Warbird Information Exchange

A friend is interested in buying a T-6 which has a high time engine on it.
Any of you have recommendations for an overhaul facility and pricing?
PM me if you need to.
Rich

_________________
Rich Palmer

Remember an Injured Youth
benstear.org
#64- Stay Strong and Keep the Faith

BOOM BOOM, ROUND ROUND, PROPELLER GO

Don't Be A Dilbert!

,

In my opinion Covington is the only way to go. Great people, and a really good engine, that even looks great when you get it. Fantastic customer support as well.

Yep, Covington!!! Just bought a bunch of 985 and 1340 rocker box gaskets and oil screen crush washers. Great people to work with.

_________________
The more I learn about aircraft, the more I realize I still have to learn.

Covington

JCW had a Aero 1340 on his T-6 but had it opened up by Tulsa and they had to do some work on it.
Our T-6s here all had Tulsa motors and N4269E has had it's blow at least twice and has been on and off at least 6 times.
#0101 has a canned S African 1340 that has ran great but they're a ways away.

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

My opinion:

Our BT's 1340 (yep, notta typo) was redone by Covington ~2-3 years ago. I could NOT be happier with the quality of work, and their communications with us regarding the work needed.

In my experience and observations, Covington *may* be slightly pricier (but not hugely so) than other shops, but they more than earn that because of the way they stand behind their work. I have it on good authority that an engine they o/h'd on a T-6 crapped out with 30 or so hours on it. They flew one of their guys out to it, and hung another exchange engine on the plane. I was led to believe that all this was "warranty service" and cost the owner not one penny.

Suffice to say that dealing with an outfit like Covington IS an investment that may not repay itself in a tangible way, but will add to the pilot's peace of mind. Also when it's time to sell the plane, a Covington o/h is a known quantity and I would think would help in resale value as well.

_________________
Regards,

Jase
www.b26marauder.com
"I'm having a BLAST!!" 2007 CAF Wing Staff Conference

RIP Gary Austin..always in our hearts

In my opinion a "Covington Engine" is the only way to go. Their customer service is second to none!

Dunno if it helps, but I'll go with the Covington engine before anyone else on the 1340 as well.

Gary

Rich,

I had Tulsa overhaul our T-6G engine in July 2000, I have flown it 700 hours since with no problems. I can heartily recommend Tulsa Aircraft Engines as I am a very satisfied customer. I run an Aero Engines carb though.

Covington runs an excellent facility and they are top notch people. Covington's advantage is they have a maintenance hangar on Okmulgee airport, adjacent to their overhaul shop where they can remove, overhaul and reinstall the engine for the customer. Essentially, the customer can fly in, leave the airplane, and have the engine removed, overhauled and reinstalled and returned to service "turn-key". One of the guys I fly with had this done several years ago on his SAAF T-6G, complete FWF overhaul, all accessories, prop, engine, reinstallation. The workmanship was outstanding. He has probably flown the airplane 500 or more hours with no problems.

Another friend of mine owned and operated an AT-6A for 25 years. Staunch Aero Engines customer (he was originally from LA). He raced the airplane at Reno for 10 years, then retired in from racing in 1994. His Aero Engine ran incredibly smooth (fool let me fly his airplane!). That engine failed at about 1000 hours when it swallowed a valve at an airshow in 2005 or thereabouts. However, this was after 10 years of racing (exceeding recommended RPM and MAP limits). Safe landing ensued. Engine was subsequently overhauled by Aero Engines and my friend was extremely satisfied with the result.

Last fall, I was involved with a T-6 that sat for several years, so we decided to pull the 600 hour Aero engine and have it torn down, inspected and test celled by Tulsa. The main bearing was cracked and one cylinder needed replacement. I suspect the engine was "abused" by prior operators. Engine was not overhauled, it was repaired and returned to service. I reinstalled it and test flew the airplane. Very smooth and strong engine. Owner very satisfied.

I have had the pleasure of meeting the people at Tulsa, Covington and Aero. All are excellent shops, with experienced staff that turn out quality products and stand behind their work. If I lived in LA, I'd use Aero. I live in Plano, TX (Dallas suburb) so I used Tulsa. If the owner is not mechanically inclined, I'd suggest Covington for their "turn-key" approach. Call or e-mail me if you need more information.

Carl Best
N9883C

What ever became of Younkin? I used to work on a few round motor ag planes & we always used Younkin with good results. If I were involved in that kind of work now, I'd go with Covington as well, but I never hear Younkin mentioned any more.

famvburg:

Good point, I forgot all about Younkin. Miller at Younkin does the engine for Steve Gustafson's AT6F of the AeroShell Team. Steve has used him for years and also used him for his ag engines befire he went turbine. Miller also did the engines on Jack Frost's racing T-6 "back in the day". Miller has an excellent reputation, I get the feeling he is a smaller shop with more of an ag customer base. Sorry I forgot all about him. Never met the man, but Steve Gustafson gives him high marks. Hershel Tracy at Dallas Aero Service here in Plano did a couple of engines for me years ago. He has since retired, and closed the business, but I still take care of a T-6G with an 1100 hour Dallas Aero OH running strong. I have heard of a company in Canada called Aero Recip that also overhauls the small Pratt's. Have not had any experience with them other than seeing a couple hanging on a locally based Beech 3NM.

Carl

I'm in Steve's neck of the woods & this is where my experience with Younkin engines comes in back in the day, seemed like everyone who wanted a darn good ag radial went thru Younkin. I kept up with 2 Air Tractors with his -1340s & they both went to 1200 - 1500 hours with little to no problem. I remember a story from a looonnnggg time ago a sprayer with one of his engines blew a jug, quite a time after the warranty had been out. Not complaining, just needing a replacement, the owner called Younkin needing to get one. Younkin's response was something like "My engines don't break, you'll have the replacement tomorrow morning." Like I said, waaayyy past any warranty, yet Younkin sent him a fresh cylinder assembly at no cost. I don't know how long Covinton's been around, but I've only heard of them for maybe 20 years. I've met Ron Hollis & a couple of their guys & seen their info & my bet is Covington is hard to beat. My past experiences with Younkin were always good, too.

No one mentioned pricing. Its about $30,000.00 for a P&W 985, so its either close to that or some more for a 1340.

I've heard a 1340 complete overhaul is now running $40-45 K

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

Tulsa Aircraft Engines

R-985 Pratt & Whitney Engine Price List http://www.tulsaaircraftengines.com/985Price/r985.htm

R-1340 Pratt & Whitney Engine Price List http://www.tulsaaircraftengines.com/1340Price/r1340.htm


Steve

_________________
"Any excuse is good enough if you're willing to use it!"