Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips"
Well, I have put 4 hrs on her the last couple of days. This is really the first time I have had uninterrupted testing time so I could digest what is really happening to this engine. After numerous runnings I have discovered that the carb was running really rich, so much so that it was puffing black smoke periodically and building up thick layers of carbon on the stacks and also on the plugs. (This was happening some last summer also). I lowered the fuel level in the float chamber, and this helped some to lean it out a little, but the problem still persisted and I could not go on with any confidence. BTW I have concluded that my engine problems from last Sept., were a direct result of this phenominon, not related to ignition. As it turns out the good Lord was actually looking out for me that day, and allowed me to return the the airport to discover my other problem of the second mag drive falling apart. My new theory is this: When I had two functioning plugs per cylinder, there was just enough combustion to keep me from building carbon too fast. On that last flight in Sept. when the 2nd mag did fail, the carbon began to build to the point of the very rough running, forcing me back to the airport to discover the timing gear disintegration. So here is the good news. Steve Thomas (owner and benevolent king of Poplar Grove Airport) suggested that I might try burning 100LL instead of the no-lead car gas he has there. I had nothing to loose so I gave it a try. Went to the pumps and filled the remaining 8 gallons of space in my tank with 100LL. So at that point I had about 80% 100LL in the tank. It made an immediate difference. No more puffs of black smoke. No more sputtering. No more missing. Plenty of power even with only the single ignition. I flew the heck out of it right over the airport, trying to burn some gas. Went back to the pumps again and refilled with 100LL. Flew for another hour. Had to stop because I discovered a small fuel tank leak (ARRRRG). Anyway, taxied back to the hangar and pulled the plugs to find nice, gray electrodes with NO carbon anywhere. I am not smart enough to know why this switch of fuel solved the problem. I am sure there are some on this list that can tell me. Also, Steve T. mounted one of those GO PRO cameras on my strut and cowl. He got some good video from that and he also took his Cub up with his son Blake and took some more great air-to-air video. I don't see it posted anywhere yet but I will watch for it and let y'all know.So now I am feeling ALOT better about my airplane and engine, with confidence levels rising. I only have to get my tank welded up and back in to be ready for Brodhead.Since I have been without cable TV and Internet (we have it turned off in PG), I have been watching the first 15 minutes of TGWP every night on the DVD player. That has got to be the BEST movie ever. No real airplane nut could ever tire of watching that little boy Scooter, at the first sound of the airplane engine in the distance, put down his fishing rod, excitedly race with his dog over to the sound of the Jenny, and upon seeing it approach over the trees, fall on his back upside down to see the belly of the airplane wizzing a few feet above his face. Maybe I'm a sap, but it gives me chills every time.Dan HelsperSitting in McDonalds. In PG till Tuesday________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
RE: Pietenpol-List: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
You are a sap.and don't call me Shirley.Good to hear you're solving your engine problems, Dan. I myself am now theproud owner of a CloudCars scimitar prop and saw an immediate improvement inclimb and a slight improvement in cruise performance. With this prop theplane feels like a rocket climbing out on takeoff. I can hardly wait to flyit to Brodhead.Jack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia _____
You are a sap.and don't call me Shirley.Good to hear you're solving your engine problems, Dan. I myself am now theproud owner of a CloudCars scimitar prop and saw an immediate improvement inclimb and a slight improvement in cruise performance. With this prop theplane feels like a rocket climbing out on takeoff. I can hardly wait to flyit to Brodhead.Jack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia _____
Pietenpol-List: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: Jim Markle
Re: Pietenpol-List: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: "Brett Phillips"
Pietenpol-List: Re: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: "bender"
Yup - that would be Corey.--------Lorin MillerWaiex N81YXGN-1 N30PPRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Yup - that would be Corey.--------Lorin MillerWaiex N81YXGN-1 N30PPRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: "Gary Boothe"
Hey Dan.. are you running a B carb ??what did you do with the mixture adjustment ?on my '30 AA truck i only open the mixture when i get water in the fuel so it willhave enough fuel to run.. otherwise the mixture is all the way closed to 1/4 turn open.. anything more andits richi have a couple of aftermarket A carbs... a tillotson and a marvel ... lots ofguys swear by the tillotson X and they are both aluminum ... way lighter thanthe Zenith cast iron carbsi plan to try both of them and see how they run.. i may put em on my truck firstand see if one is betternice to hear you're flying.... i can't wait to hear mine runRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________
