[n86121]

Thanks all for the leads.

I figured a cylinder for a TSIO 360AB3B would be readily available.

Oh boy, was I wrong.

Downside our on-field shop is also backing up.

So, if I could find a replacement and have on hand when old comes out, new one goes in fast.

Talking with the flight schools in the area, the supply is still badly amiss.
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Years ago, before my rear engine OH, I would always go with new cylinders if needed.

Reasons being

A. A used OH cylinder might be physically identical, meet spec, but could already have 10,000 hours of thermal stress on it. Remember, mine is a turbo.

B. When it would come time to OH the engine, I would be using all my own first run cylinders, not things found and hoped for.

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My options here became,

1. Major distributor, Air power, "No stock, new or used, hoping for restock late Jan or Feb"
Uh oh...

2. Nice shop in FL (Zephyr) "could overhaul it for around $1k,
but, shop floor is backed up 8-12 weeks before we could even get to it."

3. A nice chap in PA, Tim at Skyline Cylinders.

Once removed, mail the cylinder, turn around in just a few days.
Figure shipping back and forth 2-3 days each way,
Which inevitably wraps around a weekend, ...or two.

Since the valve is burnt (reason for all this suffering),
the new valve part alone would be ~ $500 + labor to clean it all up.
So maybe also $1k ish, and maybe 1-2 weeks to have back in hand.

Would it be officially 'overhauled,' or just valve replaced and shiny?
Not sure.

Nice option, but time of the essence to wrap it up "quickly"

Kept looking

4. J&J in PA had ONE new cylinder for this engine in stock, "can ship that day."

I bought it ($2.3k) and that's the one going on this week (?)

I will keep the cylinder coming off as spare, and OH it if/when I need one.

There's a 'lotta crap' has to come off the engine to get the #3 middle cylinder
Of course, you cant get it in/out without also loosening the one next to it,
Of course!