A fun video

killbilly said:
So...since the radials aren't working as hard, do they generally have a longer lifespan and longer TBO times?
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Depends. Take the IO-540 Waco mentioned... recommended TBO is 2000 hours for most models (the 290 hp is 1400). The TBO on the R-985 is 1400 if memory serves and the R-1340 is 1200 hours.

killbilly said:
As far as engine management, do they have to be flown differently with regard to the settings the pilot employs?
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If you think that flying with more manifold pressure than RPM is bad... don't fly a radial! Takeoff in the B-18 was somewhere around 36" MP and 21-2200 RPM on the props. Cruise was anywhere from 25-28" and 18-1900 RPM. Treat it with a gentle throttle hand and you shouldn't have an issue with one.
 
Also - most of the antiques you see aren't really flown as much, or as hard, as a "normal" airplane. Many of the antiques will never see TBO because it would literally take years to get there - and things dry out in that time period. I guess I'm a believer that an engine will make it to TBO if it is flown regularly. A plane that flys less than a hundred hours per year may not make it to TBO. Wes could answer what the R-1340's would get when they were working in Ag. I would imagine that they probably got closer to TBO than many of the gingerly flown antiques that literally go 30 years to get 1200 hrs.
 
Ahh yes, radials.

radialengine.gif


That airplane at the end was SCREAMIN'!
 
WacoFan said:
Wes could answer what the R-1340's would get when they were working in Ag. I would imagine that they probably got closer to TBO than many of the gingerly flown antiques that literally go 30 years to get 1200 hrs.
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Actually t-cart would know more about engine life under hard ag flying conditions. I would probably take a stab and say if you changed an engine at TBO you would be looking at about every 3 years or so...

As far as them making TBO, I have flown behind a 1340 that was just a few hours short of TBO. Made awesome power, hardly leaked or used any oil, compressions were all in the 70s during the last check. Engine had been worked hard flying ag in the region before the company I worked for bought the airplane.

Now... an IO-540-C4B5 (250hp) will also make TBO (2000 hrs) with few problems. Running them the way we did, we were looking at a new engine every 3 or so years if we flew deep into the fall. However, one of the biggest complaints I have against those engines is it seemed like every single one had to have new cylinders at about 1000 hours. You never hear of having to replace every cylinder on a radial halfway to TBO.
 
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