Feedback request on Porting & Polishing

[MikePalmer]

I've been asked to do a follow on article on Porting & Polishing for The
Aviation Consumer from a user perspective, as it pertains to certified
engines. (The article I wrote in Light Planes Maintenance was from a
mechanical perspective.) Would like some user feedback, good or bad.

If you have a certified aircraft and had your cylinders Ported and Polished:

- Why did you do it?
- How much did it cost (per cylinder)?
- Did the shop flow match or use a flow bench? ("Don't know" is okay
answer.)
- Did the shop do a fancy valve grind as part of the package?
- If you flew the engine before the change, and if that's all that
changed (i.e. no higher compression pistons) can you tell any difference
in performance? Any WOW! factor?
- How did climb, top speed, cruise speed and fuel burn change?
- Any problems related to P&P? (any cylinder cracking in the head?)
- If the shop worked the valves, did you have any problems with
valves before and are you having any problems now?
- What kind of paperwork in the logbook, if any, discusses the
modification to the cylinders?
- Was it worth it? Would you do it again?

I would appreciate your input. Please respond to

mppalmer at a o l . c o m

Thanks,

Mike Palmer <><

[Jon A.]

Mike;
Rather than asking the group, why not speak to some of the boutique
engine builders that operate throughout the country. One that comes to
mind is Bill Cunningham of Powermasters in Tulsa. he's a straight guy
that will tell you the real story and you won't have to waste time
trying to verify it. 918-299-0269



On Fri, 13 May 2005 23:22:31 -0700, MikePalmer >
wrote:

>I've been asked to do a follow on article on Porting & Polishing for The
>Aviation Consumer from a user perspective, as it pertains to certified
>engines. (The article I wrote in Light Planes Maintenance was from a
>mechanical perspective.) Would like some user feedback, good or bad.
>
>If you have a certified aircraft and had your cylinders Ported and Polished:
>
>- Why did you do it?
>- How much did it cost (per cylinder)?
>- Did the shop flow match or use a flow bench? ("Don't know" is okay
>answer.)
>- Did the shop do a fancy valve grind as part of the package?
>- If you flew the engine before the change, and if that's all that
>changed (i.e. no higher compression pistons) can you tell any difference
>in performance? Any WOW! factor?
>- How did climb, top speed, cruise speed and fuel burn change?
>- Any problems related to P&P? (any cylinder cracking in the head?)
>- If the shop worked the valves, did you have any problems with
>valves before and are you having any problems now?
>- What kind of paperwork in the logbook, if any, discusses the
>modification to the cylinders?
>- Was it worth it? Would you do it again?
>
>I would appreciate your input. Please respond to
>
>mppalmer at a o l . c o m
>
>Thanks,
>
>Mike Palmer <><