I have just fitted the engine to my 360 for the first time.  Very exciting, except that, when I lowered the engine hoist, the nose strut went straight to the bottom of its travel.  The strut was serviced with the latest mods, so it should be serviceable.  I know that I am meant to charge it with dry nitrogen, but I don't have any and it is Christmas.  My questions are:

 

1.  Would I harm the strut if I charge it one time with air, then replace it with nitrogen later?

2.  Alternatively, will I harm it if I leave it bottomed out for a week?

3.  Where do you get nitrogen?  I am building in my garage so do not have the usual airfield facilities.  I do have a gas control unit with the right gauges and valves, which a friend gave me and which should be suitable, but no gas bottle, and nowhere obvious to go and get one.

Jerry,

 

If your strut was serviced it should have held the charge of both fork fluid and nitrogen.  You should make sure that it contains the correct amount of fluid.  Air, while 80% nitrogen, has the detrimental capacity to hold moisture which can cause deterioration of the strut interior.  If you have an engine hoist supporting the engine and airframe (or put weight on the tail), you should be able to remove the strut and take it to a place where it could be filled - like an airport with a repair shop or your local EAA chapter.   I think 250 psi should be adequate and you can always fine tune the strut by carefully releasing some nitrogen when it is back in place on the engine mount.  Also, a local welding supplier may be able to sell you a bottle - someone like BOC Gases.