I own 1/6 share of a Piper PA-28-236 Dakota with a newly overhauled engine, but without an engine analyzer. The other co-owners don't feel they need such a thing, but I am concerned about the health of the engine. The POH gives settings for 85% power, and a corresponding fuel flow for 50°F rich of peak, inviting to a setting that is running CHT to an absolute maximum. So this is my question to you Dakota pilots with an engine analyzer:
Does the engine run hot in cruise? Where do you put the EGT to keep CHT's down? What are the CHT's you get?
BTW, our Dakota runs fairly smoothly when a little lean of peak, which I believe is unusual for a carburetted engine. Any experience with that, any of you?