RDavidson
Contributing Member-
Content count
507 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Everything posted by RDavidson
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
Looks great Barry! Way to go getting right back to work after being gone for a while...You are making good headway!
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Cracked Case
Leni,
Stop drilling would have been a great idea! I thought about it, but I had no idea what was inside the case because up until now I hadn’t split a case open. You are right, the weld was not very good, because of both contamination and not knowing how thick the case was. Obviously the weld was too shallow. I don’t think it would have mattered much because the crack was actually all of the way through the cylinder base, which we couldn’t get to without pulling a cylinder and then machining the face after welding. So it wasn’t a good weld by any means.
I had a friend do the welding. I don’t have a welder capable of aluminum welding. I don’t know exactly what he used?
Yes, it could have turned into a much bigger problem...I pulled the engine and bought the case after reading about engine case cracks causing entire cylinders to separate from the engine! Yikes!
Even with all of these issues, minus personal labor, I’m still way ahead in costs of this engine vs buying a freshly overhauled Lycoming. I don’t like guys hiding things that could potentially contribute to my own death, but I also don’t have the coin to pay $30K for an engine. So, the lesson I have to walk away with is having a good knowledge base of engines, and tear it down and get the parts inspected...it really isn’t complicated and if you shop around it isn’t that expensive either (as far as Aviation expense goes :)
Ron
-
2
-
-
RDavidson added a topic in Avid Magnum
Stolspeed.com VG installWhile waiting for engine parts I decided to install some VGs that I bought 6 months ago from stolspeed.com
I purchased the 120 and 80 piece kits for about $160. I installed my VGs at 3.25” from the front of the leading edge of the wing and then 4” in front of the elevator gap on the under side of the horizontal stab.
I followed the directions on the wing as a starting point, but might experiment with spacing and location later.
They only part I didn’t enjoy was sticking each VG to the sheet of 3M double sided tape before painting...it took about 4 hours. Installation was a breeze...I used a string to mark 3.25” back and that is where the noses of my VGs were placed. I used a tape line on the horizontal stab.
I followed the directions on the spacing of the VGs and did 15 at 60mm starting at the wingtip, then 90mm to the wing root. I also used the 30mm spacing for the horizontal stab.
I’ll post numbers when I get back in the air.
Ron
- 5 replies
- 1,095 views
-
RDavidson added a topic in Avid Magnum
Cracked CaseBad news for the Bee...Turns out that I had a crack in my engine case that started in the rear bottom stud of cylinder #2 and drooped down and aft as it progressed. I decided to go full "Experimental" on it and I TiG welded the bottom half of it used a MiG welder on the upper half, but on the outside only...it held for about 10 hours and then the crack reappeared right in the middle of the weld.
So the back story is that I bought this engine from a guy on eBay. It had a fresh coat of lycoming gray on everything, and now I know why! When I stripped it down it had a spot of something that didn't want to come off...It was JB weld. At the time I thought it was just some build up, but after I found the oil leak I realized it was the seller hiding the crack. So, the crack got a lot bigger and extended about 6". After the crack came through the weld, I cried Uncle and tore my engine down and bought an overhauled case. I'm waiting for new bearings to appear at my door and then I'll put it back together.
Here are some pics and I'll add more as I build the engine.
Ron
This was the attempt at welding it from the outside
the crack came back
Pulled the engine
Split the case and gutted it
The crack on the inside
Overhauled case from Divco in Tulsa, OK
Painted the case first this time
This is the crank gear bolt...this is the bolt that has to be replaced when you have a prop strike. You can get at it by removing the accessory case.
More pics to come...
- 16 replies
- 1,955 views
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Matco Fat Tailwheel trashed
Chris,
Thanks!
Did you go with different sized compression type springs on the chains to dampen the shimmy?
I’m running a Maule pneumatic tailwheel and tire now and I don’t have a shimmy anymore, but I think I used different sized springs this time which probably helped...
Thanks,
Ron
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Matco Fat Tailwheel trashed
Ha! That is actually how I found them Joey! I wish we lived closer, we share the same hobbies!
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
This is the “Finch” tip...Ed is right about dangerous! I Think the idea is that they deflect the wingtip vortices further off the wing...or maybe they just wanted Magnum pilots to wear eye patches like Pirates?
Ron
-
1
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Matco Fat Tailwheel trashed
Thomas,
Your Magnum looks great! I like the changes you have made.
Springs can be reheated and tempered if you find a shop willing to do it.
I used this place http://www.alcanspring.com/
I talked to Bill. He is a good guy and made a spring for me for cheap! Just make a detailed drawing and send it to him.
I modified my tailpost mount and went with a Husky type spring with three leaves. I did it so I might have a more universal spring and mount, so later I could maybe go with one of those fancy T3 shock systems.
Let me know if you need anything else.
Ron
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
It’ easy once you get tired of the manual and pitch it in the trash
-
2
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
I think I know what you are saying...I’ll attach a pic...
Not from my bird, but it is the second Magnum built by Avid.
The ribs are sunken into the tank...the PO had done this step already when I bought it, so I’m not much help in the how to area...
