Ok, all you Alaskan M4-220 and Stinson owners...

Who (the heck) works on your Franklin engines?

Turns out that my engine will need a teardown inspection and probably a new (to me) heavy case. I'm having a hard time finding anyone up here that will do the engine work. I'd really like to save the shipping to Oklahoma (or wherever) if possible. Any advice please advise...

The heavy case light case issue was on the 165 engine, as far as I know this was never an issue with the 220.

I think the heavy case was in production in about '47 well before the 220.

Deb's has moved from Oregon to TX and is now partnered with Susan Prawl the owner of Franklin Engines. She is very helpful, give her a call. Little red aero also does Franklin work. There are several others that are very good. You might want to go the Yahoo Stinson site and have a look around, there are lots of folks there with Franklin knowledge.

have you talked with ray atkins in cantwell? he had the frank in his 170 rebuilt a couple years ago. i know he was having some trouble finding parts then. i can't remember who did the work on it.

UP_M5 wrote:have you talked with ray atkins in cantwell? he had the frank in his 170 rebuilt a couple years ago. i know he was having some trouble finding parts then. i can't remember who did the work on it.

No, but I'll give him a call. Thanks!

Ahh.. sorry I just saw that you have a 165 not a 220, sorry. Try Franklin Engine Co. (Formerly A-1 Service) - Source of Franklin parts, including pistons, rings, bearings and overhaul gasket sets. Founded by the late George Heinley, now operated by Susan Prall. P.O. Box 514, Jewett, Tx.75846, (903) 626-5115 . The website is receiving a "major overhaul" and is temporarily not fully operational. E-mail is [email protected]

She has made a deal with and now has one of the better franklin mechanics at her site. She has and is expanding the number of parts for these motors that is now in production.

If your light cases have not cracked by now they most likely will not, however you can tell the case type, light or heavy by the casting numbers.

Here is the AD on the cases.

AD51-15-02 - Crankcase cracks
FRANKLIN:
Category - Engine Effective Date - Not Available Recurring - Yes
Supersedes - N/A Superseded by - N/A
FRANKLIN:
Applies to All Franklin 6A4-165-B3 Engines Serially Numbered 33046 and Below Incorporating Original Crankcase (Left Half No. 18305; Right Half No.18306). These Two Parts Form Crankcase Assembly, P/N 18553. The Number of Each Crankcase Half is Located on Each Casting Below the Number 1 and 6 Cylinder Location.
To be accomplished by July 15, 1951.
Effective on and after this date, all applicable crankcases with 500 hours of operation since new or 250 hours since last overhaul should be inspected as follows: Remove crankcase cover and visually inspect the webbing near the main journal area for cracks.
(1) Crankcases found to be free of cracks should be inspected at 250-hour intervals thereafter. In the event that the conditions described in (2) and (3) are detected, the provisions of (2) and (3) will apply.
(2) Crankcases found with (a) surface indications, hairline cracks, or small wall cracks and (b) cracks starting at main bearing stud hole on the opposite side from main bearing support, may be operated further at the option of the owner. Such crankcases should be inspected at 50-hour intervals thereafter to determine progress of cracks.
(3) Crankcases found fractured or with cracks that have progressed to the extent that they enter the main bearing supports (usually from back near (a) main bearing stud hole and (b) drilled oil hole) indicate that a complete break soon will occur. Such crankcases should be replaced with the reinforced crankcase assembly, P/N 18925, at which time no further inspection is required.
Crankcase assembly P/N 18925 may be identified by casting No. 18905 appearing below No. 1 cylinder location and casting No. 18906 appearing below No. 6 cylinder location.
(Franklin Service News No. 10 also covers this subject.)

I have some contacts that may have cases if you need them.

Dane

My 165 had the heavy case. It was doing good until a piece of metal bounced around inside of it for a couple dozen hours or so, thus the need for a new one.

Thanks for the help!

If anyone wants to read the whole story, you can find it here. Feel free to vote in the poll.

Lee's Tube and Fabric does a butt load of Franklin overhauls. He's on Chena Marina and his number is 479-4032. I've heard him discribed as Alaska's leading expert on Franklin engines. Granted, he's the one that told me that but every time I've been there he's got a franklin torn down. He also does a lot of work on stinson's.
If you use him BE SURE to get him to comit to a time frame. I think he does alright engine work but he's getting old and unless you keep a fire under him, a rebuild might take longer than expected.

Capt. Kirk wrote:....... I've heard him discribed as Alaska's leading expert on Franklin engines. Granted, he's the one that told me that but every time I've been there he's got a franklin torn down. .........

It's not just the same engine every time, is it?

once&futr_alaskaflyer,

i voted for the 220 frank.

it would be much cheaper to have your 165 overhauled, but i like to take these times as a chance to upgrade.

i guess i'm just a sucker for hot-rod parts

i have flown behind the 220 in a stinson and was very impressed with its power.


ps- my engine is apart for an OH right now too. and i splurged on a brand new set of flow ported cylinders for an extra 30 hp. there should be a horsepower junkies anonymous forum.........

Capt. Kirk wrote:Lee's Tube and Fabric does a butt load of Franklin overhauls. He's on Chena Marina and his number is 479-4032. I've heard him discribed as Alaska's leading expert on Franklin engines. Granted, he's the one that told me that but every time I've been there he's got a franklin torn down. He also does a lot of work on stinson's.
If you use him BE SURE to get him to comit to a time frame. I think he does alright engine work but he's getting old and unless you keep a fire under him, a rebuild might take longer than expected.

Unfortunately I got a thumbs down on him from a bunch of folks. He was the only Franklin contact up here I was aware of.

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:

Capt. Kirk wrote:Lee's Tube and Fabric does a butt load of Franklin overhauls. He's on Chena Marina and his number is 479-4032. I've heard him discribed as Alaska's leading expert on Franklin engines. Granted, he's the one that told me that but every time I've been there he's got a franklin torn down. He also does a lot of work on stinson's.
If you use him BE SURE to get him to comit to a time frame. I think he does alright engine work but he's getting old and unless you keep a fire under him, a rebuild might take longer than expected.

Unfortunately I got a thumbs down on him from a bunch of folks. He was the only Franklin contact up here I was aware of.

I'm not surprised!

At which part, that they are the only Franklin contact,

or

That he had gotten thumbs down from others?

If anyone is interested in how a Franklin engine looks on (or off) a Cessna 170...

Yesterday I finally got around to tearing the engine off the plane and shipping it out. Frustrating delays until the new year.

http://picasaweb.google.com/r.t.alaskaf ... 9701908130

My mechanic and I are going to take the opportunity to do some cleanup work on the firewall, baffling and engine mount while the engine is in Washington.