I had installed a used Continental A-65 on my recently finished
project. In the process of getting ready for my airworthiness
inspection with the FAA we did a compression test and found one cylinder
to be low(35/80). The engine ran great but did have a lot of blow-by.
Oil pressure was appx 25 at idle and mid 30's above 1200 rpm. I pulled
the weak cylinder and found that the #1 rod bearing has excessive wear.
I mean like you can do the push pull thing and feel slop. The engine
came with log books, was 1500 SMOH, but I was hoping to get through
phase 1 flight testing, since the logbook compressions were all good.
Basically I understand now the engine needs a total rebuild.
So here is my question.. I am no an A&P, but have lots of experience
rebuilding engines of both air cooled and water cooled all in
automobiles. I'm confident I can do this myself. I already had started
overhauling parts prior to finding this engine and have a rebuilt case,
crank, and cam. I've been told that to call my engine a Continental
A-65 and leave the data plate on, that all this work would need to be
signed off by an A&P. I have a certified Sensenich wood prop installed
and was hoping for a 25 hr Phase 1. All the paperwork is already sent
in the the FAA and the inspection is scheduled for Dec 4. So if I do
this work myself , do I call it a Ben Charvet 65 HP? Bet that would
drive the insurance folks nuts.
I also have one other option. I have my trusty old Baby Ace that is in
bad need of a restoration, but has a 350 SMOH A-75 with a McCaulley
metal prop (would help my W&B). I was really hoping to keep flying the
Baby Ace right up till my first flight in the Piet, but I could just
swap that engine on, change the paperwork with the FAA, and rebuild the
A-65 at my convenience while restoring the Baby Ace at some later date.
I was really hoping to sell the Baby Ace, but its not worth more than
its engine/prop anyway.
This is without a doubt the longest post I've ever made, but this is a
tough choice.
My main question is: If a non-certified mechanic rebuilds a certified
engine, can you legally leave the data plate on? Is it still a
Continental A-65 legally as far as the FAA/Insurance companies are
concerned?
Thanks
Ben Charvet
