Removing the engine for its bulk strip was, as expected, a big job. Unlike air cooled and a basic magneto and carb engine, this one has a lot more things hanging off it.  July 6th 2025 I made the decision, or rather the engine told me, it needed a proper doctor and serious surgery.

These shots are with things intact.

During removal I took around 200 photos. Just close ups of each item as I removed them.

Along with the photos I have 6 pages of notes. This will give me some kind of order for the reassembly as well as a few things to watch out for.

A lot of work went into making these things fit. Clearance to the cowl is around 1/4″ in places.

One thing I will be doing is replacing that Laminova unit with this longer one. I ‘think’ it will fit but the install will be a challenge. The brackets took me about a week last time to figure out and fabricate.

All over the hangar are boxes like this now full of engine parts.

It was easy to get off the plane once every thing was removed. Of course there were a few hidden things that needed undoing. Going back it I’ll have to have the engine not quite on the mount and add a few pipes and bits before seating it in place.

All out. Kind of sad after so few flying hours. Going back in might be a couple of weeks work instead of the four days to get it out.

I never thought I’d need this engine hoist I bought for the initial install…again.

This is the VW van I have borrowed, a perfect size for this job. It wasn’t available for a few weeks after engine removal but it didn’t matter as the engine guy was away in the USA.

This is in Cobram, Victoria loading it onto ‘the floor’ at the engine shop. It’s about 350km from my hangar. It was seven hours on the road that day. It would take around 1 hour by air if the engine was happily in the plane and I didn’t mind using a bit of fuel. Driving, compared to flying, may not be my favourite thing.

Now I wait….