There is nothing wrong with using the very best pieces in the rotary. I have suffered the loss of one set of oil scraper "O" rings since 1980, and lost a weekend over it (and an engine rebuild) We had a piece of plastic end up over the oil cooler and the driver didn't notice the needle on the oil temp pointing at the little picture of the sun on the dial. No problem during the race. The next weekend we towed it to Indy and fired it up to take off of the trailer and it smoked like crazy. Nothing to do but go home. I could have rebuilt it there but I took no parts with me. They are so reliable you know.

 

The "O" rings were in 1" long pieces. All of them. I have no Idea how far past incinerate the oil temp went too, so no help there. This failure had no effect on engine power, but oil consumption would have been substantial and in an aircraft probably would have gone unnoticed, and all of the oil could be lost. The "O" ring substitution story is a long one, and seems to have ended with the pieces going to the "O" ring people for sizing last in the story, instead of first, as should have been the case. There is a tendency to speculate rather than go to the horses mouth on the first go around.

 

Lynn E. Hanover

 

 

 

Kelly,
Its good to feel like you're adding something of value to the discussion once in a while. ;-)  I'm not sure I could have gotten into the air without the Fly Rotary list.  Its been an invaluable resource to me for many years now.  As for the TES O-rings... I'm sold on them and wouldn't hesitate to use them again if the need arises.

Mark S.
30.1 hrs