RDavidson

Contributing Member
 View profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    507

  • Joined

  • Last visited


Everything posted by RDavidson



  1. RDavidson added a post in a topic McArthur / Beluga Fun Run   

    Great pics!
    • 0


  2. RDavidson added a post in a topic Sealing the firewall?   

    Dimi3,
    That does not only look functional, but it looks cool too!
    What Helo are you building?

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 0


  3. RDavidson added a post in a topic FLOATS ON EBAY $1000 AND NO BIDS   

    Oh man am I jealous! Looks like I would stay delayed! The lake of the Ozarks will be great too! Enjoy!
    • 0


  4. RDavidson added a post in a topic 1st Annual Red Hills Ranch Fly-in Pics   

    JEALOUS!
    • 0


  5. RDavidson added a post in a topic New Avid Owner in the NorthWest   

    Wow! She's a beaut! Congrats! Love the Amphibs! Let us know where you are located and what kind of TLC you have planned for her!

    Again Congrats,
    Ron
    • 1


  6. RDavidson added a post in a topic Sealing the firewall?   

    Ed,
    Good points...I didn't think about it burning out the valves too.
    I tell you what, after seeing those pipes glow on a Dyno stand I don't know how the stainless doesn't just melt into a puddle! That is impressive!

    This is one of those topics that gets a pretty even split on pros and cons.

    One thought though, if Helos are doing it we shouldn't be afraid of it because those are the same certified engines used in certified GA aircraft...right? If it were really horrible for engine wear or exhaust it would definitely be proven and documented by now.
    • 0


  7. RDavidson added a post in a topic FLOATS ON EBAY $1000 AND NO BIDS   

    The one rating I never got was the Seaplane rating, and it is probably the one I am most interested in getting! I visited Alaska as a kid and I rode in an amphib 182 and I thought that was the coolest thing ever! He was hopping us from lake to lake and stopping to fish while standing on the floats.
    Once I get my Magnum flying I'm going to look into floats, and the rating of course...
    Seems like all of these floats are Expensive! That is why I looked for the page you found, $1000 seemed like a great deal. However, I would have to go amphib around here because there is not much water, and very few places to keep your plane in the water.
    I know Amphibs are pricey! So it will probably stay a dream...
    I sent you a basic way to post a link...I probably explained it clear as mud, so let me know if I need to explain it better.
    Hey, your computer skills are pretty good buying and selling stuff on Ebay! My Mother still thinks that if she presses the wrong combination of keys there will be an explosion!
    • 0


  8. RDavidson added a post in a topic Sealing the firewall?   

    Great pics, and great looking plane! The cowling mods are impressive!
    Thanks for the exhaust explanation, it makes sense...
    I guess that is the problem with info on the internet...even idiots have a loud voice, so you never know what info you are getting. I had really looked into wraps for my other project and I was scarred away by a few internet people saying "you'll burn through your pipes!"
    Now I know opposite! Thanks
    • 0


  9. RDavidson added a post in a topic Sealing the firewall?   

    I always heard that wrapping the exhaust was a performance gain in HP and the only downsides were the extra weight and faster decay of the pipes due to the confined heat. Anybody know if that is true or false?
    • 0


  10. RDavidson added a post in a topic Valdeze Fly-in Trip   

    Awesome pics! JEALOUS!!!
    • 0


  11. RDavidson added a post in a topic FLOATS ON EBAY $1000 AND NO BIDS   

    Ed,

    I think these are the ones you were talking about...they are small and the pic on the side is of an ultralight with floats. That being said I know the sum of Jack and Squat about floats

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aircraft-Floats-/171326808159?pt=Motors_Aviation_Parts_Gear&hash=item27e3dfa05f&vxp=mtr
    • 0


  12. RDavidson added a post in a topic Cleaning out hangar stuff!   

    Ed,
    I'm an idiot! I'm going to have to slow down and read! Ha! I just sent you a message on ebay asking if you were related to Ed! Ha! Ha!
    Your formal first name threw me off for a second! Too funny!
    I'll mail those off tomorrow!
    Maybe you and I should just start trading stuff...we will have the Feds after us with our money passing back and forth to each other!

    See ya,
    Ron
    • 0


  13. RDavidson added a post in a topic Cleaning out hangar stuff!   

    I think so Ed, that is what they came off of...
    I've already sold a couple of the items, I think to guys on here, so take a quick look.

