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Message
Hi Tracy;
I have
the RD-1A on my turbo 13B which while it is not recommended for turbo
applications is rated for up to 200hp. Since my turbo is used only for
normalization purposes (mountain flying) and take off performance (during
which I use an absolute maximum of 45"MAP, but usually <40"), I doubt that I
ever see 200 hp and since the RV9 is only rated for 160 hp I never intend to
attempt to reach 200 hp.
Does the RD-1A have a welded or
pinned input shaft? And should I be concerned about it?
Todd
(too busy to put any stress on any of my airplane's parts)
I will publish a service alert later today on the website ( www.rotaryaviation.com) on B drives
used on turbo charged 13Bs and 20B engines.
Decided to do this after reviewing Steve Brooks input shaft
problem. His input shaft was previously used for well over 100 hours on
Ed Anderson's drive (fairly early drive) with no problems. It used the
welded style sun gear attachment to the input shaft. Steve's turbo
engine apparently had enough torque to break the weld in the same way that
Dave Leonard's (another turbo) did.
Shortly before starting C drive production (4-23-03) we changed
over to a drilled and pinned input shaft. This service alert requests
(strongly) that any B drive used on a turbo charged 13B or 20B engine
delivered before this date be inspected for presence of a pinned input
shaft. If the sun gear is welded instead of pinned, the input shaft
should be returned to RWS to have it drilled and pinned prior to
any flight. This service will be performed for only the cost of
materials and shipping. No problems have been encountered on RD-1, RD-1A
or RD-1B drives used on normally aspirated engines but if you wish, this
update can be done for a nominal service charge ( parts & shipping +
shop time TBD).
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