Sometimes it’s the simple things that cause you the most trouble.
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Ask Paul: A picture tells the story
Question for Paul McBride, the General Aviation News Lycoming engines expert: I have a 1960 Piper Comanche. Can you identify the casting number on top of the engine?
Been there, done that
The engine you choose will definitely impact the design of the cowling, engine baffling, etc., which is why your best source of engine choice and installation will be from “someone who has been there and done that.”
Ask Paul: What should I do with an engine that hasn’t been flown in years?
Question for Paul McBride, the General Aviation News engines expert: I bought an airplane in the summer of 2022 and have not been able to pick it up yet due to a lot of work and a rusty pilot situation. I plan on picking up the aircraft, which has been sitting outside in New Hampshire, in May.
Ask Paul: Is it OK to fly my Mooney lean of peak?
Question for Paul McBride, the General Aviation News engines expert: What is your professional opinion about flying a Mooney 20J with a Lycoming IO-360 engine lean of peak if the temperatures are within guideline perimeters?”
Ask Paul: Does it make sense to add turbo to my Cherokee 6?
Even though this is a reasonable idea, it just is not a smart move financially.
Ask Paul: What can I do about my engine’s rough idle?
Question for Paul McBride, the General Aviation News engines expert: We have a Lycoming IO-360 A1A fuel-injected four-cylinder engine on a 1966 Mooney M20E that has a slightly rough idle. The engine only has about 400 hours on it.
Unleaded avgas: As I see it
Switching GA to unleaded fuel is something that has been going on for the better part of 50 years, if not longer. I vividly remember being pounded on at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for many, many years as to why Lycoming wouldn’t approve the use of “car gas” in its engines.
Ask Paul: Why did my tach fail?
Our engines expert turns to another expert for help in answering a reader’s question.