Boats been sitting for 8-9 years -- who to have look at it

[JoeH]

I haven't been on this site for years...... I have an O-540 that's been sitting for at least 8 years. Was running pretty good back then. I had to leave for work and put it in a friends barn. Now it's time to get it back going again. Who would you recommend to have go thru it. I'm near Ruskin. I seem to remember Tom Jeffords was good with AC engines.. is he still around ? Anyone else ? Thanks !

[Deano]

Given the same circumstance, that's who I'd take mine to.

Tom Jeffords . 863-956-3030

[fhp6]

Check the fuel, put fresh oil in it. Turn it over with the mags off, let the oil circulate and then see if she will start. You may be good to go.

[scottyroll]

Tom specializes in continental A/C engines but he did a fine job building my car motor boat rigging and will definitely point you in the right direction if he doesn't feel like he's the best for the task.

[Gary S]

Has this motor just sat there and not been run in all that time? Worst thing you can do to a Lycoming, you might want to pull some cylinders and check cam and cam followers. Would be surprised if they didn't have rust on them.

[JoeH]

Yep-- It's been sitting, covered up for that length of time..... I'll give Tom a call after the holidays.

[John Fenner]

Pull the top plugs, spin it over till oil pressure builds, reinstall plugs and fire it up, now it will run but keep in mind that the cam and lifters are in the top of the case and condensation can build up in that area causing rust on the face of the lifters and eventually cause spalling of the lifters thus wiping the cam lobes out, I would suggest an inspection be done unless the barn it was in was moderately climate stable and it didn't see big temperature swings.