Installation & Operation Manual
O-360 and IO-360 Series Engines
© March 2004 Superior Air Parts Inc. Chapter 6 • Normal Operating Procedures
8
F. Operation In Flight
Note: See airframe manufacturer’s instructions
for recommended power settings and limits.
Note: Move the controls slowly and smoothly.
Table 6-7 • Fuel Mixture Leaning General Rules
1. Improper fuel/air mixture during flight is a contributing factor to engine problems,
particularly during elevated take-off and climb power settings. The procedures
described in this manual provide proper fuel/air mixture when leaning Vantage
engines. It is therefore, recommended that operators of all Vantage engines utilize the
instructions in this publication any time the fuel/air mixture is adjusted during flight.
2. Manual leaning may be monitored by exhaust gas temperature indication, fuel flow
indication, and by observation of engine speed and/or airspeed. Regardless of the
instruments used in monitoring the mixture, the following general rules should be
observed by the operator of Superior Air Parts aircraft engines.
3. Never exceed the maximum red line cylinder head temperature limit of 500°F.
4. For maximum service life, cylinder head temperatures should be maintained below
430°F during high performance cruise operation and below 400°F for economy cruise
powers
5. Do not lean engines with automatically controlled fuel systems
6. On engines with manual mixture control, maintain mixture control in "Full Rich"
position for rated take-off, climb and maximum cruise powers (above approximately
80% power). In case of a take-off from a high elevation airport or during subsequent
climb, adjust mixture control only enough to obtain smooth operation - not for
economy.
7. Observe instruments for temperature rise. Rough operation due to over-rich fuel/air
mixture is most likely to be encountered in carbureted engines at altitudes above 5,000
feet.
8. Operate the engine at maximum power mixture for performance cruise power and at
best economy mixture for economy cruise power, unless otherwise specified in the
airplane owner's manual.
9. During descent it may be necessary to manually lean carbureted or fuel injected
engines to obtain smooth operation.
