Posted for "F. Barry Knotts" <bknotts@buckeye-express.com>:
Lancairian engine persons...I have a question. (Several, actually.)
I acquired a 7 year old, never run, Continental TSIO-550 that had been
prepared by Lancair with the complete firewall forward fastbuild treatment.
Baffles and hoses were already on the engine and the engine was on the mount.
I have not yet mounted the engine on the airframe or run the engine.
Since the engine is not on the firewall, I took the LML experts seriously
about modifying the old cooler box to allow additional cooling for the
backside of #2 cylinder. It took a while to get up the courage to tear into
the baffling to get that box out. I discovered in the process that I needed
to "mobilize" the left intercooler. To do that, I had to remove the air hoses
from the hot side of the intercooler (nearest the back of the engine) in order
to liberate the stubborn aluminum box. When I removed the hoses, I discovered
an interesting mark on the body of the sonic venturi. It seems to be an arrow
pointing opposite direction of the airflow. At least the direction I expect
air to flow. (See attached photo.) I checked the opposite side sonic venturi
and there is no such mark, but it appears that the venturi is mounted so as to
be oriented the same way as the one on the left.
I checked the Continental TSIO-550 maintenance manual and it seems to be
silent on all these "appurtenances."
Questions: (Be gentle, I'm a aircraft engine rookie.)
1. Is the pictured part actually the sonic venturi?
2. Can it be installed backwards? That is, does it matter which way the
wind blows? (My apologies to Bob Dylan.)
3. Is there normally a directional marker on these parts?
4. Is this just a scratch from an errant screw driver used when assembling
the engine and therefore has nothing to do with the proper orientation of the
venturi? (I swear, was nowhere near that hose attachment point with MY
screwdriver when I took the hose off.)
Thanks for your help, in advance.
Barry Knotts, LIV-P, Conti TSIO-550
Perrysburg, Ohio
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