I forwarded your previous message to a friend of mine who has a Beech
Sierra.
The below copy is her response.
Also, I have many friends with 177RGs all of which have a Lycoming IO360
in them and this is the first I have heard of major oil consumption/use.
I had my o360, and o540 overhauled, both of which I broke in at 75% or
more power and the temps dropped within the first hour and am getting
8-14 hrs. per quart oil usage.
duane



Marvin Kaye wrote:
>
> Posted for "Matt Hapgood" <matt.hapgood@alumni.duke.edu>:
>
>   John,
>
>   The shop has told me the same thing - this engine (IO-360) is notorious for
>   break-in problems.
>
>   That's why I am going to remove it from the plane and let them break it in
>   on their test stand.
>
>   Matt
>
>
> --
>
> Lindy Whiteway wrote:
> >
> > Luckily, we have never had any oil consumption
> > problems in my Sierra, either before or after we put
> > on the new cylinders a few months ago.  With about 25
> > hours on the new cylinders, we burn about a quart
> > every six hours or so, running Aeroshell 80 straight
> > mineral oil, and the oil stays pretty clean.  We'll be
> > switching to AD oil at the 50 hour mark, per the
> > Lycoming overhaul manual.
> >
> > I've done a lot of reading about top and major
> > overhaul procedures.  Light Plane Maintenance has
> > published several books on the subject as well as many
> > articles.  Kas Thomas was the principal author and
> > formerly published a newsletter called TBO Advisor.
> > As I recall, the critical part is the run-in and
> > break-in of the new or overhauled parts.  Running the
> > engine pretty hard (75% power) at varying RPM, then
> > changing power settings, some 100% power runs such as
> > on takeoff and climb, etc.  Babying the engine during
> > this time seems to cause most of the problems with
> > ring seating (or not, as in John's case).  He's
> > probably correct about the problem being blow-by, not
> > the ignition.  The only solution that I'm aware of is
> > to pull the cylinders, inspect, re-hone (critical
> > step), and install new rings, then break in again.
> > How do the plugs look?  Is timing set properly?  Oil,
> > EGT, and CHTs normal?
> >