"Snowbird" wrote in message
om...
"Duane MacInnis" wrote in message
news:b8D_a.8634$zE1.7104@edtnps84...
Alas...

I am now the proud owner of a 1978 Cheetah with 868 hours total time.
AA5A-0660. Starting the annual tomorrow. Maybe new cam & lifters.

Duane, if you're that far into the engine, seriously -- do the
160 hp mod. You will never regret it.

I am wary of the condition of the cam. The airplane has been flown ~50
hours this year past, mostly me before I bought it, but in the 5 years prior
it flew less than 50 hours total. There is more than a little potential for
rust and pitting. Then again -- it may be perfect as the owner declared.
(I insisted in pulling two cylinders. He refused, but reduced the price by
half the cost of the cam. I accepted that. There is a much longer story.)

With this annual, presently underway, I will have two different labs do the
oil analysis plus "ferrography", to see if they can detect any rust or
pitting of the cam shaft & lifters. If their analysis is good, and the
compression holds, I will not pull two cylinders to inspect, and "fly it
till I fry it", waiting for metal to appear. When that happens, then out
she comes, and yes -- a zero time engine and the 160 STC.

If the engine holds together, I will likely paint the old sweetie soon. I
am aware that painting Grummans is another subject entirely.

Thanks for your help. I'm off to the airport to tear the old sweetie apart.

Congratulations, good luck, and don't forget to join AYA if
you haven't. Next July in Wisconsin Dells

Yes -- Gino Dimenna our local AYA guy is on my case too. You will see me on
the list soon. I thought the next convention might be in Qualicum here in
British Columbia?

See ya !

Duane

Cheer,
Sydney