"Scott" wrote

If I'm reading you correctly, are you saying that poor maintenance is
the cause of all or most auto engine failures and that airplane engine
failures are caused by engine design problems?

Long to short, Yes. That said, there are many engines that have a much
better track record for reliability. The Chevy 4.3, Chevy 5.7, ford V-6,
with 4.2, (or something like that) Ford 351 come to mind, off the top of my
head.

When these engines get 80,000 miles, (or perhaps 1500 hours would be close)
the possibility of catastrophic failure begins to rise. Time for a cheap,
simple overhaul, when compared to the lycosarus and it's ilk.

That said, I realize the devil is in the details, with the PRSU, and other
systems having problems, without good engineering.

The Lycosarus has problems, IMHO, because of it's ultra emphasis on light
weight, and many other problems due to faulty parts. (seems like there is
always a bolt, or crankshaft, or something with an AD on it) Add on, the
ever present problems of finding truly qualified people to work on them.

On the "old reliable" airplane engines,carbs freeze up without precise
procedures being followed, magnetos fail, heads get too hot and cause valve
problems, or warped or cracked heads, detonation destroys pistons, jugs blow
off.

Modern auto engines don't have these problems, due to (IMHO) the fact that
they are produced in such large numbers, and some are raced. With a backup
ignition and electrical system, they keep running. Don't even start with
the old "auto engines are not built to run that hard" stuff, because on
boats, and airboats, and some airplanes, they do, without catastrophic
engine failures.

It is time for people to get modern engine's installation details worked
out, and use them. Design a system; buy some of it, and engineer the rest.
Test the hell out of it while on the ground. Put it in a plane and fly it.
Some are doing this, with varied results, but usually the engine itself
failing is not the problem.

Such an undertaking is not for everyone. I hope I get a chance to do it.

Soapbox off. g
--
Jim in NC