I agree. It is a very sound AC and I have grown somewhat attached to the old girl. Lets find a solution and some cost effective engines...

Hi Tom, Don't feel bad - my first Skymaster I got for $80,000, put almost $100,000k more into it, and after a few years sold it for $105,000. On my current Skymaster on a recent front top overhaul he checked the cam and luckily it was excellent, but I guess I wouldn't have known until he looked, and a lot of us don't really know what kind of shape our cams are in, but we hope to pick up any problems when the oil filter is cut open every oil change. As you know, any engine that sits will get cam spalling unless you start it up or if turn the prop by hand eg. ideally weekly, (Camguard also helps).
Was there any significant metal in your rear engine filter as a warning? Any on your front filter?
Some owners send off samples for oil analysis at each oil change and follow the profile - you can get the kits from Spruce. Could be worthwhile for your front engine, but the safest thing might ultimately be to look at the cam.
Any salvage engine should have been pickled but even then you could have your mechanic boroscope and maybe pull a couple of jugs and take a look. WRT Factory Remans, with Continental you get about $4,000 USD for your core, regardless of what kind of crank you have which is great. It took them a month to build my rear engine Factory Reman-TBO is 1600h, and it came with:
Mags
Harness
Spark Plugs
Starter
Alternator
Oil Cooler
Fuel Injection System.
Shipping for me in Canada was about $500 USD each way (for Factory Reman and Core).
All the Best Tom,
Jim

Thanks!
 

Thanks for the assistance. I have decided to bite the bullet and go with two factory remanufactured engines from Continental. Big $$$ but hopefully the end to my problems for good.

Engines
 

If you don’t mind me asking what is the price of the engines you’re getting?

$43KUSD each. Yikes..!

Man, I CAN'T WAIT for a ride!!!

Rebuilt engines
 

I used American Aircraft Engines in Olk. They remanufactured two engines for my 1975 P337G, N34EC. While nothing is inexpensive when it comes to aircraft, the cost was reasonable. They stand behind their work and are easy folks to work with. You can find their website on the web. Check them out. Good luck and hope all works out fine for you.

Jerry
N34EC

My issue was that I had non-VAR crankshafts so no shop would rebuild my engines and all of them suggested I buy factory remanufactured right from Continental. I had very few options...

Why couldn’t the shops replace the cranks? Are they something that only TCM can do?

Damn, Tom!

That is going to be one seriously nickel-slick airplane!

Look forward to seeing you in the Kootenays with it!




Leighton.

They could but that was going to make the cost to rebuild higher than buying a factory remanufactured straight from Continental WITH a warranty and a higher TBO (1700hrs as opposed to 1500). The next option was factory NEW at $10k more per engine.

Engine Dilemma
 

Tom
i think its very ;wise decision, remember if these planes were build today, would cost, 1.2 million USD , and i think new engines will give this plane new .life; and still it would be the best priced aircraft to own, ( compare it with new Beech craft G-58 ,huge price tag ,long field performance and hassel of asymmetric thrust ) :)
Dennis