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                           Glasair-List Digest Archive
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                     Total Messages Posted Sat 06/24/06: 1
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Today's Message Index:
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     1. 07:11 AM - Re: Lycoming Thunderbolt Engines  (Craymondw@aol.com)
 
 
 
________________________________  Message 1  _____________________________________


Time: 07:11:14 AM PST US
From: Craymondw@aol.com
Subject: Re: Glasair-List: Lycoming Thunderbolt Engines

I wish I could remember her name, but I worked in Bridgeport Connecticut with 
a lady that was a former production line supervisor for Lycoming. When I 
asked her about the quality of the engines she just laughed and shook her head.
I 
won't go into the details of what she said. I also knew an engineer and sales 
rep for Lycoming and I don't think I should jeopardize his job by telling you 
releasing his name.  The engineer informed me that the best Lycoming engines 
were produced prior to 1967 when Lycoming manufactured all their own parts. He

went on to say that the parts are now jobbed out to the lowest bidder. 
Although Lycoming produces maybe 5,000 engines a year, the engine has hardly changed

since the 1930s. And they manufacture large quantities of replacement parts. I

would have to see what Lycoming pays for product liability on a balance sheet 
before I would believe any of those claims. Many large firms find self 
insuring to be far far cheaper than using insurance companies. A smooth as silk

brand new 220 HP four cylinder Franklin engine sells for a fraction of a Lycoming

engine.  I would also like to mention that all of my planes have had Lycoming 
engines and I found them reliable. What I feel is if Lycoming isn't able to 
compete with the prices of new and better engines coming on the market, they 
will lose market share and have to close their doors. This begs the question, if

Lycoming owns your engine and insurance on previous engines doubled the cost, 
why aren't these engines selling for half the price?