Keith
Regarding the postings, as you stated yes we did have an initial conversation after I returned from Top Gun and yes during that one and only conversation you did offer a diagnose of the problem (prior to seeing the engine) as excessive heat from one of the three conditions: running too lean, insufficient cooling, or finally insufficient oil. I believe Frank Tiano posted in the scale forum we had been sharing his properly mixed fuel along with many crews without issue--That eliminates the fuel. We discussed the cooling and you can see from the pictures in the magazines the engine had ample cooling --as many would attest. That leaves running too lean. We went in detail about the rpm 6800 using a 27x10 Mejzlik prop--tach reading--during our engine run after uncrating the aircraft upon its arrival in Florida. In discussions with others that prop and rpm combination is within expected and normal tolerances. Plus during the practice flight the day before competition the profile I was flying was a low power demand routine--i.e. not requiring high power/full throttle. These factors led to my considering that this specific engine had an anomaly.

I did in fact ask for a refund or repair under warranty during our call, but after your phone diagnosis, I was willing to wait until you inspected the engine. At no time did we have anything but a civil and business-like conversation. I sent the engine to BME with a letter asking to be contacted upon your inspection. After several weeks I had not heard back and after several attempts to contact you by phone I did follow with an e-mail request to be contacted. In turn you responded with the e-mails that Mike included in his posting. Don't believe that you or I had spoken directly though I would have appreciated that opportunity.

RJ