Sad Demise of An Orphan engine

[blueldr]

An old friend from my camping days at Johnson Creek called me today seeking help for a friend.
Seems like this friend of his has a Cessna 170, (Model Unknown), with a 220 HP, PZL Franklin Engine.
Unfortunately, the Franklin had an internal needle bearing failure and one of the results is the loss of the camshaft due to circulation of the bearing needles through the accessory section gears.
BIG PROBLEM! Does any member have any idea at all where a guy might go looking for a Franklin Camshaft?
I guess thats one of the gambles of operating with an orphan engine. I just thought one of our very few members utilizing that engine just might have a clue on a place to look.
Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

Thanks

Dick

[GAHorn]

My first contact would be George Leamy:
George H. Leamy
3270 Glenn Springs Rd
Spartanburg, SC 29302
(864) 582-2803

If he can't help you...then the other traps I'd run would be the following (reportedly) Franklin engine specialists:


Li'L Red Aero, Inc.
Don Maxfield
FAA CRS MS2R016L
R.R. 1, Box 120
Municipal Airport
Kearney, Nebraska 68847
(308) 234-1635

Debs Aircraft
Jerry Debs
1348 Brookside Blvd.
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
(541) 474-2732

Charlie Hart (FORMERLY OF FRANKLIN AIR COOLED MOTORS)
Winfield Aviation
9074 Henry Clay
Clay, New York 13040 (315) 652-4405

Carl Baker Co.
Rick Hoffman
62980 Boyd Acres Road,
Unit D-2
Bend, Oregon 97701
(541) 617-0788

Coastal Aviation Industries
Connecticut
(203) 748-7303

Charles Sullivan
C&S Engineering
P.O. Box 1112
Bolingbrook, IL 60439
Voice (630) 759-5775
FAX (630) 722-6330

Leggat Aviation Inc.
Toronto Bottonville Airport
Markham, Ontario, CANADA <
L3P3J9
(905) 477-7900

These last two contacts are with the "NEW" Franklin Engine Co. and I do not have any
particular info other than the ones in Jewitt occasionally appear at Reklaw with starters
and gaskets and not much else.

George & Irene Heinley
P.O. Box 482 .
Country Place Estates
Jewett, Texas 75846
(903) 626-5122

New Aviation, Inc.
11901 Swearingen Lane,
Suite 54
Austin, TX. 78758
voice (512) 837-0593
fax (512) 837-7753
cellphone (512) 496-1527
Brian K. Michalk
<michalk@awpi.com>
http://www.newaviation.com

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Add TIC170A member Bruce Known.

Classic Aire Inc.
276 Old Dallas Rd. S. W.
Cartersville, GA 30120
770.386.7435

Haven't seen or talked to Bruce in years but still have his card.

[futr_alaskaflyer]

I got my last two cylinders from Bruce.

But for most parts I go to:

Franklin Engine Company
300 Private Road 5881A
Jewett, TX 75846-5601

Phone: (903) 626-5210
Fax: (903) 626-6658
Toll Free: (866) 731-1037
susan@franklinparts.com

Also, Univair carries many Franklin parts. they are showing three different types of Franklin camshafts in inventory though you would need the part number to determine whether any of those are the correct one. They are likely to be yellow-tagged serviceable parts.

Finally, he should post on the Franklin engine list serve through Yahoo groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/franklinengines/

[blueldr]

To my surprise, I just learned that the "Orphan Engine" owner is a member of the TIC170A. All I can say is that I hope he has a computer!

[Darrell]

I'm the owner of the Cessna 170 which the article titled "Sad Demise of An Orphan Engine" was written about. I would like to express my appreciation to all those who responded and sent in phone numbers and places to look for parts. I have followed up on all possible leads, including sending an e-mail to the current aircraft engine company in Poland (office@franklin-engines.com). However, there has been no response from them. I have not been able to find a legal and/or usable cam here in the States. Unless we find something by January 2, 2011, my airplane partner and I are going to go ahead with the Del-Aire 180 h.p. Lycoming conversion, looking for a used or rebuilt engine, prop, spinner, governor, etc.

Thanks again for all the help.

Darrell Radford

radford@tcsn.net

[blueldr]

I've been led to understand that the whole aircraft engine division of PZL in Poland was sold to Pratt and Whitney since they were making a good many of Pratts parts. At this stage of the game, Pratt does not appear to be the least bit interested in piston engines, thus it seems to be the end of the Franklin line unless they sell that department to someone. Rumors!

[blueldr]

Darrell,

Did you check on the Franklin parts source listed in todays "Trademart"?