RV Engine Clinic at Mattituck-Vern's take on it
RV Engine Clinic at Mattituck -Vern Darley (
[email protected])
Twenty mostly RV'ers gathered this weekend at the world-famous Mattituck Engine Overhaul facility on Long Island. Engine guru Mahlon Russell hosted the free TMX 360 sessions.
A TMX -360 engine was assembled. The group was shown techniques Mattituck has learned in over a sixty years of working on aircraft engines. The group contained a number of professional A&Ps/AI's. All commented on how much they had learned and how worthwhile the day was.
As the engine was assembled, staff showed us various 'gotchas' that could make even the assembly of a new engine from brand new parts produce numerous life-shortening errors. We were shown various assembly problems that are common place, especially with gear assemblies, pushrods, lifter clearances, and bearing installs.
Mahlon was a great host and provided breakfast and lunch for the group. Afterwards, a number of us were given a private tour of the Matttituck antique auto museum on site at the airport. Of course, the tour of the Mattituck engine shops was most impressive. It culminated with running a TMX 360 in the fully-instrumented test stand.
Later a number of us went to a seaside restaurant for what was the best session of the day: learning about aircraft engines as we sat around a fine meal feasting on Mahlon and John's combined 55 years aircraft engine experience.
Mahlon plans on hosting another free seminar in March. I urge you to attend if you have any questions about engines. Mahlon's phone number is 800 624-6680 ext 305.
In a few days I hope to have pix uploaded on
www.FalconRV.com
Vern Darley