----- Original Message -----

From: John Slade

To: Rotary motors in aircraft

Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 6:39 PM

Subject: [FlyRotary] N96PM makes noise once again

It's been quiet here lately. Time to liven things up a bit.

I'm happy to report that my engine is once again making noise. Well, it was making noise before, but now it's good noise.

I just started the rebuilt engine and taxied around on the ramp in the dark for 5 minutes or so. It seems to be running very well. I definitely need to do a bit of tuning, but it's very smooth and responsive.

 

I'm not sure if I mentioned this but there were a number of things wrong, over and above the damaged seal and rotor housing, any and all of which might help explain some of the problems I've had since first running the engine over a year ago.

 

1. The rubber end plugs on the seals were missing - i.e. never installed.

2. One of the end seals had 30 thou clearance when it should have been 2 thou

3. (This one is embarrassing). Bruce asked me if I was running premix. When I said yes, he asked why I'd unplugged the oil injection holes when I removed the engine. What injector holes?, I asked. Yep. Believe it or nor, the oil injector ports (next to the primary injector holes) had been unplugged since day one.

 

Taxi testing and runups tomorrow.

 

John Slade