X-Virus-Scanned: clean according to Sophos on Logan.com X-SpamCatcher-Score: 30 [X] Return-Path: Sender: To: lml@lancaironline.net Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:49:29 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from global.delionsden.com ([66.150.29.112] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 5.1.8) with ESMTPS id 1999545 for lml@lancaironline.net; Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:33:35 -0400 Received-SPF: none receiver=logan.com; client-ip=66.150.29.112; envelope-from=n103md@yahoo.com Received: from bmackey by global.delionsden.com with local (Exim 4.62) (envelope-from ) id 1HftyF-0007Ui-9b; Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:32:27 -0400 Received: from 69.12.132.145 ([69.12.132.145]) (SquirrelMail authenticated user bmackey) by www.bmackey.com with HTTP; Mon, 23 Apr 2007 01:32:27 -0700 (PDT) X-Original-Message-ID: <1251.69.12.132.145.1177317147.squirrel@www.bmackey.com> X-Original-Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 01:32:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: engine conversion? From: "bob mackey" X-Original-To: lml@lancaironline.net X-Original-Cc: troneill@charter.net User-Agent: SquirrelMail/1.4.8 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) Importance: Normal X-AntiAbuse: This header was added to track abuse, please include it with any abuse report X-AntiAbuse: Primary Hostname - global.delionsden.com X-AntiAbuse: Original Domain - lancaironline.net X-AntiAbuse: Originator/Caller UID/GID - [32015 2012] / [47 12] X-AntiAbuse: Sender Address Domain - yahoo.com X-Source: X-Source-Args: X-Source-Dir: Terrence asks: > Has anyone converted a 320 from fixed pitch to constant speed props? > If so, what's needed? short answer... If you have a hollow crank and the appropriate crankcase, the conversion is not so bad. There are two plugs inside the nose of the crank. I think the aft one is pierced for fixed pitch and needs to be replaced with a solid plug for c/s. That doesn't seem so difficult until you realize that there is an oil return tube in the way. It looks impossible, but the old pierced plug can be removed around the oil drain tube, and a new plug can be fitted the same way. Or so I've been told. The crankcase gets a plug on the right side removed and replaced with an oil line to the new prop governor, which I think goes on the lower right of the accessory case. Plus some plumbing, prop, spinner, etc. All that could be done with the engine still in the airframe. In a quick web search, I didn't find the Lycoming publication, but here is an ECI document that describes some of the changes: http://www.eci2fly.com/pdf/04-4.pdf I think there is also a description in one of Tony Bingelis' books. Here it is... page 40-42 of "On Engines" describes the c/s -> fixed conversion - which only requires piercing that aft seal, not replacing it. If you have a solid crank, or a case without the needed oil passages and governor mount, then the conversion starts with a complete engine rebuild. Or with the O-320-A1A I just happen to have in my shop. It's about 4 SMOH, except for a rusty cam and lifters. Won't take much to rebuild that engine and put it into a Lancair. I've been meaning to get it back together and sold.