Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: javier cruz
John wrote:>The A engine is 200 cu.in. displacement and depending on how well you>do your research and building it is capable of producing a good 50 to>75 hp. One of the neat things about it as opposed to modern engine>conversions (I'm not knocking you corvair guys) is that it produces>its power at the right rpm for a direct drive prop.To me, the Ford-powered Piet is the quintessential example of the marque, and has to be the most attractive and appealing setup of all. Absolutely beautiful, even with the wackiness of having a radiator smack-dab in front of you. Ask most any homebuilder to picture a Pietenpol in his/her mind and 99% will instantly visualize something like Frank Pavliga's "Sky Gypsy". In case you haven't already found this site- http://users.aol.com/bpanews/ford.html check it out; there's lots of info on the Ford engine, both technical and general. Oh, and check out the motto at the bottom of the page: "Real FBOs Carry Prestone" ;o)That said, I will add that even a "basic" air-cooled 164 cu. in. Corvair conversion develops at least 50% more power than the mighty A, eliminates the fussiness of water cooling, probably costs less, and (I'm not knocking you A guys) develops its power at the right RPM for a direct drive prop! Chevies rule ;o)Oscar ZunigaSan Antonio, TXmailto: taildrags(at)hotmail.comwebsite at http://www.flysquirrel.netSTOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junk ... ______Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 07:58:26 -0800 (PST)

Original Posted By: Edwin Johnson
Just as a side note on engines....a friend and myself had started ourprojects and figured on standard aircraft engines. Went to Brodhead tospecifically watch/compare the different engine choices and came back hometo revamp the fuselages for Model-A engines. We both agreed on this afterwatching the different ships performing, taking rides in differentconfigurations and talking to the owner/operators.Many engines will work and I think someone already hit on this point but -I'll take a well converted Model-A over any poorly rebuilt engine of anysort. It all comes down to whether the man doing the conversion/rebuildknows his groceries or not. I've owned a Franklin powered Piet and had aball in it. I think I'd enjoy flying a Pietenpol if it were powered with ananti-gravity fusion generator pump thing-a-ma-jig. That is, as long as itkeeps running!Bill________________________________________________________________________________Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 10:27:59 +0000 (/etc/localtime)