Yep 32, that's probably pretty true of the inline Chevy six. Anyway, this was just a thought that popped into my head while going through the toolbox. After all you don’t really need a dwell meter, timing light or even a feeler gauge to tune up one of these basic engines, you can do it by eye and ear. I kept many a jeep running that way while in the service.
But it’s a misconception about the Lycoming light aircraft engines. After spending 5000 man hours building the plane and then flying and maintaining it for a few years, I soon found out that the light aircraft engines are just like any other engine, in fact they are pretty basic and use rather antiquated technology, more like a tractor engine than anything else. Even the mag looks like it belongs on an old Farmall, The newer auto engines are decades ahead of the light aircraft engine.
The Leak Down test can show up several other problems that a simple compression tests can’t. Such as, leaks into the coolant system, worn ring lands, and of course ring/cylinder ware and it can differentiate between intake or exhaust valve leakage.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
