R-3350 problems?

[Sabremech]

I'm relatively new to the 3350 as we have had our Skyraider over a year now. I find it hard to believe the 3350 has a 3500 Hour TBO. I'm going to do some book research as I question that number.
David
WHF Maint

[RareBear]

The airlines in the 1950's routinely ran 3350's at 3000 hours TBO. Larry Kraus, a WIXER on this site, was quoted in an article on the R-3350 as saying the 3350's in Butler's DC-7's run anywhere from 1800 to 2200 hours TBO.

The application of a 3500 hour TBO across the board does seem like quite a stretch.

The type of use these engines are put to differs dramatically from a single-engine combat fighter, but the 3350's on the Furies shouldn't be eating themselves so soon.

Walt

[b29driver]

Engines that are run at less than METO power or higher, and are run for long, constant periods of time can surprise you. I flew KC-97's in the TxANG. I have flown R4360's that exceeded 1500 hours and were removed while still functioning perfectly. 1200 hours in those days were not uncommon. We did have jets on the wing too and didn't flog the recips until their tongues ran out like a party whistle.

I can also remember flying 12.5 between Bermuda and Madrid. My 25th birthday was in Madrid. There was,... I seem to recall a place with red lights and women, no, maybe that was just a dream.

[thundergull pilot]

For those of you interested here is an article on the turbo compounded Wright r-3350 Carl
http://www.enginehistory.org/Wright/Kuh ... unds.shtml

[D Fisher]

http://www.sandersaircraft.com/restorat ... -r2800.asp

[engguy]

And what dash were the 2800's that only lasted 200 hours? What year/years?

[SeptRepair]

The 3350-24W's on the Mars have a TBO of 800 hours. Lucky to get them that far. They are the early designed 3350's and have a problem with the front crankshaft spacer ring. I suspect the on and off again of power in the fire fighting role is not doing the engine any favor and in a sense is pounding the forward ring out. Once that ring is pounded away the front crankshaft walks for and aft till eventually the thing lets go. In the later model's the ring was built differently and the problem is not present or if it is I have never heard of it.

[engguy]

A few years ago I knew who did the mars engines, not sure about now. I sure do know who should be doing them.

[oz rb fan]

weren't the mars re-engined with r4360's ?

[engguy]

weren't the mars re-engined with r4360's ?

It has 4 R-3350 engines.

http://www.martinmars.com/pdf/martin_mars_brochure.pdf

[thundergull pilot]

weren't the mars re-engined with r4360's ?

The r-4360's were replaced by Wright r-3350's

[SeptRepair]

Only one of the aircraft ever had 4360's on it and it was scrapped many years ago. Precision Engines are currently overhauling the engines for the Mars and I have yet to see any of their engines make 100 hours. The prior company (AC cyl and turbine) used to rebuild them but when Mel's age started creeping up on him and he was no longer around the quality of the rebuilds were something to be desired. Engguy I'm interested on hearing who you think should be rebuilding the engines.

[engguy]

Only one of the aircraft ever had 4360's on it and it was scrapped many years ago. Precision Engines are currently overhauling the engines for the Mars and I have yet to see any of their engines make 100 hours. The prior company (AC cyl and turbine) used to rebuild them but when Mel's age started creeping up on him and he was no longer around the quality of the rebuilds were something to be desired. Engguy I'm interested on hearing who you think should be rebuilding the engines.

That is who I heard was doing them some years back. Mel's age,,,, no longer around,,, goes to show you employees don't always care as much. I think Anderson should be given a try.

And 100 hours that figures out to about $1000 per hour per engine, and thats being conservative.