When we think something can not happen,
it most certainly will.
I was getting ready today starting to
shake-down test runs with the flyable single rotor engine. On any newly
assembled engine I do an oilpressure check in cranking the engine with no spark
plugs until the oil pressure gauge starts showing pressure. This time it did
not show any. First thought was, the oil pump needs priming. Never before did I
have to prime an oil pump. Consequently, the priming did not help. Next, taking
off the oil pan. Everything looking good. Then I took off the oil line from the
pump outlet fitting and squirted oil into the pump, o s..t, the oil came right
out of the pump intake.
O.k. , accessory housing off and oil pump
out. The picture is showing how the oil pump came out. Rest of the story.
Found the missing pump rotor in a parts
box, and put the engine back together.
Now I am scared of myself.
Sometimes this is what we need not to get
too confident in ourselves.