A65 rebuild parts

[rotaxflyer]

Since my engine is testing in the mid 60's on the leak test and I now need to lift the tail in the air to get oil pressure, I am contemplating a rebuild. Hanger-mate says that shouldn't cost much. I am in the uncertified realm and he tells me that there should be aftermarket pistons and so on that are not certified available very reasonably priced. I can't find them on the net.

Anyone here know of such a source?

Andy

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: A65 rebuild parts

When I rebuilt my 65, the local IA had BOXES of 65 pistons. He let me take the whole box to a local hot rod shop and we weighed the wrist pins, pistons, caps and rods to make a balanced set. He even spin tested my crank and balanced it for me BUT it has to be done BEFORE the IA checked it. If the Hot Rod guy trims the crank in the wrong place, or too much, you loose the crank. The guy I used built NASCAR engines for a "big name" and I knew he was good. He even found one piston that was WAY lighter than the rest and turned out to have a hidden void in the casting. You need a machinist/engine builder who will work well with your IA. My guy thought it was "cool" to work on an airplane part and did it under the supervision of the IA.
Hank

[astjp2]

Re: A65 rebuild parts

If your A&P signs off on a crank that was balanced by a non approved shop, they could lose thier ticket....Law vs. Administrator was about an IA that had a crank balanced but it was not by an approved process and he lost all of his tickets, (IA and A&P). Just send it to Aircraft specialties and have Harold balance it, its cheap enough and its approved. The Feds are concerned about the Nitriding of the cranks after machining. Parts matching is great for the pistons and even matching rocker arm geometry is an improvement just dont alter anything unless its by an approved shop. Tim

[rotaxflyer]

Re: A65 rebuild parts

I am not interested in using the services of an A&P or AME as we would call them. My airplane is registered as a BASIC Ultralight and therefore I experience zero bureaucracy. I am looking for that mythical source of cheap, good UNcertified parts. Don't think I'll mess with the crank myself though. Thanks for the tip about aircraft specialties.

Andy

[cpirrmann]

Re: A65 rebuild parts

Luck you! Can I register my A/C in Canada?

[rotaxflyer]

Re: A65 rebuild parts

Actually you can't register your aircraft in Canada unless you are a permanent resident or citizen. But I think there is a special exemption in the rules for Michael Moore

Andy

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: A65 rebuild parts

If your A&P signs off on a crank that was balanced by a non approved shop, they could lose thier ticket....Law vs. Administrator was about an IA that had a crank balanced but it was not by an approved process and he lost all of his tickets, (IA and A&P). Just send it to Aircraft specialties and have Harold balance it, its cheap enough and its approved. The Feds are concerned about the Nitriding of the cranks after machining. Parts matching is great for the pistons and even matching rocker arm geometry is an improvement just dont alter anything unless its by an approved shop. Tim

I don't think this was the same situation as you discribed. The machinest worked with the coopertion of the IA (who also does machine work on cranks, but didn't have the spin balance equipment). The nitriding process is used to surface harden the area the rods and bearings run on, NOT the area set aside on the throws used to balance. The area used to correct the balance was NOT hardened.
I like the idea of sending a crank to Aircraft Specialties, if for no other reason than to avoid misunderstandings and use someone who is practiced with the process. The machinest I used did NASCAR engines for some pretty big names and was very familliar with material properties in cranks. That was why the IA was willing to work with him. Wish I had known about Harold, but then I couldn't have been there for the work.
If there is a legal reason this engine is suspect someone let me know. It's crated up and ready for use when the one I'm flying needs a major.
Hank

[astjp2]

Re: A65 rebuild parts

Well T.W. Law lost his ticket because his machinist that he was using ground on the crankshaft to balance it. This is not an approved process by the manufacturer nor is balancing. "The factory balancing is good enough." that is what the manufacturers are saying so they dont get into lilability issues that thier product is not good enough. I have not found anywhere that says that an IA can approve a crankshaft for return to service after the counterweights have been ground. I dont think that the Feds would buy off on it either. Just my observation. Tim

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: A65 rebuild parts

Got to check the regs again. Hope I haven't got a crate with an experimental engine in it.