Engine with Complex History

The rest of your story doesn't particularly bother me, but as somebody else
pointed out, such a checkered history makes a major haggling point.

This part bothers me. Somebody inspected the engine per prop strike
instructions, yet you have no idea who it was or such as that? The rules say
that any inspection made must not only have the signature, BUT THE POWERPLANT
CERTIFICATE NUMBER of the person performing the inspection (or the agency
number, if it was done that way). No certificate, no inspection, and I'd point
that out to the seller in no uncertain terms. If they shine it on, then I'd
take up the matter with the local FSDO.

If you've got the certificate number, then a lot of the aviation search engines
(landings, etc.) will let you look up the name and address of the inspector.

Jim



(Mike Granby)
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

The engine found its way back to the USA were
-it was torn-down and inspected by someone whose name I can't read as
-per the Lycoming prop strike instructions, shortly after which it was
-fitted to the PA-32.
Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

Jim Weir wrote:

This part bothers me. Somebody inspected the engine per
prop strike instructions, yet you have no idea who it was
or such as that?

I couldn't read the name in the log book. The seller has now produced
paperwork showing that the work was done by St Louis Engine, who in
turn sent most of the parts out to a local company, Quality Testing
Service, and sent the crank and camshaft to Aircraft Specialties in
Tulsa. Both of these companies are FAA Repair Stations. I've also seen
QTS' documentation, which states that they magnaxfluxed all the parts
they inspected. I haven't seen anything from Aircraft Specialties yet,
but I'm sure it's there somewhere. (A lot of this is being done by
email with the seller scanning stuff and sending it, but soon I'll be
visiting to see things in person.)

The rules say that any inspection made must not only have
the signature, BUT THE POWERPLANT CERTIFICATE NUMBER of the
person performing the inspection (or the agency number, if
it was done that way).

The A&P number was there. Sorry for not mentioning it.

If you've got the certificate number, then a lot of the
aviation search engines (landings, etc.) will let you
look up the name and address of the inspector.

Doh! I should have thought of that.

Thanks for your help, Jim!