IO-360 assembly

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:41 am

So assembly begins with a roll of tape and a can of paint. While putting an engine stand together I found time to check the ring gap and match them to what will be their pistons and cylinders. The fit was out of the box correct. No grinding of the rings needed to be done. I've decided the case will be painted gold, it's a nice contrast to the ECI Midnight Blue the cylinders and heads are painted. At least that's what I think.

Beginnings

Under the enamel there is a coat of Zinc Chromate

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 5:54 am

Lookin' great, Jim!!!

CJ

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu May 11, 2006 11:42 am

Been a couple weeks...anything new Jim???

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Thu May 11, 2006 2:07 pm

I have a small update with photo's that I'll be putting up this weekend I hope. Somehow I've let myself get really busy with other things and haven't done much in the shop. This afternoon I'm going up to vans to pick up the finish kit and fire wall forward kit. Been doing a lot of driving these days and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better very soon.

Dan A · Post by **Dan A** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:34 pm

JIm, are you planning on going to Scappose on June 17? I and a friend who is building an 8 are planning on flying over for the day.
Dan n742DA

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:35 pm

I just might find my way to scappose on the 17th. I'm actually thinking of flying their on the 21st of this month.

728GD · Post by **728GD** » Fri May 12, 2006 3:26 pm

Jim,

The Color looks great!

I built up the Superior O-360 for my 6 and have just one tid-bit of advise for you. Just prior to closing the case, double check the stud located on the back of the case inside of the accessories case. It’s the one which you will curse while trying to torque it down. It’s in between the case and the drive gear on your cam. Lock tight it, safety it, just make sure it will not loosen up over time.

I had mine safety wired and it still backed out just a little which relieved the torque and allowed an oil leak just above in at the case seem. The castle nut was safetied just fine and never moved. Ended up having to pull the engine and have it opened up after only 127 hours! I don’t remember if the stud was in place from Superior or if I screwed up during installing it. Doesn’t much matter, it was still a pain in the #@@, and the pocket book!

Have fun building it. You’ll never work on an engine all day without getting your hands dirty again!!

Dale

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Sat May 13, 2006 1:20 am

Thank you for the heads up. I will pay close attention to that area.

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Wed May 31, 2006 1:03 am

I built up the Superior O-360 for my 6 and have just one tid-bit of advise for you. Just prior to closing the case, double check the stud located on the back of the case inside of the accessories case. It’s the one which you will curse while trying to torque it down. It’s in between the case and the drive gear on your cam. Lock tight it, safety it, just make sure it will not loosen up over time.

Oh damn! Now I know what you mean. What a lousy place to put a nut.

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:09 am

Anuda update fo ya'll

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 5:49 am

HEY!

That looks like an engine!

CJ

Post by **Spike** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 7:20 am

Excellent!!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 8:49 am

Nice work Jim! Are the cylinders grey or a blue color?

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:01 am

The color is grey blue. Your monitor must be very close color settings wise. I didn't have the plan when I did it and selected the gold for the case in the eny meany miny mo mode (more or less). But I like the color combo and am going to continue it to the rest of the plane.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:56 am

Cool! I plan to do the same thing by carrying the colors inside and out.

728GD · Post by **728GD** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:21 pm

Isn't that the worst place for access to a major nut? How did it feel to work on your engine and never get your hands dirty???? Ain't it a blast!! I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

The engine looks great! Make sure you pre-lube it real good. Spin it with the starter for about 5 to 10 seconds at a time with no plugs in. Get that oil pressure up slowly. When I had to open mine back up due to the loose stud, my cam has some coloration on the first two lobes which looked like they got hot on initial startup. I know I used a good amout of oil/stp mix and the recommended lube on the cams and followers when I assembled it.

Prior to the first start I pre-oiled it using the starter, but it spun for awhile before the oil pressure came up. Don't know if that did it or not. The engine shop told me I should have just kept bumping the starter for short periods of time and letting enough time between spinning the engine to let everything cool down. Then after I saw good oil pressure I should have been ok. Live and learn!!

Dale

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:04 pm

ECI has a write up on the whole engine spin up and initial start process. What I got from it was spin the engine up till it shows good pressure then spin it some more. I was actually thinking of injecting oil into the system under external pressure somehow then spinning it up before first start. Sorry to hear about your cam.

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:50 pm

When I started looking at that nut as something I needed to tighten next the answer came fairly easy. Small modification of the cylinder lug wrench and wallah problem solved.

I did put just a drop of blue Locktight with a wipe of the excess on the bolt but bringing it to torque was easy.

aparchment · Post by **aparchment** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:36 am

Watching you very closely Jim.

Have you had any modifications to parts thus far, or has the assembly been straightforward?

Antony

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:15 am

I was hoping someone would ask that question. The simple answer is no to mods. All the parts fit as they should and are well within tolerances. That said I sure wouldn't suggest this be the first ever engine you build. One of the big differences I've found is that every other engine I've rebuilt I've also taken apart. This engine comes to you as a basket case and pretty much you get to sort it out. The Lycoming manual isn't like the assembly drawings and text Van's gives us. If only I knew exactly which bolt goes with which nut. At times it has been, I have this many nuts and that many studs and they look like this and they must go there, and that was just the oil pump last week. The manual from Lycoming is at best schizophrenic. It is blatantly disorganized and very hard to retrieve information from even after you've read through it for eight millionth time. The information is handled in such a glossy way that really important information gets lost amongst the noise. Although the table of limits is fairly helpful. All in all I've had a real blast and I can't wait for it to be over.