I need to send off my crankcase to get it checked out. Who should I send it to? I've only talked to Divco but a google search reveals a few more places. Any recommendations?

We've used AJAX, not sure if they are still around. Another good one is nicksons machine in Santa Maria. Very nice guys.

We've sent several to Crankcase Services and have been happy with the work and customer service. http://www.crankcaseservices.com/

Thanks guys. I give those outfits a call. Any others?

I sent mine to Lycon. They farmed out the case overhaul. Lycon performed the cnc "O" ring groove where the case halves meet. Lycon balanced the crank and did the 505B service bulletin for the O-320. My cylinders where at 258 hours... they ported and flow matched and did the valves.

Whee

Nicksons seems to ring a bell...

Nickson Machine is a reliable shop.

I've had good luck with Central Cylinder in Omaha, Nebraska.

http://www.centralcylinder.com

i had some work done at Lycon and was very happy

We always used Divco, but I think Lycon would be really tough to beat!

Few months back I was talking to Lycon about engine work. They don't do case work, they send it out somewhere. I tried to get them to tell me where but understandably they wouldn't. I still might go through them especially if I buy a crank from them.

Divco may still be the premiere case overhauled, but it's worth some more research. Western Skyways failed to meet their promised schedule with me on a TSIO-520 in late 2014. Their excuse was that they had to send the case to Divco twice to get the quality and tolerances that they demanded. Divco didn't agree with their assessment, and didn't hurry the rework. I lost a whole summer of flying while I waited it out.

The take away is two part. They'll meet the Continental tolerances, but there are tighter tolerances and quality standards that they don't always meet. Also, they don't seem to have any sense of urgency.

This is all predicated on the information I heard from Western Skyways being complete and accurate.

Any shop should be able to provide a detailed list of their capabilities according to their FAA authorization. Not sure about terminology, but in Canada it's their Authorized Maintenance Organization, or AMO. A comparison of these capabilities should tell you how well they're really equipped.

whee wrote:Few months back I was talking to Lycon about engine work. They don't do case work, they send it out somewhere. I tried to get them to tell me where but understandably they wouldn't. I still might go through them especially if I buy a crank from them.

Last time I spoke with the guys from nicksons, they told me they machine the lycomings cases for the Lycon oring seal. I'm not sure if they do all of their cases exclusively but it wouldn't hurt to call and chat with them.

Whee, Have you seen this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Continental-IO- ... k0&vxp=mtr

Might be worth a little investigating to see if it is useful. Might be able to get it for $600.00, which you would probably burn through pretty quick during an overhaul.

Scolopax wrote:Whee, Have you seen this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Continental-IO- ... k0&vxp=mtr

Might be worth a little investigating to see if it is useful. Might be able to get it for $600.00, which you would probably burn through pretty quick during an overhaul.

Thanks Scolopax. I've seen it, it is a phase 1 case. The guy at Divco told me the phase 1 case is "junk." Your right about burning through $600; a overhaul from Divco is $800.

Called Nickson's, Divco, and CSI. All were friendly on the phone. Our case is on its way to CSI.