In December 2015, flying back from Rusk over Joe Pool Lake at night, I was in the right seat in my friend Don's Comanche, the plane started shaking bad. We were at 2500' and had just gotten clearance into Arlington's airspace moments before. Don declared an emergency and the pattern was cleared. We were SO lucky to be able to turn final and land. This engine had about 250 hours SMOH from a prop strike/belly landing 10 years earlier. It had been inspected and rebuilt by one of the largest, "most reputable" shops in the USA. The crank, cam, 5 accessory gears and one jug had to be replaced on this O-540.
Prop strike - "dials zero" engines listed for sale did not get my consideration after this event.
Based on experiences of folks with years of good and bad experiences, and encouragement from some folks that seem to like me, decided to get a new engine.
Update - after about 50 hours including a trip to OSH, this O-540 was rebuilt, there was a Lycoming AD on the wrist pin bushings (the only Lycoming part that was used in this major overhaul). One was defective and had to be replaced.
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