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 0


  14. RDavidson added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    Cleaning out hangar stuff!
    Hey guys,

    As I scramble for $ to finish my project, I have put some left over things from a different project up for sale.
    I priced everything very fairly and some downright cheap considering most of them are close to brand new.
    Brake calipers, discs, cylinders
    Intercom
    Tail wheels
    Leaf springs
    Gas tank sealer kits

    It is all listed on Ebay
    Here is a link to the brakes, then you can click on the "see other items" under ColoradoDavidson2012
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aircraft-brake-calipers-and-discs-/261476779297?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce13b0521



    • 5 replies
    • 814 views


  15. RDavidson added a post in a topic Sealing the firewall?   

    Perfect, thanks Ed!
    • 0


  16. RDavidson added a post in a topic Sealing the firewall?   

    It sounds like a good idea Ed, I just wondered if you did the entire cowl if you would actually be baking the engine like a aluminum foiled potato and make the engine temp go up!
    Around the exhaust makes sense...
    • 0


  17. RDavidson added a topic in "other aircraft your working on"   

    Starduster's last flights
    Well, I'm getting ready to sell my Starduster Too. It has been fun and has gone through a transformation from a complete nightmare to a tame kitten. I bought it in 2007 and flew it from Wisconsin to Oklahoma and came closer to dying in it than in any of my military experiences! It had CG problems, too much weight on the Tailwheel, and all of the engine accessories took turns breaking on the long scarry trip home. To top it all off, the Tailwheel assembly had been damaged and was canted a degree or two to the side so every time I touched down I would hear a metal "clang", which was the Tailwheel going to it's limit and releasing, then the wild ride was on!
    After I got her home I tore her apart. It took me 4 years to get her flying again and about the same amount of time to get me flying again because I had 5 back surgeries during this time. I used the project for my physical therapy, working for 15 minutes and then laying in an arm chair for 45 minutes and I would repeat that for as long as possible. So the progress was slow, but she started coming together! I did so many things to her that I can't list them all, but I'll attach a before and after pic.
    I'm going to miss flying her and miss all the attention she draws. I always get a chuckle when my $23,000 plane gathers a crowd! I have met some cool characters in my travels in this plane, it seems that a biplane reminds everyone of early aviation and their love for it!
    I have her in Colorado now and she struggles with the higher altitude because I have an O-320, most have an O-360 or bigger. However, my fuel bills are a lot smaller!
    Anyway, I have to sell her so I can finish my Magnum project.
    If you know anyone looking for a cheap biplane let me know.

    Thanks,
    Ron

    Before

    After
    Here is the short list...
    New longer Engine mount, new longer Engine cowlings, new fiberglass turtledeck, all new fuel lines, complete new electrical harness. New instrument panel with GPS and other new instruments, electric elv trim, two cameras, new 78" ground adjustable prop for climb performance at high altitude, new vacuum pump, new fuel pump, new alternator, new Tailwheel, new gear leg spats, much more...

    • 5 replies
    • 1,717 views


  18. RDavidson added a post in a topic Sealing the firewall?   

    Which insulating material do you guys suggest for the cockpit side of the firewall?

    Should I look into insulating the fiberglass engine cowls? My engine fills the cowls and I'm concerned about the heat causing the fiberglass to sag. Is this an issue?
    • 0


  19. RDavidson added a post in a topic Sealing the firewall?   

    Thanks guys!

    Mike I just looked at your old posts to see your paint job...that is one of the best looking Avid paint jobs I've seen!
    What paint did you use?
    Is that Piper Cub Yellow?
    I'm planning on using the Piper Cub yellow and black. That silver sure looks good too!
    Any painting tips or lessons you want to pass on?

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 0


  20. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    Sealing the firewall?
    The directions for the Magnum say to use silicone to seal the firewall to the fiberglass...

    What have you guys used?
    • 22 replies
    • 2,100 views


  21. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    I fixed the stuck pucks! I plugged the line end of the brake caliper then connected a grease gun to the bleed nipple. A few pumps later and the pucks started moving! Easy! I hope this helps the next guy, I was really worried I was going to have to ruin the pucks to get them out!

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 2


  22. RDavidson added a post in a topic Fuel tube between header tanks aka flux capacitor!   

    I heated the Hysol'd fittings today and they twisted right out! Thanks for that tip!
    Yes, I agree that the 45s going down is the best option for all the reasons mentioned. The do both combine and run forward to the fuel shutoff valve and then through the firewall to the engine.

    Thanks again for all the help! It is great being able to find answers to these questions! It is nice not having to reinvent the wheel with every road bump!
    • 0


  23. RDavidson added a post in a topic Fuel tube between header tanks aka flux capacitor!   

    Leni: no worries, you had me second guessing the two header tanks for a second there!

    Luke: the PO left me all kinds of Hysol presents!

    Thanks to both of you for the heat tip!
    • 0


  24. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    One of my double puck calipers has both pistons stuck like Chuck! I got the other calipers pistons out by forcing air into the caliper. I tried it on this one and nothing happened. I tried soaking it in some WD-40, then some carb cleaner, and basically anything that eats corrosion, and they are still stuck!

    Any ideas?

    Has anybody tried drilling and tapping a shallow hole in the piston face, then threading a bolt in it to get some kind of turning force to break it loose?

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 0


  25. RDavidson added a post in a topic Fuel tube between header tanks aka flux capacitor!   

    Found it! No upward fitting, so it must clear it...
    • 0