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Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 14:46:13 -0700
From: Bob White <rlwhite@comcast.net>
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: installed cost of rotary
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On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 15:28:17 -0500
Ernest Christley <echristley@nc.rr.com> wrote:

> Dale Rogers wrote:
> 
> > Lessee here ...
> >
> > The big stuff:
> >
> > Professionally Built Engine (e.g. Bruce T)    $ 6500
> > Re-drive                                      $ 2965
> > Engine mount                                  $ 1100
> 
> Wouldn't the mount be the same for a Lycoming?  When you buy a Lycoming, 
> does it come with a mount?  For the Delta, I'd have to weld it either way. 
> 
> > EC2                                           $  895
> > Fuel pumps (2)                                $  262
> > LS-1 Coils                                    $  228
> > Oil Cooler                                    $  400
> 
> But won't the stock cooler work?
> 
> > Radiator                                      $
> 
> Using the time tested AC cores, $10
> 
> > Plumbing                                      $
> 
> At least $150.  Them dang fittings will eat you alive.  Especially the 
> larger sizes that are needed for coolant.
> 
> > Wiring Harnesses                              $
> 
> Isn't it Bob White that is putting them together for $100?
> 
Depends on the length of wire you need for the various items, but
between $90 and $120 plus the connectors to finish them off.

As for the plumbing, that can get out of hand pretty fast.  Some of the
large fittings can be $50 each.  For my first attempt, after careful
measurements, I went to a local hose shop and got $1000 worth of hoses
made up with crimp on connectors.  They are still laying around in a
box at the hanger because they didn't come close to fitting.  I
didn't realize how long the connectors were, and how stiff the hose
was in short sections.  Those hoses had one advantage, an AN16 was a
full 1" ID. The do it yourself hoses are closer to 7/8.  I'm now using
the do it yourself connectors so that I can replace the hose every few
years without breaking the bank.

For my radiators, I chose to buy new AC cores so that I would know
exactly what I had, and could replace them if I needed to.  They were
about $50 each, plus $50 each getting the AN fittings welded on.  So
there is $200.  Today I would get Ed Klepeis to weld up exactly what I
need.  I would have a single radiator reducing the number of hoses
connecting everything together.

I think I've spend twice as much doing the installation as it would
have cost if I knew what I was doing.  I've probably bought as much
stuff that I couldn't use as I've bought that I used.

I still have high hopes for the rotary.  I'm planning on keeping the
airplane as long as I can fly it.  It isn't uncommon for the Lycomings
to need a top after a few hundred hours.  I can buy a new engine from
Bruce for what that would cost.

Bob W.

-- 
http://www.bob-white.com
N93BD - Rotary Powered BD-4 (first engine start 1/7/06)
Custom Cables for your rotary installation -
http://www.roblinphoto.com/shop/