Yellow T-Craft at Oshkosh 2004
According to the logbook, my supposed 0 time SMOH engine had new Slick magnetos installed when it was overhauled. But by the time I got it out of its storage situation, the Slick mags had disappeared...replaced by two disgusting looking Eisemann magnetos. I guess someone needed some nice magnetos and figured noone would notice if the new Slicks were replaced by crusty old Eisemanns. And, in fact, I didn't notice until I got the engine home and took an inventory of what I had.
My first thought was that the ex-owner of the engine probably had two new Slick magnetos sitting on his kitchen table and would welcome a chance to send them to me. So I wrote a nice letter suggesting that there had been a minor mistake and I was had HIS old Eisemanns while he had MY Slicks. I offered to switch them back, I would even pay the freight both ways!
Well, that didn't work. So next I checked into getting the Eisemanns overhauled. I was able to find two places that still worked on Eisemann magnetos. They quoted around $300 for each to return the old dogs to airworthy condition. About $600 total. Add in a new ignition harness, and new plugs and the total came to almost $900. Seemed like a lota money to be running 60 year old electrical gear.
I got on the phone one day and started calling around. Mattituk quoted $950 for two new Slicks, new harness, and 8 shielded plugs. The only catch was that I'd have to trade in the old Eisemanns. OK Two weeks later, my old A-65 was sporting an entirely new ignition system.
Link to Engine Paint and Baffels, Cylinders Overhaul, Compression Test
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