8-16-04

Finished the spinner, and it didn’t come out too bad.  Installed the prop, and measured 4 inches of clearance in level attitude. 

Ran the engine for the first time with the C drive.  This was a good news, bad news sort of event.  First, I had an oil leak from the oil feed to the redrive.  This oiled the canopy, horz stab, and the company van that the plane was tied too.  That was easy enough to fix.

Next leak was coolant, and it was coming from the EWP.  More specifically, it was a pinhole leak at one of the fittings that I attached to the pump.  The stock fittings were plastic, and were made for radiator hose.  Since I’m using AN adapters, I made my own fittings.  Unfortunately, I didn’t machine the o-ring grooves like Todd told me to, but instead, I prosealed them in place.  The good news part one is that the leak decided to happen on the ground, and part 2 is that I originally made the hose in such a way that I could bypass the EWP if necessary.  The EWP is now removed, and I’m not sure if I’ll put it back.  This is a project for another day, since I still have the normal mechanical pump. 

Once the leaks were done, I could actually get to tuning.  The engine tuned better than ever, and the injectors are perfectly matched.  I can turn off the primaries and not even notice that I did it.  This was one of my main complaints, and probably had a lot to do with how well the tuning went.  I did have to turn up the injector flow rate, since I turned down the fuel pressure, but it’s probably just about at the default setting now, since I had to turn it down before. 

Both controllers are running very well, and throttle response is awesome.  I can slam the throttle from idle, to full, and back, and it doesn’t miss a beat.  Idle could be better, but I really haven’t taken the time to try to improve it.  I’m still idling at about 1600, which is smooth, and a much lower prop rpm now that I have the C drive. 

An odd note, the canopy is a lot harder to close now, since the prop wash is now trying to blow it open, rather than close. 

As well as the engine runs, it only turns 5650 rpm static.  I could swear that Tracy said his turned 6200, but it’s hard to believe anything could be that far wrong with my setup now.  It was mighty hot. 

A friend was watching the final runs, and said that he just couldn’t believe how strong is sounded.  He (very excitedly) described how much the Van was shaking behind the plane.

Temps are up.  I used to be able to run full throttle on the ground quite a bit before I got to 200 degrees on oil or water.  Today, 200 came in far less time.  I never saw anything over about 215 for water, and 210 or so for oil.  Clearly, there’s more power being generated. 

The EM-2 said I was generating 101 % power, and rated it at 206 HP, and 19 gph of fuel flow.  I think this probably need some calibration work, since it’s unlikely I was really making that much power. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t get done, and the cowl back on until about 8:30, so no flight today.  Maybe tomorrow.