Harry Roussard:
Mike, you made an interesting point on the oil consumption of an IO-360. Indeed it has been my experience too that this particular engine uses 1 Quart per 4 hours ( after you have pumped 2 quarts overboard, i.e. down from 8 to 6), and that it is very happy doing so. Now, has anybody installed an oil filter system of some sort that allows you to fill her up to 8 quarts, and hold it there without spraying it all over the belly and at the same time provide some better oil filtering for my expensive engine?? I have been in discussions with the folks who have produced a compact oil filter system, but that just does not fit on the Sierra; and frankly I have no idea if that would somehow mitigate the 2 issues I am trying to take care off.
Editor:
In my opinion, the two subjects are unrelated (oil retention and oil filtration).
If you install Bill Sandman’s oil separator (from M20 Turbos in FL), exactly as required, you can keep the IO-360’s crankcase full (8 quarts) with no problems. There is much more on this subject in the BAC website; just search on “oil separator” (upper right search box). I have been considering trying to arrange a bulk separator purchase, for an “installation party” at a BAC fly-in. Owners would install their own units under A&P supervision, preferably supervised by the hosting FBO’s mechanic for a fee, who would also sign off the owners’ log entries. It would take a lot of planning, and once committed, participants would need to pay for the separators in advance. But if I could get six or more people signed up, I think I could get a nice BAC member discount for them on the purchase price (volume dealer discount).
If you use the standard Lycoming-style oil filter adapter, in conjunction with the new, half-inch shorter Champion oil filter (CH48110-1), you should have no trouble fitting an oil filter on the Sierra’s engine. You may have to re-route a defroster duct around the outside of the accessory case, rather than running it straight down the firewall, but that’s the only interference I recall (and it is no big deal).