On Aug 26, 6:32*am, stol wrote:
On Aug 24, 9:48*pm, "





wrote:
I was thumbing through a catalog from Speedway Motors. *They advertise
a magneto-type distributor. *Assuming you didn't come across a
thrashed race engine with magnetos, couldn't someone put together an
engine worthy of aircraft use, by simply 1) ordering an aftermarket
engine with fuel injection, such as the chevy "RamJet" crate engine,
2) adding a dry sump lubrication system to it (not too strange
addition to high perf cars nowadays), and 3)-adding the magneto from
Speedway. *Use direct drive to keep the RPM low and reliability high.
I doubt that today's hi perf crate engines lack the torque to turn a
prop at 1:1.

If this is unsafe, specifically why?

I know someone could fly within 100 miles of a t-storm and have the
static electricity play with the ignition system, but stop a magneto?
If you were struck with lightning, your auto-engine might stop, but
then your resin might burn and melt, leaving you with some loose
fiberglass to negotiate a crash. *Point I'm making is, experimental
planes near t-storms have bigger probs to worry about, don't they?

BTW, that magneto appears to be offered just for big and small block
chevy's. *Aside from that, the models they carry are "nostalgia
engines"...1950 hemis, flat head fords and the like. *Another caveat:
they cost $1100...but even with that and a $1200 dry sump system, we
are still way under the cost of an O-540.

These conversions are done all the time.. All it takes is alot of
work... But that is what homebuilding is all about right ?

Benwww.haaspowerair.com

Watch this video too. * * * *http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...0730841&hl=en- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

what is the cost and the hp? how does it compare to a 18,000 USD,
220hp franklin engine? i couldn't easily tell from the webpage.

playing the devil's advocate...

some coil gone wild or short in the system could afflict both msd
boxes. maybe he has two coils.

aero electricity experts do have some compelling arguments in favor of
magnetos. maybe non-magnetos is ok because your experimental plane
doesn't see t-storms....maybe it doesn't even see IFR/MVFR. i
presonally would want a magneto....i know the mechanic working on the
plane will be less likely to make mistakes or be confused.