I am based out of Kelso, WA KKLS and am looking to find someone relatively local with R985 power center/ lower end experience. Not looking for a shop but an individual.

Thanks,
Brian Fleming
360-957-2083

Call Kenmore Air in Bothell. I realize you want a mechanic, not a shop, but those guys will know most of the round engine guys in the state, I'm betting.

MTV

Grangeville Idaho - Anderson Airmotive

They do the work for some of the Reno Race Planes - At least for Holbrook Maslan when he was still racing.

I don't know how close this is to ya - but - been there - been impressed.

Amazing just to see the the vast amount intricate detail that goes into those banks of four and think it was all done on a drawing/drafting board.

Chris

Anything specifically in the bottom end you need help with?

I want to learn how to build up my own power centers while there are guys still around to sponge information off of.

Gordon Holbrook, who has been building R985 for Kenmore for 41 years, is retiring in September. Give him a call, maybe he'll have some tools for sale or maybe you could entice home to come down for a little while. Just tell him there's a good golf course nearby!

Yah, Gordon learned from one of the best (Walt)!! I've built a bunch of bottom ends for them as well as many other Pratts and Curtis Wrights (along with a handfull of others..Jake, Kinner, KenRoyce, Salmson, etc), and my best advice for you would be to let someone that's going to be doing it on a regular basis do it. There's lots of little things that make big differences, and they're easy to forget/overlook. The tooling for the small Pratts can be pretty pricey, and building it yourself is fine if you have the resources, but again the price/learning curve somewhat makes it beyond reach for most. I loved doing power sections!!! Very demanding and rewarding, but I wouldn't feel too confident to do another right now without a bunch of review, and talking to a few others that are "current".
That being said, Gordon would be a great resource, and is a heck of a good guy.
John