Factory Remanufactured Engines

[dogpilot]

I always warn folks about factory remans. The 185 I bought recently unfortunately had one. So I knew it would need a top end. TCM is so cheap they re-used old intake valves, exhaust valves you expect to toss at 1,000 hours, but intakes should go the distance with a quick grind. Well these had seen more than one grind in their hard life. They were not even hitting on the bevel, they had worn past that and where sitting on the top of the seat! The factory can re-use old parts that any legitimate re-builder would toss and use new, that and use unskilled, locally licensed labor. So beware, the term factory also means cheap, shoddy product.

[mtv]

That may be true for Continental products, but it's not for Lycoming. Lycoming never re-uses any top end parts, even in an overhaul.

MTV

[hotrod150]

Funny that you would say that, Dog. Most people see a "field overhaul" (which I guess is any overhaul not performed at the factory?) in a logbook and turn their nose up at it. Personally I would feel better about a "field overhaul" performed by one of the better-known engine specialty shops (Ponk, Lycon, etc) than a factory reman. There are also some less well known engine specialty shops such as Avian (Bremerton WA) who have a very good rep. Some independent mechanics do very good overhauls also, often under just an A&P license, but usually their shops are not as impressive as the big boys. I had the C145 in my old C170 OH'd by one of these independents & it gave me 1100 hours of good service before I sold it-- still going strong as far as I know.