flyrotary@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

The modified aftermarket part my work but I would prefer a "standardized" solution be adopted. In my opinion the gearbox is one item in our unique aircraft that should not be modified. The more hours we accumulate as a group the faster any weak links will surface and be corrected. Three items have been identified within the last two years.

1. Pin size increase. I think Tracy has made a change for new gearboxes. Since I'm running a supercharger I will be sending mine back for an upgrade.

2. Harder rivets in the drive plate. I think Tracy has made the change for new gearboxes. I'll replace mine if /when I see any wear. I painted the area white so any smoke trail (or oil) is easy to see.

3. Flex plate. I'm sure Tracy will identify a solution for existing and new gearbox customers. Until that happens I'll keep inspecting mine every few hours. If the change is a custom RWS part and a few hundred dollars that's ok.

It also appears these items are showing up first / only on higher horsepower installations. Boosted and 20b's. I think we have a good gearbox and as a group we're identifying and correcting the weak areas and making our installations more reliable. In the near term Dave may need a one-off for Reno. Buying, individually machining and balancing an aftermarket part, that will likely be discontinued within a few years doesn't sound like a longterm repeatable solution. Safety in numbers?

Bobby

( no Hushpower II mufflers or overly tight water pump belts either)

Sent from my iPad

On Aug 6, 2011, at 1:03 AM, "Chad Robinson" <crobinson@medialantern.com> wrote:

Cost, availability?

On Aug 6, 2011 12:44 AM, "David Leonard" <wdleonard@gmail.com> wrote:
> And here is a good view showing the thickness.
>
> On Fri, Aug 5, 2011 at 9:41 PM, David Leonard <wdleonard@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Well, I'd say that pretty well seals the fate of using flex plates. You
>> guys all owe me a beer for finding the issue :-)
>>
>> Here are some pictures of the machined flywheel that Kelly turned us on to
>> (ACT prolite). Weight is now under 9 lbs. I think it is a good balance
>> between weight and beefyness. Someone with better access to a CNC could
>> make the mods quick and easy, and the mods to that start/addapter plate are
>> pretty easy.
>>
>> Here is the front side.
>>
>> --
>> David Leonard
>>
>> Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
>> http://N4VY.RotaryRoster.net
>> http://RotaryRoster.net
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 5, 2011 at 6:08 PM, Charlie England <ceengland@bellsouth.net>wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I was moving stuff around in the hangar today& picked up my salvage yard
>>> flex
>>> plate. Found two 3/4" cracks: down from 9 o'clock& up from 3 o'clock
>>> holes in
>>> the pic. Plate has never flown AFAIK.
>>>
>>> Charlie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Homepage: http://www.flyrotary.com/
>>> Archive and UnSub:
>>> http://mail.lancaironline.net:81/lists/flyrotary/List.html
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> David Leonard
>
> Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
> http://N4VY.RotaryRoster.net
> http://RotaryRoster.net