Auto Engine Conversion Video

"stol" wrote in message
...
The first edition of my video is up on the net. There is one glitch
that I can't seem to figure out. At 14.40 into it the video locks up.
For some reason the progress arrow that moves under the pic outruns
the fed data. I have been able to view the second half of the video by
simply taking the cursor and sliding that arrow back in time about a
minute or so. Then when it resumes it runs past the 14.40 mark and
plays to the end. Don't ask whats wrong cause I am amazed I even got
it posted. Thanks again to Jim in NC and Darrel who both made this
upload possible. Hopefully it plays ok for you...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...50730841&hl=en

I've thought of a few questions, that your video (otherwise very thorough and
well done, I thought) didn't answer.

I would like to have seen a bit of statistics, or specifications, such as engine
weight without the accessories, and the full up weight with the redrive,
accessories, and plumbing. Also, some possible charts on climb vs. rpm and fuel
consumption, and cruise speeds vs. rpm and fuel consumption.

What did you have to do, if anything, to get the CG right, on what I would
assume is a heavier engine than is usually used on this aircraft.

Many auto engine conversions use a smaller than normal accessory drive pulley on
the crankshaft, as to not overspeed the alternator, and water pump, and such, or
else use oversized pulleys on the alternator, at a minimum. Did you do anything
like that? I would guess that you probably did not, since your stated cruise
RPM is not all that higher than an auto on the highway.

Do you have a split electrical system, to make electrical failure less of a
possible engine stopping event, and do other backups exist to keep the sparks
sparking, and fuel flowing?

Interesting observations on the need for a beefed up redrive front mounting
plate. I would never have guessed that would be a problem. Is the lower pulley
mounted on two bearings, or just the outer bearing and the crankshaft bearings?
What type of mating is made with the crankshaft? Splines? Any problems with
getting the alignment right, and any problems with any slop with the interface?
Any harmonics issues? I did notice the use of your fluid harmonic balancer.
How does the belt tension function? How often does it need to have the tension
checked and/or adjusted? I have noted that some redrive manufacturers advertise
a single bolt tensioning feature.

On an annual inspection, (or more frequent inspections, if applicable) what
points in particular are you disassembling to inspect, and what things do you
make a point to inspect visually, or otherwise pay close attention to checking?

If you had to advise someone who was undertaking their own conversion, what top
5 (or 10) points would you tell them will be the most critical things to get
right, or will be the hardest to get right?

What things surprised you (I know you hit a few of these things in the video) as
things that you did not think would be difficult, but proved to be hard to get
right?

I know this is a pretty huge list of questions, and if you don't feel like
answering them all, or that some of them don't really apply, so be it; I would
understand. You obviously have already spent a lot of time on doing a good
video, and these questions might well take more time than you want to invest. I
will say that I appreciate the time you have already invested.

You know, by the time you got done with all of this, you could probably do just
a little more, and organize what you have done in the video and your other
documentations, into writing a book! This could be the start of something big!
g

Again, a hearty "well done!"
--
Jim in NC