Description

An aircraft will usually perform best when using an engine that it was designed for. Putting a different engine on/in an aircraft, may add performance, however, it may not perform as it would if you kept the original engine on it.

As far a compressions go hot is best practice. However, cold will generally produce lower results. Therefore, if you are just looking for problems and you get acceptable results cold, you can call things good. If looking for long term trends, tests should always be done at similar temps and never cold.

Vic Syracuse from BaseLegAviation.com mentions checking engine compressions with a cold engine. A compression check cold or warm, should be in the acceptable range. This information can be found in Vic's book called "Maintenance Handbook For Van's RV Aircraft".

Here are some slides showing different types of engines.




Here's a radial engine



Another radial engine



Some cool aircraft engines

EAA Webinar on Jugs (Cylinders)

PvtLP, InstLP, ComLP, CFILP, CFIILP, MultiLP, MEILP, SeaplaneLP, MiscLP, EngineTechTip