enginehistory.org

rwahlgren · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 324

What did you use for tools to install the propeller etc.?

jwilcox · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 17:34 Post subject:

I've probably made 6 special tools during this project, was lucky to get a cylinder base wrench, intake tube nut wrench and pushrod seal wrench from friends. First thing I made was a prop nut socket, 8 sided and big. Also made a ring compressor, front drive socket and prop shaft wrench. The engine stand and a stand to hold the cylinders for honing should be counted also. If anyone has a use for a decent engine stand it's here for the rite price.
Work continues on the trailer and engine hookup. The instrument panel is small but started it today along with mounting the original unused TBM throttle quadrant from a friend who called and said I have something for you. Carb and intake are on and starting to hookup fuel and oil lines. Apparently the TBM oil tanks have a valve in the line to stop the oil draining into the engine while sitting. I could not live with putting a valve that was not automatic in the oil line so decided to put two valves one in the oil and one in the fuel that are ganged together so if the oil is off so is the fuel. Both the oil and fuel tanks have been pressure tested and are bolted in place.
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rwahlgren · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 324

I know it probably wouldn't look cool. But I think a fire wall of some sort is a good idea. Plus it will keep the oil off you too. Are you going to have a couple of CO2 extinguisher's on board?
You did an excellent job on those tools. The whole thing looks great.

jwilcox · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 18:04 Post subject: road trip

Thanks for your comments, we did not make provisions on the trailer for a CO2 but do plan on having one handy for runs.
Attended our first show Saturday, a small community in ME at the Houlton Airport. Houlton is within feet of the Canadian border and was I think built there on purpose. Before the US was involved in WW2 they could not supply arms to the allied side without being drug into the war. Airplanes would be flown into Houlton, parked and got mysteriously drug across the border and put to use. Houlton was also a POW camp later on. There is still one WW2 hangar and the original control tower on site, they are hoping it can be saved. Neat place with a history.
The trip was about 170 miles and the engine/trailer made it just fine, highway speeds were no problem, the suspension seems just a bit on the stiff side but fuel oil and batteries will add more weight and we'll see. Houlton is a small town but there were upwards of 2000 there with great interest in the engine, lots of questions and plenty of stories. Engine was not quite ready for a run, maybe next year.
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jwilcox · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 19:19 Post subject: update

Not a lot to report since our Houlton trip. I've been working on the multitude of small items that are there when you think you are almost done. Spent several hours trying to fab throttle and mixture cables, finally decided it was best to order and be done with it. Have most of the instrumentation sorted out and partly in place. Batteries have been hooked up and after pumping about 2.5 gallons of oil in the engine I spun it with the starter, front plugs out, for several revolutions, actually got oil pressure to register on the gauge, that's a good thing. Still aiming for a run before months end. Jerry

jwilcox · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 18:21 Post subject: update

Getting closer to running, pressurized the fuel system today and all seemed to work. The other day I cranked it over on the starter with the plugs out and checked for spark, also looked good. The last few days have been spent mainly on the propeller. It had leaked oil at the blade root after I primed the engine so something was wrong. All the parts were in correctly and all there but the seals were just not doing their thing. I did not remember from years ago that the blades have a Teflon strip around the shank for the seal to run on. It's there mostly to prevent wear of the blade shank by the seal and without it the shank is just too small to seal properly. A call to the prop shop informs me that the material ranges from .017 to .025 thick and is just epoxied on, I have a piece of similar material that is .027 so give it a try. I'm happy with the results the prop went together a bit harder and the blades turn a bit stiffer but feel good and I suspect the leaks are stopped. A little vacation time this week but hope to run within 10 days.
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jwilcox · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 19:34 Post subject: First Run

First run this evening, I would usually do a unofficial first start and then an official one just so I know what is about to happen but this time decided to just go with it and see. It did go very well, the engine started easily and ran. Tachometer that I had checked previously would not register and we have a minor oil leak on one front push rod tube but other than that it was a very successful evening. Even with the cut down prop it's producing a lot of cooling, a 5 min run didn't produce any high temps, we stopped it because of the oil leak no knowing where it was coming from. Trailer setup performed well also, feeling solid and secure. This video is on Youtube hope it will work for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PXek9VGEl0

tfey · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 104 Location: Arlington Hts., IL

Spectacular achievement, gorgeous engine, prop, mount, and trailer. Just fantastic.

jwilcox · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 08:53 Post subject:

Took the engine to our local private airstrip for a second run, first was with help but need to get comfortable running it alone also wanted to set up on grass and see how that went. Had a few snags from the first run that were fixed and needed to sort out how much oil it liked in the tank. Started fine again but I had added oil and now had too much in the tank so made a bit of a mess, now think I know where to run it. It was extremely hot here yesterday so I left it for the day and did a third run this morning and it was a good one with nothing significant, the exhaust pipes even dried up nicely on this run. I didn't know what to expect but run's of 5 min or even a bit longer do not yield temps that are even near maximum with oil still in the green and cyl head's not hot at all.
A couple of still shots at the strip.
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jwilcox · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 18:23 Post subject:

This is just another video of the first run taken with a hand held camera, a little different but the main thing is the sound seems better in this one. Turn it up and enjoy.
Jerry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFhl70kYtxg

jwilcox · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 08:33 Post subject: Stanley NS

jwilcox · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 12:44 Post subject:

Talk about a coincidence, the CBC TV crew were here on Sept 2nd to do an spot about the engine for the local nightly news. They did their usual interview and took lots of film to edit and fill the correct time. I knew of the Avenger connection to former President George H Bush but had no idea of the date. Bush was actually here at one time and signed the fuselage of one of FPLs TBMs. The CBC man did his homework and amazingly George Bush ditched his Avenger on Sept 2nd 1944. This became the lead in to the spot and it was very well done, what are the chances of us doing that interview 70 years later to the day?

rwahlgren · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 324

It runs good. You sure did a great job on everything. How many months did it take ?

jwilcox · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 18:53 Post subject:

Thanks for your comments, it's been about a 10 month project from pickup to first run. It's progressed quicker than expected because I had lots of help from friends and members of our local flying group. My son designed and help build the trailer and the timing on the whole project just went well. The icing on the cake was a near flawless first run, a few small snags rectified and it's been going great. I've run 8 or 9 times now and am still feeling out the oil level thing but not a real problem, just haven't figured out the proper level in the tank yet, at higher RPMs I get some oil out the vent, not a lot just misting enough to be annoying. I think the smaller tank is just overwhelmed with the volume of return oil and vent. Tomorrow I'm installing a slightly oversized separator in the vent line and changing the vent plumbing a bit. Hope this sorts it out. I've hauled it about 800 miles now with no problems at all.

jwilcox · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 15:56 Post subject: Oil separator

I've gone through about 25 gallons of avgas with the engine so far and all still seems fine. It sure sucks that little 10 gallon tank down at 2300 rpm. Oil likes to be at 12 - 14 gallons in the 20 gallon tank, a 7 or 8 min run will warm it up, 4 - 5 minutes it's just nice and warm to the touch. The 4 - 5 min run time seems to be about the best for me and the spectators. I've made and installed an oil separator in the vent line, a couple of runs and it is better as far as venting oil goes but need more time to verify. probably only doing a few more runs with it this fall and then will store it for the winter.
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