Expert: Marc Ebelini - 8/21/2007

Question
Mr Marc:  my friend and i have 2 to 3 hi time 1966 io 360 continental in sky masters that need "short block" assembly:  all steel parts magnafluxed and machined, cases machined welded as necessary, cylinders and accessories we'll take care of with our own a&p.  we have cores.  we're looking for someone with 4 or 6 cyl continental engine assembly experience  who could assemble these on an hourly basis.  no warranty given or implied, just excellent workmanship.  2nd question  we purchased a running engine from a experimental aircraft with no logs, what do we have to do to install it on a certified engine, make up new logs with assumptions? tear down the engine? thanks ben..we are in mid ohio.

Answer
Living in Florida is too far for me to help I would not know anyone in your area. An engine with no logs is worthless because to use it legally and with good reason would be to tear it down and re cerify all the parts. Engine history is important because is some cases engine crankcases can only be rebuilt several times. Not only are you interested in dimensions but magnafluxing parts to see if they have been strained. The engine could have had a sudden stoppage of the prop that requires certain degrees of testing before returning to service. It's hard enough to get engines with honest history, so beware of the ones without. Sorry I cannot be of more help.