In reading my previous posting, I realized that I might had given the
wrong impression that the cracked cylinders were specific to
Cardinals. According to our AP (the one who did the annual), it is
not uncommon for overhauled Lycoming cylinders to have cracks after the
second half-life. These were fine hairline cracks which were easily
missed if one did not know specifically where to look (we were right
there with the first AP inspecting everything during the pre-buy
inspection). There were absolutely no warnings, no clues. The
compressions were great at the pre-buy (high 70's), oil analysis and
oil filter inspections were good all through 100hrs (we changed oil
after every 25hrs). The plane ran well, strong without any hesitation
etc.