VW Reality

wrote

On a
short-field takeoff, usual SOP with an aircraft engine is to lean to
max RPM with the brakes locked and throttle wide open; do that with
the Soob and the valves will burn real quick.

But it isn't normal procedure for an aircraft engine on a normal take-off.
Full rich, unless you are at a pretty high field.

Recognizing that the valves can burn, what's the problem with giving it
enough fuel too keep the temperatures down? If that means you have to set
your minimum field length a little longer, then so be it.

I'm not defending the soob, but it is wise to recognize the shortcomings of
what ever engine you brung, and run it accordingly. You would be hard
pressed to find _any_ engine that does not have weaknesses.
--
Jim in NC

Until the Franklin parts info post, I thought Franklin was dead and
gone. It seems to me that their air cooled 4 banger has a lot to offer
and right now they have it on special for $6900 but the regular prices
isn't listed.

Anybody know if these new Franklin engines are any good? If they are, a
complete engine for under $7 make me wonder why anybody would use a VW
engine instead of one of these...

http://www.franklinengines.com/

Tony

"Anthony W" wrote

Anybody know if these new Franklin engines are any good? If they are, a
complete engine for under $7 make me wonder why anybody would use a VW
engine instead of one of these...

I have no first hand experience, but I know someone with one, and they
don't have kind things to say, as compared to the other "big two" opposed
engine makers. I don't know of anything specific, though.
--
Jim in NC

Limited experience with a Franklin in a Bell 47 had a lot of lead fouling,
compared with Lycoming engine experience. Different plugs or mags? Also if
there wasn't oil under it before start up, it needed more oil. Not my bird
though. All of the above could be maintenance related?

Stu
"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"Anthony W" wrote

Anybody know if these new Franklin engines are any good? If they are, a
complete engine for under $7 make me wonder why anybody would use a VW
engine instead of one of these...

I have no first hand experience, but I know someone with one, and they
don't have kind things to say, as compared to the other "big two" opposed
engine makers. I don't know of anything specific, though.
--
Jim in NC

"Stuart & Kathryn Fields" wrote in message
.. .
Limited experience with a Franklin in a Bell 47 had a lot of lead fouling,
compared with Lycoming engine experience. Different plugs or mags? Also
if there wasn't oil under it before start up, it needed more oil. Not my
bird though. All of the above could be maintenance related?

I do seem to recall the fact that it leaked a lot of oil.

Also, it seemed to have top problems, with cylinder problems being common.

Again, I want to stress, don't take my word on this; it isn't first hand,
and there is not a lot to go on.

I would think if some digging was done, a person could come up with some
common complaints.
--
Jim in NC

On Feb 8, 2:18 pm, "Morgans" wrote:
Recognizing that the valves can burn, what's the problem with giving it
enough fuel too keep the temperatures down? If that means you have to set
your minimum field length a little longer, then so be it.

I'm not defending the soob, but it is wise to recognize the shortcomings of
what ever engine you brung, and run it accordingly. You would be hard
pressed to find _any_ engine that does not have weaknesses.

But it involved learning the hard way: A burnt valve
immediately after takeoff, with the associated shudder and power loss.
Could have been a bad scene. Nobody had told me about the sensitivity
of those valves, and I didn't realize why they had burned so easily
until I took the head off and had the valves out. They are really
slender.
Point was: After all the fooling around and the unexpected
costs associated with the installation, it wasn' worth it. These
things tend to cost way more than we figure, and take a long time to
sort out. I just want others to know that, so that they aren't as
unpleasantly surprised like we were.

Dan

wrote

Point was: After all the fooling around and the unexpected
costs associated with the installation, it wasn' worth it. These
things tend to cost way more than we figure, and take a long time to
sort out. I just want others to know that, so that they aren't as
unpleasantly surprised like we were.

Point taken.

Auto engine installations are definitely for the person that wants something
different, and realizes that there will most likely be some things to sort
out.
--
Jim in NC

Stuart & Kathryn Fields wrote:
Limited experience with a Franklin in a Bell 47 had a lot of lead fouling,
compared with Lycoming engine experience. Different plugs or mags? Also if
there wasn't oil under it before start up, it needed more oil. Not my bird
though. All of the above could be maintenance related?

Stu
"Morgans" wrote in message
...
"Anthony W" wrote

Anybody know if these new Franklin engines are any good? If they are, a
complete engine for under $7 make me wonder why anybody would use a VW
engine instead of one of these...
I have no first hand experience, but I know someone with one, and they
don't have kind things to say, as compared to the other "big two" opposed
engine makers. I don't know of anything specific, though.
--
Jim in NC



The Franks use a 14mm plug in lieu of the usual 18mm--there's not as
much room between electrodes & porcelain to let the lead balls fall out.
especially the 3 electrode plug which works a lot better than the other
types. Jerry

Jerry Wass wrote:
The Franks use a 14mm plug in lieu of the usual 18mm--there's not as
much room between electrodes & porcelain to let the lead balls fall out.
especially the 3 electrode plug which works a lot better than the other
types. Jerry

According to the website the new Franklin engines have 18mm spark plugs.
I can only assume they discovered that problem.

What I don't understand is how the Franklin engine company ended up in
Eastern Europe. The last I'd heard of them was that the Franklin engine
division was the only surviving department of Tucker motors. From what
I read Tucker brought Franklin because they couldn't get the bugs out of
their own engine design.

Tony

cavalamb himself schreef:
oilsardine wrote:

the modern 'VW engine': http://www.ulpower.com/



I wonder if this could some follow-up to the engine developed for the
Masquito helicopter (see http://home.comcast.net/~aeroengine/Masquito.html)
If so, it is really a Jabiru descendant rather than VW.