Compression readings

On a Lycoming O-550, at what compression reading would you start to consider
doing a top or complete overhaul?

In article . net,
" wrote:

On a Lycoming O-550, at what compression reading would you start to consider
doing a top or complete overhaul?

What is a "Lycoming "IO-550"? I know what a lycoming IO-540 is and what
a Continental IO-550 is, but -- a "Lycoming IO-550"??

Anybody who decides to do a complete overhaul because of low compresion
reading/s is a moron. Why is the compression low? How many hours on
the engine, etc? I bought my 182 6.5 years and 900 hours ago with 500
SMOH. My mechanic and I have since learned that the overhaul by Mid
States in Tulsa wasn't a very good one. I have had 5 of my 6 cylinders
off over the years, but just once each. It's always the valves. You
fix them and move on. Perhaps this is why Mid States is no longer in
business. No way I do a complete top much less a complete overhaul just
for bad valves. The occasional oil analysis always comes back normal.



wrote:

On a Lycoming O-550, at what compression reading would you start to consider
doing a top or complete overhaul?

I agree. Compression readings are just one indicator of engine health,
along with history, oil analysis, long-term trends, etc. And some engines
are notorious for low compressions now and then - if you did a top overhaul
every time a cylinder dipped below 60, you'd never get a year without
pulling a cylinder. There is no such thing as a magic number that it a
go/no-go for doing a top.

- Mark

" wrote in message
ink.net...
On a Lycoming O-550, at what compression reading would you start to
consider
doing a top or complete overhaul?




There is no such engine.

KG