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Actually, Tracy. I am beginning to believe the old
engine was not as healthy as I thought - at least not compared to what this
engine seems to be doing. I was rather amazed myself at the low fuel burn
- and that was not as low as it would have gone, but I did not want to
lean it out overlymuch. Wanted to keep plenty of oil on the seals - I
increased my oil to 2 oz per gallon for this break-in period. I am also
breaking it in using Mobile 1 synthetic instead of Mineral oil - we will
see.
In any case, this low fuel burn seems to fly in face
of my concerns about an overly tight engine. The
tightness seemed only to have an affect at the lower (near idle rpms) and
part of the problem of keeping it running at the lower rpms I now know is
related to the fuel map. - I do not yet know what the static with this
engine will be except that for the couple of times I blipped it to 6000 rpm and
stopped the increase there as Bruce suggested not getting too wild for the first
10 hours or so.
Starts without a problem now, no smoke even on start
up. Coolant temps still a bit high, but going out this morning to open up
the 10 sq inch duct which happens to be feeding my hottest radiator (series hook
up) - so that should help a bit. Even on the flight home the coolant temps
had decreased, oil temp is no problem.
I have not played with the ignition set up until I had to
reset the crankangle sensor after the overhaul. I set it up static for
approx 30 deg, but have not yet played with the timing on the EC2. Not
beyond possibility that the old engine was a be retarded (in
timing).
Hopefully all will continue in a positive way.
Have a safe trip and watch out for those "Rocky Mountain
Highs", I understand they can get you heart to racing {:>)
Ed
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 7:30 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Home again &
Colorado trip & Ed's new engine
Amazing feeling isn't it? Makes you love the machine even
more.
Not looking forward to those risky miles on the road. Thank you Ken
& Kelly for the gracious offer of a friendly place to stop. We are
on a tight schedule after multiple rain/flood delays (I feel your pain Rusty)
but if it works out right we will gladly take you up on the offer. Will
give you a heads up before if we are in the area at stopping time. We
have no idea what kind of speed we'll be making while towing our
decrepit travel trailer "Ted" (Temporary Emergency Domicile).
BTW Ed, I was amazed at the great improvement in minimum level flight
fuel burn with the new engine. That is HUGE! Now it is closer
to what mine is (~3.5 gph) as I would have expected. I have to wonder if
there was something wrong with the old engine or setup. Did you ever
play with the ignition timing before? That is about the only thing that
can make a basically healthy engine give such higher fuel burn.
(retarded ignition timing). Anyway, glad you found the extra efficiency
& power. Even with a bit more weight & drag, your -6 should not
have been that much different than my -4.
Tracy
I can certainly relate to how good it feels to get
your baby home. Pulled up in my hangar and sighed after the flight
home.
Have a great trip, Tracy. Remember you are
driving out there - much more dangerous than flying - so keep on your toes
and watch for closing traffic.
Ed
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