Barnyard--- Auto engines

It will be interesting to find out how the fire was caused. I've
pointed out for years that the engines themselves rarely fail but the
ancillary parts can be problematic. If a fuel line broke because of
improper use of materials or using a solid connection rather than
something that flexes, that could cause a fire real quickly.

Even the professionally built Stewart S-51 had a number of engine
outs, none of them caused by the engine itself.

Corky Scott
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Professionally built means what?
Squat?

There are all kinds of "gotcha's".
Hopefully, a few less with the "PROS".
Possibly not. Depends on a number of factors...
and your definition of "professional'.

In the case of the Stewart S-51 with it's choice
of engine and high stall speed, it will remain a
"professional " time bomb for some time to come.

Unarguably, the devil is in the details. Stating the obvious...
there are infinitely less lethal issues to deal with when you fly
with the certified devils and dinosaurs that you know.

The least amount of "gotcha's" will remain with simple
certified aircraft. Next in line are homebuilts with certified
aircraft engines of the same garden variety.The reasons are
obvious... at least to someone like me with 50 years as an
airborne throttle jockey. If you do not concur, a couple
more decades of flight under your belt might help you
see the light and survive 50 years flight, yourself.


Barnyard BOb -

On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 07:38:54 -0500, Barnyard BOb --
wrote:



It will be interesting to find out how the fire was caused. I've
pointed out for years that the engines themselves rarely fail but the
ancillary parts can be problematic. If a fuel line broke because of
improper use of materials or using a solid connection rather than
something that flexes, that could cause a fire real quickly.

Even the professionally built Stewart S-51 had a number of engine
outs, none of them caused by the engine itself.

Corky Scott
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Professionally built means what?
Squat?

Barnyard BOb -

No sorry, that wasn't what I meant.

What I meant was that the engine and installation was done by people
who knew and understood what was and was not airworthy.

Sorry I confused you.

Corky Scott

"Corky Scott" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 07:38:54 -0500, Barnyard BOb --
wrote:



It will be interesting to find out how the fire was caused. I've
pointed out for years that the engines themselves rarely fail but the
ancillary parts can be problematic. If a fuel line broke because of
improper use of materials or using a solid connection rather than
something that flexes, that could cause a fire real quickly.

Even the professionally built Stewart S-51 had a number of engine
outs, none of them caused by the engine itself.

Corky Scott
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Professionally built means what?
Squat?

Barnyard BOb -

No sorry, that wasn't what I meant.

What I meant was that the engine and installation was done by people
who knew and understood what was and was not airworthy.

Sorry I confused you.

Corky Scott


You didn't. You may have aggravated a pre-existing condition.

Keep us all posted on how the Ford is doing.

I'm working on an engine now with aluminum block. It's amazing how deck
height and bearing bosses and all the flanges and alignment can change, or
shift. But then the block is said to be seasoned and can be re-machined,
after which it usually is fairly stable.

I had a rear case on an A-65 dramatically change shape, so bad it had to be
hung up as a conversation piece, which I take to chapter meetings to show
how the bosses for the mags have cocked inwards about 7 degrees apiece and
the mating surface is no longer flat. It's magnesium, though. VW
successfully used magnesium cases for years and years, however.