Bob Chilcoat wrote:
It looks like the Archer needs a new engine. We're just short of 2,000
hours, the pressures are all 70 or above, and it's not making metal, but
there is a lot of loud piston slap going on. We get mixed opinions about
whether or not this can cause a sudden stoppage, so we're probably erring on
the side of caution.

At any rate, the best price we can find is for a rebuild with new Lycoming
cylinders for $15,000 from Triad Engines. I'm not too sure about trusting a
shop named after an international crime syndicate, but what the heck, that's
over 3,000 less than a Penn Yan, Mattituck or Lycoming factory OH. I would
appreciate any direct knowledge about this company. Anyone have any direct
experience with these guys, in Burlington, N

I've had two overhauls from Triad, one in my Archer, and one in the
Mooney. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. The Mooney has 700+ hours
on the overhaul with no problems.

I chose them in part because they are nearby. I am based at
Raleigh-Durham. I had had a previous not-so-good experience with a
nationally advertised overhauler who was far away. Much of the badness
of that experience was because of the distance from the shop, which
complicates warranty issues enormously.

Naturally, I recommend including distance from the overhaul shop as one
of your criteria in selecting an overhauler.

All the nearby FBOs with rental fleets that I know of send their engines
to Triad.

H&H Propeller is colocated with Triad Engines.

Give Othman Rashed a call at Triad and ask him if you can stop by for a
tour of the shop. Mike Branham is another person I talked to there. It's
been 5-6 years since I've been there.

Dave