I'm not Ernest (obviously), but many things different on this rebuild which I'll detail later but the one thing I'd like to mention now that made so much difference in the design is in the tool category. 
  When I built my dream shop over the last bunch of years I included an overhead 2 axis crane/hoist on rails that are part of the shop structure. This has proved invaluable over the years almost daily but when I finally got back to the plane the first thing I wanted to do was apply a fireproof blanket to the engine side of the firewall in an unbroken sheet. In order to do this I used the hoist to suspend the engine and mount together as one while I disconnected the mount from the firewall. Unsurprisingly I could effortlessly move it once everything was disconnected. This led me to the conclusion that so much of my original installation was unsatisfactory as it was all a compromise with fw penetration and accessory location governed by the ability to access it with the engine and mount hanging on the firewall. Back then I had to get a couple of beer-drinking buddies over to lift the engine on/off. So I took the opportunity to do a redesign by patching every penetration point and sealing the fw with a fireproof blanket  to give me clean slate (see picture). There is a small weight penalty for this but worth it as this time it was so easy to put everything exactly where I want it as I could effortlessly move the engine with mount and accessories with one hand to place and fit items.

  Now I realize this isn't feasible for most to add an overhead hoist to their shop, but a simple engine hoist would achieve the same result even if it does require more effort to move into and out of place. This may seem obvious now, but at the time it was something I just never considered. 

   That is the one thing different that has allowed me to do many other things different.

 
  

Oh and I can already hear all the newer list members asking WTH is that big hole at the bottom of the fw? An original half baked idea I had all those years ago for an internal muffler housing to keep the square homemade SpinTech muffler from being an air drag. I'll post better detailed pics later but it did work pretty good but I probably wouldn't do that again. Too much work for little gain. Especially now that I'm using a much less draggy AeroExhaust.

Todd 

RV9 13Bturbo

Todd Bartrim

On Wed, Jan 4, 2017 at 6:54 PM, GEORGE PUTNAM <flyrotary@lancaironline.net> wrote:

Great to see your posts on the forum, Ernest. Curious. What would you do differently today if you were building the rotary for the Dyke?!

Best Regards,

George Putnam

On Jan 3, 2017, at 5:55 PM, Ernest Christley <flyrotary@lancaironline.net> wrote:

Well, that was inspirational.  I have the descent rate.  I have the forward speed.  I can easily calculate the best glide and climb angles from that.  Thanks, James.