Hey Dan.. are you running a B carb ??what did you do with the mixture adjustment ?on my '30 AA truck i only open the mixture when i get water in the fuel so it willhave enough fuel to run.. otherwise the mixture is all the way closed to 1/4 turn open.. anything more andits richi have a couple of aftermarket A carbs... a tillotson and a marvel ... lots ofguys swear by the tillotson X and they are both aluminum ... way lighter thanthe Zenith cast iron carbsi plan to try both of them and see how they run.. i may put em on my truck firstand see if one is betternice to hear you're flying.... i can't wait to hear mine runRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________
RE: Pietenpol-List: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Jeff,My new prop is a 76" diameter and 38" pitch.Jack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia _____
Jeff,My new prop is a 76" diameter and 38" pitch.Jack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia _____
Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: helspersew(at)aol.com
Sorry shad, been really busy with work.. Can i make a donation to help with port-o-potty and what not? Let me know how!Sent from my iPhoneOn Jun 19, 2011, at 4:44 PM, shad bell wrote:> Well Guys my little fly-in was a wash. We had the nicest Pietenpol at the fly-in (the only airplane there). I am thinking of trying to do one in the fall, possibly september if there is any interest. The weather in june is so unstable, fall might be a better time to have it in the future. We did bring dad's 1932 1.5 ton model A Ford truck over, and his teardrop camper he built, it will be the sleeping quarters for Brodhead. The people who drove in admired the camper as much or more than the piet.> > Sitting on 4 dozzen hot dogs, 5 cases of soda, and many bags of dog buns,> Shad> > > > ============================================================================================================================================> ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Sorry shad, been really busy with work.. Can i make a donation to help with port-o-potty and what not? Let me know how!Sent from my iPhoneOn Jun 19, 2011, at 4:44 PM, shad bell wrote:> Well Guys my little fly-in was a wash. We had the nicest Pietenpol at the fly-in (the only airplane there). I am thinking of trying to do one in the fall, possibly september if there is any interest. The weather in june is so unstable, fall might be a better time to have it in the future. We did bring dad's 1932 1.5 ton model A Ford truck over, and his teardrop camper he built, it will be the sleeping quarters for Brodhead. The people who drove in admired the camper as much or more than the piet.> > Sitting on 4 dozzen hot dogs, 5 cases of soda, and many bags of dog buns,> Shad> > > > ============================================================================================================================================> ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: bender
Jeff,I am running the Zenith "B" carb. The mixture is 1 turn open. This was a recommendation by Ken Perkins. I tried adjusting that on the ground for better performance, and if I closed it I had a little roughness, but maybe now with the 100LL I can try to readjust to the closed or 1/4 turn open, and see. Thanks for the recommendation. I really appreciate the info. All the help from the guys on this list is priceless. BTW if you might recall the problem I had last summer of the engine wanting to quit on final. The 100LL switch has helped that too. I still need to do some more testing of trying to close the throttle "over the numbers" and see if she quits now. When do you think you will have yours running?Dan HelsperIn PG till tomorrow. Getting my aluminum tank welded this morning. Big T-storms here today so probably can't fly.-----Original Message-----
Jeff,I am running the Zenith "B" carb. The mixture is 1 turn open. This was a recommendation by Ken Perkins. I tried adjusting that on the ground for better performance, and if I closed it I had a little roughness, but maybe now with the 100LL I can try to readjust to the closed or 1/4 turn open, and see. Thanks for the recommendation. I really appreciate the info. All the help from the guys on this list is priceless. BTW if you might recall the problem I had last summer of the engine wanting to quit on final. The 100LL switch has helped that too. I still need to do some more testing of trying to close the throttle "over the numbers" and see if she quits now. When do you think you will have yours running?Dan HelsperIn PG till tomorrow. Getting my aluminum tank welded this morning. Big T-storms here today so probably can't fly.-----Original Message-----
Pietenpol-List: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: KM Heide CPO/FAAOP
