyrengines.com/

[Geoff]

Thanks Richard, I will contact them. A little history, my 7DC Champ's C85-12F has TTE: 8495.9 TSMOH: 1464.6 .....roughly 335 HOURS left.. I have had some plug fouling problems(all cylinders) and now a cracked cylinder. One mechanic friend says get a rebuilt carb and do a top overhaul with all new cylinders and then fly it for a few years till the MOH since the engine is in pretty good shape and not cutting any chips. . Another says bite the bullet and do a major overhaul now. Any thoughts ?

Thanks,
Geoff

[Richard Murray]

Goeff-

The top overhaul is the way to go if the lower end is solid.

I would only do the cylinders if under 70/80.

Harrisson Engine Service in La Porte IN can chrome them back to standard for under $700
http://www.harrisonengine.com/

[rkittine]

Sorry to hear about Don's Dream Machine going under. I had thought that Don Wade was doing a good business after taking over from Don Swords. I have reached out to Don (Wade).

Bob

[Richard Murray]

Geoff (and Bob)-

I stand corrected! Don's Dream Machines is still in business, although no longer owned by Don Swords.

Facebook presence and I couldn't get their webpage to open.
https://www.facebook.com/Dons-Dream-Mac ... 383435089/

[Geoff]

Hello,
I went with a local rebuilder who is very knowledgeable about Aeroncas and C85-12F engines- Rainbow Aviation out of Moses Lake WA. The crankshaft (pn530196A 1) was inspected and re-worked at Aircraft Specialties Services . They said it was in good shape, met tolerances but unfortunately the flange on the propellor shaft was bent - .028" out of spec and now the shaft is scrap. My rebuilder was really surprised....he has never seen this problem before. It would take a lot of force to bend the flange. I find it hard to believe I ran the engine before the rebuild without some kind of vibration or problem resulting from a bent flange. It also is unlikely someone dropped the thing during shipping and I trust my rebuilder that his team did not bend it when they tore the engine apart. So now I am scrambling to find a crank shaft- anybody have a spare one available? Am also considering Don Sword's STC SE02004AT that installs O-200 crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons in the C-85 engine. (Superior parts approved). Wondering of it is worth the extra money.

Geoff

[rkittine]

I have owned one Don's Dream Machine converted C-85-12 as well as one of his rebuilt and tuned C-90s. The Conversion of the C-85-12 with the 0-200 parts is supposed to actually give 115 HP, though rated lower to not require the over 100 HP inspection requirements. With the correct propeller, it made a world of difference in my Chief as did the C-90 in my 7CCM.

Bob

[KCOI7]

Hello,
I went with a local rebuilder who is very knowledgeable about Aeroncas and C85-12F engines- Rainbow Aviation out of Moses Lake WA. The crankshaft (pn530196A 1) was inspected and re-worked at Aircraft Specialties Services . They said it was in good shape, met tolerances but unfortunately the flange on the propellor shaft was bent - .028" out of spec and now the shaft is scrap.

I have heard of cranks being straightened. Just do not tell them it is for an aircraft. in florida old engines end up on airboats all the time......