I have a '74 maule m5 with the 220 hp Franklin and I am looking for an experienced Franklin mechanic on the west coast, preferably close to Northern California as I live near Napa. I am in contact with Susan Prall but she has no contacts right now near me. Does anyone have any leads? Thanks.

Tims air, WN13 near Seattle has been maintaining my Franklin powered Maule for many years. He is very knowledgable on both Franklin Engines & Maule aircraft. His email is [email protected]
He is out of the shop this week but will be back in next. I'm sure there are other folks here that would also recommend Tim as an excellent A&P!
PM me if you need a ph #

Vaughans

Thanks Vaughans
You are right, he does come recommended by others (I just got one). I will travel that far if no one turns up down here that is also well qualified.

Are any Stinson owners on here that have Franklin knowledgeable pet mechanics?

maules.com wrote:Are any Stinson owners on here that have Franklin knowledgeable pet mechanics?

You should ask for Seabee owners, too - originally Franklin powered (with a reversible prop!)

JLB wrote:I have a '74 maule m5 with the 220 hp Franklin and I am looking for an experienced Franklin mechanic on the west coast, preferably close to Northern California as I live near Napa. I am in contact with Susan Prall but she has no contacts right now near me. Does anyone have any leads? Thanks.

You have left out a few things here. Are you looking for somebody to do an annual or do you need an engine overhaul or soothing between?

I have gotten to know the mechanics in the shop in Bandon, Oregon. They are as good as I have ever met. I am confident they could take care of you.for just about anything. They encourage owner assist. I will be seeing them next week and will talk to them. I have a small place 1.5 miles from the airport that you could stay at.

PM me if you want more info.

Tim

Yes CapnMike, the sea bee owners have a challenging engine environment. They have to maintain them well, so they do know how to do it.

Tim, what a generous offer, thank you! I left my post a little vague because I am unsure of what to do next. The engine sat for 26 years in eastern Washington with 187 hrs tt. I see ever so slight spalling on the lifters and some small discoloration etc. on the cam. Thinking now that rebuilding may just be the way to go, but would really appreciate a professional evaluation by some one capable and willing to work on it including a rebuild, since I think it will end up needing it.

I'm going to have Terry Helickson (sp?) in the PDX area overhaul a cylinder on my 150 Franklin shortly. I also have a 220 that will need to be rebuilt, but he's not sure if he has all the tools required to do a 220 (a gear puller for the flywheel chives to mind). I can get his number for you tomorrow when I get into work.

JLB
Is that the engine from over at Deer park airport? If it is have you dialed the crank yet?

Vaughans

JLB wrote:..... The engine sat for 26 years in eastern Washington with 187 hrs tt. I see ever so slight spalling on the lifters and some small discoloration etc. on the cam. Thinking now that rebuilding may just be the way to go, .....

The peek-a-boo cover on the top of the Franklin case is a pretty nice feature for checking out the innards without having to tear off a cylinder like on a Cont or Lyc.
I don't like the sound of that spalling -- I know a couple people who have had Lycoming engines fail in flight due to the cam and /or followers coming apart. These engines almost always had sat for extended periods of time, the cam corroded and when they worn down below the hardened part things went to hell in a big hurry..

Terry Hellickson: 503-357-8969

1:1 Scale, I will contact Terry Helickson, thank you.

Vaughans, yes it is from Deer Park airport, sat for 26 years. I have not dialed the crank, it sounds like you know something I need to know. You could pm me if you like.

Hotrod 150, I agree that the Franklin design is pretty interesting and the top cover let's you see a lot. The cam is under the crank which keeps it more in the oil, pulled the pan to get even a better look at it.

JLB wrote:I have a '74 maule m5 with the 220 hp Franklin and I am looking for an experienced Franklin mechanic on the west coast, preferably close to Northern California as I live near Napa. I am in contact with Susan Prall but she has no contacts right now near me. Does anyone have any leads? Thanks.

We have Joe Lenord expert Franklin A&P and Stinson 108-3 owner with 180 HP. He's down at ranch half the week fooling with airplanes. Joe's done 5-6 Franklins in past 2 years from 150-220 HP. Complete overhauls . We do have considerable Franklin ,Contintal, and LYC. Parts . some props and lots of other stuff. Look on Google maps for AZ50 - north end of airport and you'll see lots of airplanes and equipment and hangers.

Thanks Bill, I will check that out as well.

I did end up driving to Tim's Aircraft with the motor and feel a tremendous sense of relief, since I can tell that he is the right man for the job. Whether you are discussing cams, lifters, flotos, modern oil deficiencies, fuel pumps, proper props or really anything Franklin related, Tim has his head in the game (and generally all things aviation). I appreciate all the responses and will post some photos when I get my head in the game and figure that out.

Also my engine was not the one that Vaughans was referring to.