Subject: Subject: Pietenpol-List: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note> I was just going to ask the list about others who have been using > 100LL in the model A.> I got the Airworthiness Certificate June 9, and waited till Fri the > 17th for Barry Triplett to make the first flight. The engine > hadn't been run for about a month and when I tried to start it just > to get more time on it before starting taxi tests, I couldn't get > it running. I decided that when Barry got here, we would get it > running. We did, but it took 3 days and he had to leave after just > making a couple of runs up and down the runway. On Fri we > determined the Slick mag had died even though the engine had been > running great the last time that I had it going. The first few > times I ran the engine almost 2 years ago I fueled it with 91 > octane auto gas without ethanol, and it was running fine. At the > present time it is difficult to find auto gas without ethanol near > my home, so I decided to switch to 100LL. I ran it a total of 2 > hours on the 100LL before taking it to the airport. As soon as we > decided the mag was not working, I ordered a new one overnight > delivery and when we got it in the airplane, had to spend some > time getting the impulse working reliably by shimming it back in > the mounting. Once we had a good spark, it started and ran on 2 > cylinders, 1&3. Cylinders 2&4 exhaust valves were stuck open. We > pulled off the side cover and managed to loosen them up after a > great deal of working them up and down with screwdrivers. After > getting compression on all 4, it started after a great deal of > priming and propping. I am sure that the sticking valves were > caused by the lead in the fuel. If anyone has had experience with > the 100LL in the A, I would like to hear about it.> > Don Lane________________________________________________________________________________Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:08:14 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Subject: Pietenpol-List: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note> I was just going to ask the list about others who have been using > 100LL in the model A.> I got the Airworthiness Certificate June 9, and waited till Fri the > 17th for Barry Triplett to make the first flight. The engine > hadn't been run for about a month and when I tried to start it just > to get more time on it before starting taxi tests, I couldn't get > it running. I decided that when Barry got here, we would get it > running. We did, but it took 3 days and he had to leave after just > making a couple of runs up and down the runway. On Fri we > determined the Slick mag had died even though the engine had been > running great the last time that I had it going. The first few > times I ran the engine almost 2 years ago I fueled it with 91 > octane auto gas without ethanol, and it was running fine. At the > present time it is difficult to find auto gas without ethanol near > my home, so I decided to switch to 100LL. I ran it a total of 2 > hours on the 100LL before taking it to the airport. As soon as we > decided the mag was not working, I ordered a new one overnight > delivery and when we got it in the airplane, had to spend some > time getting the impulse working reliably by shimming it back in > the mounting. Once we had a good spark, it started and ran on 2 > cylinders, 1&3. Cylinders 2&4 exhaust valves were stuck open. We > pulled off the side cover and managed to loosen them up after a > great deal of working them up and down with screwdrivers. After > getting compression on all 4, it started after a great deal of > priming and propping. I am sure that the sticking valves were > caused by the lead in the fuel. If anyone has had experience with > the 100LL in the A, I would like to hear about it.> > Don Lane________________________________________________________________________________Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:08:14 -0700 (PDT)
Pietenpol-List: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: "Dortch, Steven D MAJ NG NG FORSCOM"
I was just going to ask the list about others who have been using 100LL in the model A.I got the Airworthiness Certificate June 9, and waited till Fri the 17th for Barry Triplett to make the first flight. The engine hadn't been run for about a month and when I tried to start it just to get more time on it before starting taxi tests, I couldn't get it running. I decided that when Barry got here, we would get it running. We did, but it took 3 days and he had to leave after just making a couple of runs up and down the runway. On Fri we determined the Slick mag had died even though the engine had been running great the last time that I had it going. The first few times I ran the engine almost 2 years ago I fueled it with 91 octane auto gas without ethanol, and it was running fine. At the present time it is difficult to find auto gas without ethanol near my home, so I decided to switch to 100LL. I ran it a total of 2 hours on the 100LL before taking it to the airport. As soon as we decided the mag was not working, I ordered a new one overnight delivery and when we got it in the airplane, had to spend some time getting the impulse working reliably by shimming it back in the mounting. Once we had a good spark, it started and ran on 2 cylinders, 1&3. Cylinders 2&4 exhaust valves were stuck open. We pulled off the side cover and managed to loosen them up after a great deal of working them up and down with screwdrivers. After getting compression on all 4, it started after a great deal of priming and propping. I am sure that the sticking valves were caused by the lead in the fuel. If anyone has had experience with the 100LL in the A, I would like to hear about it.Don Lane________________________________________________________________________________
