Best way to keep engine 'good' while aircraft is not airworthy

James Hines

Filing Flight Plan
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Aug 21, 2019
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James
I have an airplane that is not airworthy at the moment and I am slowly working on having some major upgrades done on it. In the meantime I would like to keep the engine 'turning over' and would like any advice in the best way to do this without causing any damage.

I assume that so long as the engine is kept within flight spec (180F oil temp) and less than 400F on CHT then I will be doing it more good than harm running it for 10?? mins/week?

TIA!
 
Pickling using preservative oil requires running the oil in by warming the engine, usually by taking a short flight. If I had to pickle a grounded plane? I’d run it in as best I could on the ground followed by spray oiling the cylinders. Whether to use desiccant plugs and seal the exhaust depends on storage conditions. If you run it at 1500-1700 for 15 minutes or so the oil temp won’t come up to normal but it should come up enough to open the vernatherm. Covering the oil cooler will help with oil temps. Cylinder temps will remain cooler than most guys imagine. Or so it is with my airplane with cowl flaps open. Once preserved don’t move the prop.

I use Phillips Anti Rust with 7% Camguard for winter storage and yes, I’ve done what I described above. Do the best you can with what you’ve got.
 
I am slowly working on having some major upgrades done on it.
What type aircraft/engine? How long do you anticipate the upgrades to take? And where is the aircraft stored/parked while the upgrades take place?
 
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