Well, I consider my engines "better than new" for various reasons. For one, I have 50 years experience building and modifying engines of all types, and hand build them with a dedicated attention to detail that is far better than mass produced engines made by often underpaid and inexperienced assembly line workers throwing together engines to meet a price point.
Further, any and all replacement parts such as bearings, seals, etc. are always top quality pieces that in many if not all cases are better than OEM parts, which, once again are supplied to meet a price point and expedience on the assembly line, not necessarily performance and longevity. One such example is I always use rings made by Frank Bowman or his successor, which are well known to be of very high quality; providing quick break in and nearly always a performance boost. I hand fit these to the optimum gap, not just "slap it together", as is done on the assembly lines. All of the engine tolerances in my engines are checked. As a necessity in mass production, tolerances are designed so that tolerance "stack up" does not occur to a point that would be problematic. That is why often times two identical engines run differently, with one performing better than the other. The better performing engine, just by "luck of the draw" had it's various tolerances hit closer to actual design specs.
In many cases, I install a slightly larger (Walbro brand only), dual needle adjustment carb, completely rebuilt, and I ALWAYS include a custom modified muffler for more power. I convert nearly all my engines to CDI electronic ignition, which provides numerous advantages, to include easier starting, more power, longer plug life, etc.
Then I pressure check each engine, and finally test run it. During test running the engine gets tuned, checked for overall good operation, and is run through various heat cycles to get a good start going on the break in process. Then FINALLY, I carefully box it up, and ship it, insured, ready to be installed and run on your airplane and needing only a final fine tune to match your particular prop, fuel and oil, temp and altitude, etc.
On my full custom engines, (of which I only make to sell occasionally), I also optimize the port timings, the compression ratios, install a larger carb, etc., etc.....
About my engines:
www.rcuniverse.com/forum/engine-conversions-92/10863516-av8tor1977.html
(If this doesn't work as a link when you click on it, copy and paste it into your browser window. Excellent postings that I am proud of, just as I am proud of every engine I do.)
Ok? 😋
AV8TOR
Last edited by av8tor1977; 05-10-2018 at 03:43 PM.