Opinions on engines needed

dgkirk · Post by **dgkirk** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:12 pm

I have two C-145 engines and will use one of them on my project:
(1) 600 SFRM by TW Smith, BUT done in 1976 - engine was removed and sort of pickled in 1990. Turns good and has compression. Was not from a damaged aircraft. No accessories. Early SN from a '48, but am sure it is dampened crank. Do have the log.
(2) Current engine with 300 SMOH, BUT bent crank and broken engine mounts. Don't think there is any other damage. Will use the accessories from this one for whichever one I install.

Do I tear down the 600 hr. engine and use the crank? I have thought about just pulling a cylinder on the 600 hr. engine to determine condition and then make the decision. I don't want the expense of doing an overhaul on either one since the hrs. remaining are good.

Am sure someone has some experience with this sort of problem........... Thanks!
Dan K

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:26 am

I have owned two TW Smith engines last overhauled by them way back in the '70's. They were and are great engines. They are both still running just fine on my old Baron. They are both approaching TBO and the present owner intends to keep on running 'em because they are doing so well.
Does that mean the engine YOU have will do as well? It's anybody's guess. But TW Smith used to do quality work before they went out of business.
I'd be careful using accy's off a prop strike engine unless they were overhauled first. Everything that suffered the stoppage was subjected to the same shock. The mandatory service bulletins that address sudden stoppages/prop strikes require all the accy's also be inspected/overhauled.

dgkirk · Post by **dgkirk** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:40 am

Actually, don't think the engine was turning when it hit some sort of electrical box off to the side of the runway...........prop had one blade bent severely, other was untouched, so don't believe it wasn't rotating, or at the very least was only idling. No "smear" marks at all on the prop.
I know of TW Smith's reputation, wonder why they went out of business?

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:09 am

According to both Lycoming and Continental, if the prop was damaged sufficiently to require removal for repair....the engine must be inspected for prop strike/sudden stoppage.