Engine Cracks!

#1 01-29-06, 10:49 AM

Engine Cracks!

I have a T337G while installing a JPI 760 EDM a crack was discovered in both engines! (ouch!) The cracks are located just above the fuel controller on both. They are as long as 5 inches and seeping oil. (TSIO-360)

Has anyone experienced this? What is the cause of this? The engine builders are telling me this most likely they can’t be repaired. I might post pictures later if anyone would like to see. BTW, we were chasing oil leaks! Guess we found them!

Any feed back would be great!

Thanks
Cj

Ernie Martin · #2 01-29-06, 11:38 AM

My prior Skymaster, a 1969 337D, had a cracked engine block which had been repaired, apparently successfully, with epoxy. If I remember correctly, the crack was like 2 or 3 inches below the flange where the prop shaft exits. I don't know if the repair was legal (I couldn't find it in the log books), but it worked.

Ernie

hharney · #3 01-29-06, 01:09 PM

Are they Heavy Cases? I had a crack like you are describing and found out the case was an original light case. Had to install a HD case.

#4 01-29-06, 01:40 PM

LIGHT CASES, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAVY CASES DO THE SAME THING!

WebMaster · #5 01-29-06, 02:32 PM

Had a crack on my rear engine.
Since it was light case, only feasible repair was a new REMAN engine. I was told that if it is a light case, it can be welded. However, you need to address the crank AD at the time. Also, if they are going to weld it, you might as well do an overhaul, because they have to take the entire engine apart.

Crack extended from near the prop flange, fuel controller, forward (rear engine) to near one of the cylinder bases.

FRED-E · #6 01-29-06, 04:12 PM

You might try:
http://www.divcoinc.com
They are located in Tulsa and I understand he is a real nice guy.
Fred N358

Skymaster337B · #7 01-30-06, 01:59 PM

How can you tell if the engines have heavy cases or thin cases, visually?

#8 01-30-06, 02:10 PM

Had the exact same 5" crack on the rear engine. I had a high time engine (light case) and thus opted for a new engine. However, you definitely want to check with Divco depending upon the age and health of the rest of your engine. If everything else looks and runs good with low times, it may be pennies to the dollar to replace the case rather than the whole engine. However, if you haven't dealt with it already, you'll have to comply with the VAR Crank AD, which adds another $3,600 in parts to the equation.

Keven
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#9 01-30-06, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skymaster337B
How can you tell if the engines have heavy cases or thin cases, visually?

IO360C is thin, IO360CB is heavy

DF3AV

kevin · #10 01-30-06, 08:52 PM

I'm sorry, but I think you might check that. I had C engines with heavy cases in my '65 337. The case is stamped with (something) if it is a heavy case, but I can't recall what it is.

Kevin

#11 01-31-06, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kevin
I'm sorry, but I think you might check that. I had C engines with heavy cases in my '65 337. The case is stamped with (something) if it is a heavy case, but I can't recall what it is.

Kevin

Hi Kevin,
did the change on the rear engine because of a crack one year ago. Old engine had already 1800h.
We were told better to take CB because of the strengthened case (abt. $1.000,- increase in cost as i remember). So we did.
Took the engine directly from TCM with new cylinders.
Until now everything is dry (after 150h) and hopefully this will stay.

Was really nice to see that the engines can go far beyond tbo without mechanical problems on the moving parts. The cracks are well known already from the cessna 172 rocket (same engine) and the change in the housing is belived to overcome this engineering related lack.

Saw already a post where crack in the heavy case were reported. Was this a CB or C ?

regards
DF3AV