Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #42572
From: Phil White <philwhite9@aol.com>
Subject: How loose or tight should an engine be?
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:45:21 -0500
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
I finished rebuilding my 20B some weeks ago, using Bruce's video as a guide, and since then I've read someone's post stating that he was able to turn over his engine with a bare hand on the eccentric shaft.

I put in Tracy's new apex seals.  As I assembled the engine, it was easy to turn with one rotor in and one side plate, much stiffer with 2 plates and 2 rotors.  Once I had all 3 rotors in and 4 side plates bolted together and torqued, I could only turn the engine over using a 15" wrench on the acces end nut, and applying maybe 75 ft lbs of force.  I used the recommended lubes on bearings and housings.

   Is this normal?  Or did I mess up some part of the assembly process that leads to so much drag with only rotors and shaft being turned (no accessories installed yet)?

   Any suggestions would be welcome (but I hope I don't have to disassemble the whole thing again!)

Phil 20B to install in an RV-10 in IL
Subscribe (FEED) Subscribe (DIGEST) Subscribe (INDEX) Unsubscribe Mail to Listmaster