Another thing worthy of mention in the pic is that they did not wrap these tanks with fiberglass! You will have to fit the ribs after wrapping fiberglass over the tank and spars.
Maybe somebody, that has actually done this can jump in here?
I did a whole lot of filling and sanding to get that area smooth so that part of a rib wouldn’t stick out.
Thanks,
Ron
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
Barry, you are correct it is the rear part of the rib glued to the back of the fuel tank...
Welcome to the Magnum Manual Land of confusion!
Ron
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
Looks good Barry! I like the left only trim tab! I might have to change mine....
Ron
-
1
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Simple ADS-B Out solution
Joey, you spend more time in the sand than David Hasselhoff! Stay safe and I hope the time passes quickly...
I saw your pics on FB and that place looks the same and I haven’t been there in over ten years!
Take care,
Ron
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Simple ADS-B Out solution
Joey,
It is about $1500-$1800 depending on the gps antenna and premade wiring harness options. That is kind of a standard cost across the board.
There is another company making one that hooks up to the wingtip and uses the power and ground wires already there for the light...pretty cool too...
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Matco Fat Tailwheel trashed
I'm replying to my own post again which is the first sign of a posting problem
I verbally trashed the Matco Tailwheel, but after finally getting time to look at the tail wheel, there is nothing wrong with it! It is a simple design and a quite hearty design.
I had a lot of trouble taxiing with it on pavement, just because it had enough surface area on the pavement to stretch my springs instead of turning the wheel. Things got better with forward momentum, but still kind of stiff feeling.
I also got some of our Pueblo mud stuck between the tire and the forks, which barely clear each other...after flying for about an hour the mud dried like concrete and when I set the tail down it started hopping!
But as I said above, the real problem was that the shimmy I had experienced with it actually shook the metal lock nut loose and helped cause the slow motion runway excursion...
If I were doing most of my operations off airport I would be putting it back on!
I just wanted to clarify that the Tailwheel did not fail, it is a solid part...
Ron
-
1
-
-
RDavidson added a topic in Avid Magnum
Simple ADS-B Out solutionFor those of us needing in and out of airspace after 2020 there are several experimental ads-b out solutions. I went with the iLevil Beacon this month and just finished the install. It is a self contained unit that looks like a com antenna that you mount on the belly. It came with a 9 foot wiring harness, one end connecting to the Beacon with a cannon plug, and the other has a 9 pin plug and two wires for 12 volt power and a ground. The 9 pin plug connects to an LCD that you panel mount (1 3/4" diameter hole) and you use the LCD to setup and monitor the Beacon. The Beacon contains it's own GPS system but does require a gps antenna. iLevil sells a Rami gps antenna, but it is pricey.
The Beacon can "sniff" your squawk code out, without wiring to the transponder. The sniffed squawk will be displayed on the LCD screen so you can verify it.
It is 2020 compliant and if you haven't looked at iLevil technology, you are missing out! Check out their "Bom" that will be released in December! Super cool!
Anyway, easy install...
Ron
- 5 replies
- 840 views
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
Barry,
look around on the forum, there are lots of discussions about it...pros = no ethanol deterioration of tanks, cons = some have had trouble with the seal releasing from the fiberglass and clogging filters, or leaving an un protected piece of fiberglass that the ethanol ate through and caused a leak.
you bought the 160hp O-320, so 100LL is in your future anyway...
If 100LL goes away, you and I both will be replacing our fiberglass tanks, so we can share the misery at least.
Ron
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
Looking good Barry! This looks a lot better than the green goop!
Ron
-
1
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
Looks great Barry!!!
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
Barry,
Here is the solution I came up with, without any welding required, but I think I would weld tabs at the stage you are at...
I riveted a piece of aluminum to the u-channel and drilled spaced holes across it. I later put fast nut clips over the holes and tabs.
I just looked up one of the Magnum prototypes and it only had tabs on the horizontal stab too...
Ron
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Huston! We have a problem!
I did not have them on control surfaces, but on a throttle quadrant and over a 5 year period they held up great. It is always nice to have castlenuts and cotter pins...sorry if I lead you in a bad direction, but I think you found a good compromise.
Is this all because of a modification someone made to that arm? It seems that if it were standard the other guys would have this solved already.
Ron
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Huston! We have a problem!
Looks good! I’ve used those Clevis pins like that and have had no problems...it’s not like you could get an side load on them anyway with all of the close tolerances. Safer than it was for sure!
Ron
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Step 2, Build Magnum!!
Barry,
Looks good! You are going to love that rotisserie!
I thought of another spot to weld... where the horizontal stabilizer goes through the vertical stabilizer...you will see in the pic attached that mine had tabs that were welded along the bottom, but not the top. I would weld tabs around the whole thing because you will have an aluminum panel that goes there. I don't see any tabs on yours?
-
0
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic Huston! We have a problem!
Damn, that is a tight spot! What about a Clevis pin?
-
1
-
-
RDavidson added a post in a topic BIG NEWS: Avid is BACK IN BUSINESS!
Awesome!!!
-
0
-