I was just going to ask the list about others who have been using 100LL in the model A.I got the Airworthiness Certificate June 9, and waited till Fri the 17th for Barry Triplett to make the first flight. The engine hadn't been run for about a month and when I tried to start it just to get more time on it before starting taxi tests, I couldn't get it running. I decided that when Barry got here, we would get it running. We did, but it took 3 days and he had to leave after just making a couple of runs up and down the runway. On Fri we determined the Slick mag had died even though the engine had been running great the last time that I had it going. The first few times I ran the engine almost 2 years ago I fueled it with 91 octane auto gas without ethanol, and it was running fine. At the present time it is difficult to find auto gas without ethanol near my home, so I decided to switch to 100LL. I ran it a total of 2 hours on the 100LL before taking it to the airport. As soon as we decided the mag was not working, I ordered a new one overnight delivery and when we got it in the airplane, had to spend some time getting the impulse working reliably by shimming it back in the mounting. Once we had a good spark, it started and ran on 2 cylinders, 1&3. Cylinders 2&4 exhaust valves were stuck open. We pulled off the side cover and managed to loosen them up after a great deal of working them up and down with screwdrivers. After getting compression on all 4, it started after a great deal of priming and propping. I am sure that the sticking valves were caused by the lead in the fuel. If anyone has had experience with the 100LL in the A, I would like to hear about it.Don Lane________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: NX929DH update....Model A guys take note
Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips"
DonI can give you my experiences from a few years of Ford and Funk engines. Only atouch !I use fresh fuel only if it is "Auto", less than 1 year old.100 Oct will hold out much longer 2 years in a can , and works.Now. I have mentioned a number of times the following.I used to mix Marvel with all fuel, and didn't have a problem, I have been usinga different mix, with the hottest plugs available I.E.,& at the same mix ratio: Amsoil 2 cycle oil : , Clearances of all valves .012", 7.5:1 compression.Nevera stuck valve ! !I have run out of water an flew and added 30 min. oil temps over 350 Deg. and stillnever damaged my Ford. I run inserts and a few mods if you are interestedin the old stuff.I am now trying a horizontal flow radiator, that allows 10" open area up to thewing, and fly very differently. Will be at brodhead again.Pieti LowellRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________
DonI can give you my experiences from a few years of Ford and Funk engines. Only atouch !I use fresh fuel only if it is "Auto", less than 1 year old.100 Oct will hold out much longer 2 years in a can , and works.Now. I have mentioned a number of times the following.I used to mix Marvel with all fuel, and didn't have a problem, I have been usinga different mix, with the hottest plugs available I.E.,& at the same mix ratio: Amsoil 2 cycle oil : , Clearances of all valves .012", 7.5:1 compression.Nevera stuck valve ! !I have run out of water an flew and added 30 min. oil temps over 350 Deg. and stillnever damaged my Ford. I run inserts and a few mods if you are interestedin the old stuff.I am now trying a horizontal flow radiator, that allows 10" open area up to thewing, and fly very differently. Will be at brodhead again.Pieti LowellRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________
RE: Pietenpol-List: Cloudcars Prop Performance
Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Actually I think the 76" diameter has more effect than the lower pitch. Itallows 11% more swept area, moving a larger column of air.Cruise performance with the Sensenich 72 x 40: 2150 RPM yields 65 mphCruise performance with the Cloudcars: 2150 RPM yields 69 mphCalculating efficiencies based on the above gives an efficiency for theSensenich of 79.83%. The Cloudcars has an efficiency of 89.20%.The combination of moving more air and doing it more efficiently is the keyto the Cloudcars performance.Jack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Smith Mountin Lake, Virginia _____
Actually I think the 76" diameter has more effect than the lower pitch. Itallows 11% more swept area, moving a larger column of air.Cruise performance with the Sensenich 72 x 40: 2150 RPM yields 65 mphCruise performance with the Cloudcars: 2150 RPM yields 69 mphCalculating efficiencies based on the above gives an efficiency for theSensenich of 79.83%. The Cloudcars has an efficiency of 89.20%.The combination of moving more air and doing it more efficiently is the keyto the Cloudcars performance.Jack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Smith Mountin Lake, Virginia _____