So Cal engine shop

RIlls

RIlls

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RIlls
Looking for input on a couple engine overhaul shops in southern California: (1) Pacific Continental Engines and/or (2) Corona Aircraft Engines.

Thanks in advance.
 
We had Corona on our short list about a year ago when we were getting ready to OH our O-320 based on recommendations. We could not get the shop to return our calls or emails for a quote.

We ended up doing an exchange with Western Skyways. It took them four months from order to delivery and we sent our core back on their pre-paid pallet a week after pulling the motor.
 
I used Corona in 2022 and am very happy with the rebuild the did on my IO 360. It took longer than expected (Covid) so they comped me a port and polish. The result was outstanding.
 
Penn Yan is about as far away from SoCal as you can get, but they did a great job on my O-360 5 years ago. They will arrange shipping. Not all overhauls are equal, so make sure you compare and understand what you're getting...
 
I have heard nothing but good for Ly-Con.

lycon.com

Services

- Overhaul - your engine (customer supplied engine core) - Overhaul - Exchange (built from our core - exchanged for yours) - Overhaul - Outright (purchase core from us) - Sudden Stop / Prop Strike...
lycon.com
 
The 4 big shops in California are Tim's engines of Long Beach, Victor in Palo Alto, Ly-con in Visalia and Corona Engines in Corona.

Tim's will quote slighter higher than some shops because he replaces EVERY nut and bolt and threaded stud. Most shops only replace what is required. Tim's will send you a spread of all the stuff he promises.

I'd have an engine overhauled at any of these shops.
 
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Thank you all for your input. Very helpful!!
 
My A&P swears by Pacific Continental. Unfortunately, they are not authorized to build the XP470, so I had it built at Ly-Con.
 
NordicDave said:
The 4 big shops in California are Tim's engines of Long Beach, Victor in Palo Alto, Ly-con in Visalia and Corona Engines in Corona.

Tim's will quote slighter higher than some shops because he replaces EVERY nut and bolt and threaded stud. Most shops only replace what is required. Tim's will send you a spread of all the stuff he promises.

I'd have an engine overhauled at any of these shops.
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I talked to Tim about 18 months ago about building me an XP470. He said he could do the work, but also that he was contemplating retirement and could not guarantee he would be around to support the engine.
 
Neither ?

I had an engine rebuilt at Pacific Continental ….more than once. Their costly screw up became a cascade of screw ups and…I just wouldn’t. Never again.

I had a number of engines rebuilt by Ben at Corona. His work is adequate - many other shops do far better. He too, like Tim, keeps talking about closing down and moving. Be careful with his pricing. His responsiveness leaves a lot to be desired, and his time frames even more so. Corona is the reason I need to get no later than delivery date guarantees from vendors.

Lycon,penn yan, Zephyr, Western are all good shops.

Tim’s in Long Beach charges quite a bit more but he has been selling his shop for a while…and the shop gets some of his family when sold. So if you buy an engine from Tim, how will the warranty work if and when he sells?

P.s. warranties and the differences from each shop are essential to review.
 
Talked to Tim three years ago and he said he wasn't taking on any new work... is he still up and running?

I have been asking around about this too and I have heard good things about Pacific Continental... but then again, like me, most of those giving review are a stones through away from their location.

Lycon in Visalia has gotten great reviews, but they are 8 to 10 months out.

The is/was a place in San Diego that I was told to avoid like the plague.. did a Google search and couldn't find them.. Looks like to problem solved itself.

Thanks for the heads up on Western... I'm taking a look at theme for when the time comes.
 
Ventucky Red said:
The is/was a place in San Diego that I was told to avoid like the plague.. did a Google search and couldn't find them.. Looks like to problem solved itself.
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Possibly Oceanside, just north of San Diego.

www.pilotsofamerica.com

Anyone use “One Stop Aviation” for Engine Overhaul?

Looking for feedback regarding One Stop Aviation in Oceanside, Ca for engine overhauls. They are an authorized P.Ponk facility, guessing someone here may have experience with them. http://www.onestopaviation.com/ Thanks!
www.pilotsofamerica.com www.pilotsofamerica.com

Apparently they have more recently changed the business name to Aviation Airparts.
 
When our flying club bought a new-to-us plane it came with an engine with 0SMO from one stop in oceanside. 5 years later we are at 2600 hours and have not had any problems with the engine. We have not ever dealt with them but are satisfied with the engine. Just another data point.
 
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