So I am in process of purchasing a 78 Turbo Arrow III. This aircraft has relatively low TT and SMOH around 700 or so. The catch is that the engine is nearly 30 years old (factory new when installed).
At last annual over a year ago all compressions were north of 76. Compressions during inspection this week were between 75-78. Borescope of the cylinders looked good (much to the A&P surprise). I have no illusions that the cylinders on this TSIO 360 will make it to TBO. The price of the plane was discounted to reflect this. My question is what about the bottom end? The plane maybe saw 20 hrs/year of use in the past few years. I believe there was a period of minimal to no use around 10 years ago.
How reasonable is it to expect the bottom end to make it to TBO?
At last annual over a year ago all compressions were north of 76. Compressions during inspection this week were between 75-78. Borescope of the cylinders looked good (much to the A&P surprise). I have no illusions that the cylinders on this TSIO 360 will make it to TBO. The price of the plane was discounted to reflect this. My question is what about the bottom end? The plane maybe saw 20 hrs/year of use in the past few years. I believe there was a period of minimal to no use around 10 years ago.
How reasonable is it to expect the bottom end to make it to TBO?
