OT- Waiex 191

[Waiex191]

That has to feel good...

Oh yeah. Also my kid built that engine when he was 15, with my supervision.  So it was a really big deal for him.

[fj1289]

Getting close!

Commendable job not rushing things!

[Old Rider]

I just finished installing all of the bits in my panel tonight.  Next session I'll be riveting on the floor and hope to run the engine early May.

Congrats !  
One question why isn't there attitude indicator on the gauges panel is it enough with just the turn coordinator ? or are you planning to install one later  or will you install a Garmin 500 or similar ?

[ribbert]

That has to feel good...

Oh yeah. Also my kid built that engine when he was 15, with my supervision.  So it was a really big deal for him.

I sincerely hope he was present to bask in the success of his work. For as long as he flies that plane the satisfaction of having built the motor himself will never leave him. At some point on every flight a smile will creep over his face, even if just for a moment, as he listens to that engine purring away, he will be reminded that he built it. It's a magic feeling.

I know a mechanic for whom the thrill of hearing a motor he has built (as opposed to re just assembled) run has never left him, even after 50 years and hundreds of engines, be it a V12 supercar engine or a lawn mower it never fails to make him feel good.

The satisfaction of turning a box of nuts and bolts and odd shaped parts into a living, breathing motor is special.
Recoing an engine has a ton of variables that rely on skill and experience to get right, adapting an engine to play another role takes it up a level.

Tell your young fella, well done! I'm impressed.

Noel

[Waiex191]

Congrats !  
One question why isn't there attitude indicator on the gauges panel is it enough with just the turn coordinator ? or are you planning to install one later  or will you install a Garmin 500 or similar ?

Thanks Old Rider!  For VFR no attitude indicator is required.  The airplane is really not suitable for IFR.  I don't plan to upgrade to a Garmin as I don't have deep enough pockets.  I learned to fly in a 1946 PA12 and it only had the minimum - needle, ball, and airspeed.  To get through the private pilot rating, and to get out of a jam, it is all that is required.  Years later when I did the instrument rating I was the ace on needle, ball, and airspeed as that is what I learned on.  That is usually hard for normal people.  We didn't actually need anything for attitude but I put the turn needle in there for training.

[Waiex191]

I sincerely hope he was present to bask in the success of his work. For as long as he flies that plane the satisfaction of having built the motor himself will never leave him. At some point on every flight a smile will creep over his face, even if just for a moment, as he listens to that engine purring away, he will be reminded that he built it. It's a magic feeling.

I know a mechanic for whom the thrill of hearing a motor he has built (as opposed to re just assembled) run has never left him, even after 50 years and hundreds of engines, be it a V12 supercar engine or a lawn mower it never fails to make him feel good.

The satisfaction of turning a box of nuts and bolts and odd shaped parts into a living, breathing motor is special.
Recoing an engine has a ton of variables that rely on skill and experience to get right, adapting an engine to play another role takes it up a level.

Tell your young fella, well done! I'm impressed.

Noel

Thanks Noel!  He was definitely there, taking the video.  I offered him the opportunity to start the engine but he declined.  After he built the Aerovee our next project was to rebuild my '99 Saturn.  Again, I had him do all the work and I supervised.  That car now has ~25K miles on it since the rebuild and is his daily driver.


He did do the first start on the Saturn.
https://youtu.be/yX5yG0dGw64

[Waiex191]

In the video below, there is a good view of my FJ around the 1:00 mark.
https://youtu.be/bsoZdmA0sYw

We adjusted the secondary timing, and it runs much better.  Getting there.  We hadn't touched it in a while because we have been messing about with sailboats.  On Adam's youtube channel you can see some sailboat stuff, including two that met an untimely end.  Not sure if many people besides me are into both FJs & sailboats.

[Waiex191]

Adam's first time running the engine:
https://youtu.be/DEe6FXfRr78

He built the engine when he was 14, but he wanted me to do all the initial running.  The top set of spark plugs are run by Briggs & Stratton magnetos.  The top one runs the two front cylinders, and the bottom one runs the rear two cylinders.  The P lead on the bottom mag is bad, and would not turn off the magneto.  The other ignition is electronic and runs the bottom set of plugs. 

[Waiex191]

First taxi:
https://youtu.be/VX8dyWF_jCM

[fj1289]

Getting close!!!

Cool to see it moving under its own power!