Rear engine power loss during flight

[Tim Wang]

Hello Everyone, I live in the west coast area of Canada and own a 1967 337B model that just went through extensive rear engine work over the past year from a well respected (and expensive) shop, basically a "top end" done. Plane was stored outside when the shop had to wait for parts and work on other planes. Finally in February plane was ready for pick up. Pre-flight checks show fuel level okay and drains checked for water. Run up checks went okay. Went to do a test flight around the circuit a few times at high power setting to break in new cylinders and for 10 minutes everything was fine. Just about to leave circuit when I noticed rear engine rpm's dropping off slowly 2500 to 2000, no reaction to prop control, switching tanks, throttle adjustment. Return to airport and landed safely. When taxiing off runway and stopped noticed oil pressure was below green arc but not in the red and engine temperature higher than normal approximately 400 degrees, oil temp was okay just a little above front engine reading.
Inspection done no oil leaks seen and oil level just below 8 quarts(normal). Attempts to restart rear engine unsuccesful with front engine running and starting normally. Prop would move but not even crank over. Shut down completed after fuel starting to drip and possibly engine being flooded. Any ideas would be appreciated.