One of the things I still have to do is install instruments in my instrument panel. Well another thing is actually get the instruments too. ;-) I guess panel lighting isn't the most critical issue I'm dealing with but I'd like to hear about options. There seem so many choices now for lighting,...

I finally got my Ford V-6 going again after partially dismantling it to repair a cracked timing chain cover. As I mentioned previously, I'd noticed the crack in the timing chain cover the first time I assembled the engine, but "repaired" it that time using some metalized epoxy that was...

The first episode of Monster Garage in which Jesse James forms a team to build an airplane out of a Panoze sports car occured last night. Unlike just about all the previous episodes I've seen, this team had a lot of people. Rather than save a bit of time by scavenging a set of wings, they...

To be merciful, I've changed the subject heading so that those who don't care to read any more about this subject can simply delete it or skip over without opening it. I figured that there had to be more to Gore's one liner. Politicians don't normally feed ammunition to the opposition so I looked...

Got the Ford 3.8L V6 running Sunday. Finally. I got back from taking a friend flying at noon and finished up buttoning it up. Here's the background: This is a modified 3.8L V6 with a Northwest Aero PSRU. The engine was completely rebuilt with the block baked, bead blasted and scoured, then...

Many of you know this but for those who do not, I'm working on a Christavia Mk4 with a Ford V6 for the engine. Last winter our EAA chapter invited the local DAR to speak during a meeting. The guy turned out to be a crusty old codger who appeared to be of an age where he could care less what...

I keep misplacing the information about a nice tidy circuit breaker panel that you can buy that has the master on it and a buss bar and a number of appropriately sized circuit breakers. Can anyone tell me the URL where this is described? I've been searching for several weeks and have not been...

I'm at the point where I need to start collecting instruments so I can build the instrument panel. As always, I'm a bit shocked at the prices new or reconditioned instruments cost: The typical panel mount radio goes for around $900 to $1300 depending on how much power and features you want. ...

In the latest AOPA magazine there is an article on one of the latest Diamond aircraft which is equipped with dual Garmin G1000's. I was really impressed in many ways by the units. Compared to a normal AI, the things are HUGE, they're something like 10.5 inches diagonally. It's like looking at...

I'm trying to morph a 3/4" outside diameter tube to an aeroquip fitting so I can run 3/4 inside diameter aeroquip hose to an oil tank. Here's the thing, this fitting will be welded to a 3/4" diameter tube so it needs to be steel. In addition, I'd like to find a flat steel fitting, a bung, that I...

I'm looking for a club prop I can use to break in/test an engine. I could use a regular prop I suppose, but the engine will be on a test stand and I'd rather have something with a reduced diameter for safety. The engine will be producing around 180 to 190 hp and I'd like to be able to run it up...

On Thu, 28 Aug 2003 18:03:38 -0400, "Jimmy Galvin" wrote: Hi All: I built a grass strip on my property. I put up a windsock that I bought from Sporty's. It is 18"dia. x 8'1". I has only lasted about 4 months. There are vertical cracks all along the length and I'm sure...

I got a call from the Upper Valley Machine Shop Thursday of last week. Will was headed for Watkins Glenn for the Bush Nothern tour and he wanted me to come down and get my engine, it was ready to be picked up. Will has had the engine for about a year now. His business is a single person operation...

The information below comes from our resident informational wellspring, Ron Wattaja. He stepped into a "debate" between Craig Wall and an auto conversion believer and set the record straight about what was and was not required in the aircraft engine certification test with the following...

Someone expressed surprise that I was now working on a Ford 3.8L V-6 for my engine. Last they'd heard, I was trying to find a certified type. I thought I'd bring everyone up to date. It's true that I had basically given up on using an auto conversion as I was having trouble justifying the cost...

On Wed, 23 Jul 2003 09:10:33 -0500, Jim Willson wrote: Even though I'd be quite capable of doing it, I'll never build a kit airplane. Call me a wimp, but I've assembled too many bicycles on Christmas morning to think that I could be 100% correct in building an airplane. ...

I am planning to attend Airventure for the first time this year. I thought I'd drive up the morning of the 27th and camp for 3 nights. Is it likely I will be able to get a site at that time? How are the facilities? Thx Chris

Wondering if anyone has used this. A local industrial supply house recommended it when I asked about T-88, which they didn't carry. (Yes, I know I can get T-88 from AS or Wicks) It was failry inexpensive so I picked up a half-gallon, and I plan to do some tests. According to the specs sheet it has...

Jim - back several months ago you had an article in either Kitplanes or Custom Planes about a PTT switch. My copy has vanished since the last move. Is there an online copy of the article? A search at Kitplanes.com came up dry. Corrie

Thinking about a hinge like this (end view): ____(O)____ where "___" is the plate, "( )" is the barrel, and "O" is the hinge pin. It would be bolted through the plates to the surface below. The barrel sits "on top" of the plates. Hope that makes sense. It's in tension and/or compression (some...