cylinders

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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Runk170
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:10 pm

cylinders

Post by Runk170 »

Thinking of putting new cylinders on my 0300-C. The ECI's look to be about the best in material and innovation. Any thoughts?
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minton
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Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:20 am

Re: cylinders

Post by minton »

Do your research. Many cylinders have AD notes.
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GAHorn
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Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm

Re: cylinders

Post by GAHorn »

This is a Ford vs Chevy argument.... You will find proponents and opponents of each brand for various reasons, the proponents are usually a person who has only had a single engine "overhaul" in their entire experience and is happy with the fact their engine hasn't quit on them.

All three cylinder manufacturers have run into difficulties at one time or another. ECI is presently fighting a widespread AD note issued against their cylinders. That AD is not against the C145/O300 cylinders, and it may be arbitrary, but.... if it kills that company then what possible support will they give you down the road if you buy their cylinders for your engine?

Superior makes a good, basic product and enjoys a large group of happy customers (including myself) but they have not escaped an occasional complaint.

Continental ....the same..... but, if you are replacing ALL your cylinders you might consider Continental because their product is at least as good as the others in the standard steel cylinder business (and they are the original mfr'r), and they offer the "new, improved" pushrod seal conversion and now is the best time to do that mod. If I were completely re-doing my engine .... I'd go with those cylinders from TCM.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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cessna170bdriver
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Re: cylinders

Post by cessna170bdriver »

minton wrote:Do your research. Many cylinders have AD notes.
None that I'm aware of on the ECI's for the O-200/O300. Knowing my flying can be quite sporadic, I went with their Nickel+Carbide™ cylinders at my last overhaul. My engine has sat idle for as long as 13 months with no apparent ill effects. At the annual inspection two months ago, my worst cylinder with 300 hours total time on them was 78/80.

This is not a recommendation, just my honest experience.
Miles

“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
Metal Master
Posts: 526
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:52 am

Re: cylinders

Post by Metal Master »

I recently put new superior cylinders 2 each on my O-300A. I know the Superior tech rep a good friend and even with that I called my favorite engine shop to get there opinion. And after that I made my decision based on cost..Their opinion was that Factory cylinders were the worse. Between the ECI & Superior what I got was a set of Superior cylinders that were supplied from Superior with ECI pistons. ???
They are working great.
Regards,
Jim
A&P, IA, New owner C170A N1208D, Have rebuilt some 50 aircraft. So many airplanes, So little time!
ghostflyer
Posts: 1423
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:06 am

Re: cylinders

Post by ghostflyer »

I have my own aviation company that we deal in all aircraft and my aircraft that pass through here often need engine replacements ,avionics upgrades etc . We all do general servicing . As it was originally said it was a ford / Chevy thing but different aircraft have different roles to play so it has to have different components fitted to each engine . For example if a aircraft does 20 hours a year ,chrome bores are the best but if doing 90 hours a month well you can pick your components . However we have found superior cylinders the best hardy or better built cylinders However we have found some of the ring sets are soft . The best rings are made by the original manufactures of the applicable engines . There pistons are outstanding for weight differences .
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