Kevin,
Don’t do the 50 gal drum instead of the radiator. I did this
and fried my engine! The pump isn’t strong enough to pull the water up from
the drum. You need to ensure the coolant system is completely filled, no air
pockets, and that the pump is primed.
I’ll follow up with a full report of my engine exploits after it’s
all done. But right now, Bruce is rebuilding for me, then we are going to
install it in my plane and do the runups. He is recording a lot of the
rebuild/install, and will make a new video that covers a lot of the little
lessons learned that will hopefully keep the next guy from making some of these
costly mistakes.
Cheers,
Chris
From: Rotary motors in
aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of kevin lane
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 11:59 PM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] first start check list
I am just about
ready to try my first attempt at starting my renesis. for my first phase,
at least, I've chosen to use a side draft Weber carb and DIS ignition system,
which Lynn designed using an MSD ign box for the primaries and 2 Chrysler elec
ign's for the trailing plugs. I thought I'd ask before introducing
gasoline to my "creation" of any steps or checks I need to do
first. the engine and mount are bolted to a mockup plywood firewall held
up with steel legs. the psru is installed, as well as the radiators [oil
& water]. exhaust is just headers for now [pointing down]. when
I crank it over all the plugs are firing [especially the MSD powered ones,
which fire multiple times below 1000rpm]. the carb is brand new, with
whatever jets they come with. haven't designed a leaning capability yet.
1. I need to add a
oil pressure gauge right away. I'll need water temp after it gets running
for any length of time. put mineral oil in for initial break-in [turrentine
engine, never run]
2. oh yeah, get it
out of the basement! guess airport best for making lots of noise
4. got the 6k rpm
limiter plugged in to the MSD
6. fabricate some
remote throttle cable? or do you just stand there and manipulate it by hand?
guess I fine tune
timing after it is running with a strobe light? I've marked the firing
points on the flexwheel. the pick-ups can be adjusted some if needed.
I assume I don't
need a prop or club at this point, right?
thought a
small gravity fed fuel tank would work at first.
should I buy new
plugs? the used ones that came with the engine seem to spark
OK.
could I run this
early on with the water pump attached to say a 50 gallon tank of cold water
rather than trying to get it radiator cooled?
kevin [it
won't be loud, will it? ☺]