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Ask Paul: What’s the proper procedure to cycle a prop?

Posted on November 13th, 2011 by

Q: I’m curious about the procedure for cycling a constant speed propeller on run up. Three times seems to be a tradition, but I can’t find anything that supports this as a good habit. Please share: Continue Reading →

Troubleshooting a rough-running engine

Posted on October 2nd, 2011 by

Q: My Lycoming TIO-540 engine on my Cessna T206H is running very rough at max power setting. I recently replaced one dud cylinder due to very low compression. The ring gaps were wide and exhaust valve guide and seat were... Continue Reading →

Ask Paul: Should you lean for a sea-level takeoff?

Posted on September 11th, 2011 by

Q: At or around sea level in a non-turbo airplane, like a 152 or a 172, should you lean your air fuel mixture for takeoff? Continue Reading →

Buyer beware

Posted on August 3rd, 2011 by

Please help me! Some of you who know me are probably saying I’ve needed help for years, but this is something even more serious than helping some old guy who’s been in this industry for a long time. I’m asking... Continue Reading →

Ask Paul: What is proper timing for my engine?

Posted on June 14th, 2011 by

Q: I am an Italian homebuilder of a Van’s RV-3. I read on the Internet that you are an expert of Lycoming and I want to impose on your kindness. I am ready to make the timing on my Lycoming... Continue Reading →

Ask Paul: Should I worry about my #2 cylinder?

Posted on May 23rd, 2011 by

Q: I had my Lycoming 0-360-A1A rebuilt at Victor Aviation in 2001 — new crank, new cam, new pistons with new Millennium cylinders. The engine, which now has about 400 hours on it, has digital cylinder head gauge probes in... Continue Reading →

Ask Paul: Solving a mystery

Posted on April 26th, 2011 by

Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming. Q: Here is my mystery: I have a Geronimo Apache equipped with 0-360-A1As. The left engine is about 1,200 SMOH, the right engine is about 700 SMOH.... Continue Reading →

Tips to install an oil cooler

Posted on March 24th, 2011 by

Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming. Q: We have a Citabria 7ECA with a Lycoming O-235-C1 engine. We live in East Texas, where summers are very long and very hot. Even with an... Continue Reading →

Ask Paul: What’s up with my oil temperature?

Posted on February 9th, 2011 by

Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming. Q: I’ve been having trouble with my Lycoming O-360-AIA engine for some time. The oil temperature is running about 200° on a cool day. The head temperature... Continue Reading →

Ask Paul: Why are holes larger than dowel pins?

Posted on January 25th, 2011 by

Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming. Q: I recently saw your article about Narrow Deck vs. Wide Deck and believe you are just the person to ask this question. A fellow AMT has... Continue Reading →