Warbird Information Exchange

I have watched a few episodes of ICE pilots, and in some of them, they have had either broken pistons or cylinders. The one I just saw they found aluminum in the screen, replaced the offending cylinder, and I'm guessing just added oil and away they went. I would think fiinding any large amounts of metal like that they would be replacing the engine. Anyone here have experience doing this, and what aren't they showing on the show that is done? This was a quick fix in the field so not sure how much flushing out of things was done. And gee if that screen gets enough stuff in it, then the bypass valve pops open and the debris is then spread.

Generally speaking, aluminum is of minor concern if it is a small flake. If the pieces are chunks then it is more serious. If the pieces are steel as I would call a whisker, that's not too big of a problem. If the pieces of steel are as large as a finger nail clipping, then that's very bad. Non-ferous, small metal flakes in a small amount is normal.

As long as you can't read part numbers on the pieces, it should be OK.

things change if you find a part number on the swarf in the screen

So what is done? Just change the broken parts, and change the oil, clean the screen and go?

If the metal is the flakes as I mentioned you monitor the screens at intervals. If the pieces are steel and larger than a whisker it means an engine change, generally speaking.

And when you're cleaning the CUNO you go over every bit like a 49'er looking for 'dust'

The Inspector wrote:And when you're cleaning the CUNO you go over every bit like a 49'er looking for 'dust'

I guess if you find some nice yellow metal, your not going to make any $ with it. It's gona cost ya $.

Yeah, but you've got to dress like George Hayes or Roscoe Ates