I
>   Any other comments regarding the use or non-use of a prop on initial
> startup would be much appreciated, as I am hoping to start mine soon, also.
> Thanks in advance for your replies and suggestions, and good luck, Rusty
!!!  
>  Paul Conner, Mobile, AL
>    ----- Original Message -----
>    From: Michael D. Callahan
>    To: Rotary motors in aircraft
>    Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2003 4:13 PM
>    Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: First run approaches

Not a problem. Make sure that the throttle butterfly goes all the way closed.
There is no need to worry about the propeller mass. It is safer without the
prop. My race engine has very little mass. The flywheel is just big enough to
mount a Tilton 5 1/5" clutch.

Have one hand on the ignition until you determine that you have oil pressure.
In fact I run up oil pressure before I start it up. Just take out the plugs,
and spin it with the starter, with the ignition disabled. Once you have oil
pressure, put the plugs in and fire it up. Then when the RPM stabilizes, (2,000
RPM or less) hold one hand on the water outlet. If it doesn't start heating up
soon after startup, you are not moving any water. Not unusual at all as the
water pump is high in the block. Getting all of the air out is a big problem.
It can be working OK one minute and stop pumping the next.

No thrill like the first start. Good luck.  

Lynn E. Hanover