Hangar Flying

Hi guys

When I had my Lycoming 235 engine on the Longeze, I heard about wrapping
material for the exhaust pipes.   The manufacturer said it would cure everything
except athlete's foot.   I wrapped mine.  At the time I was doing some "taxi testing".
Those were short - maybe 10 minutes each.   

Cylinders #1  and #3 go to one manifold, #2 and #4 to the other.

After 5 or 6 times, I noticed something; the nuts (holding the exhaust manifolds
on) were looking odd.   I tried to remove them and got 6 off.   The other 2 were
frozen in place with excessive oxidation and flaking off the surface.   Those nuts
were the ones sold by Aircraft Spruce and Specialty for exhaust studs.   I interpret
the result as  that the wrapping caused the studs and nuts to get too hot, causing
deterioration of the metal.

I finally got the last 2 nuts off by filling the deteriorated surface on 2 sides of the nut
down to fit a 5/16" wrench, then turning 120 degrees.   Then filing one 2 sides,
turning another 120 degrees.    Then filing the last 2 sides and turning again.
Eventually I got a 5/16" socket wrench on them.

My "headers" are not wrapped now.

Did I mention that I have been working on this airplane for 15 years?   

Bruce Hughes   

What do you mean by "header"?

If that means the exhaust pipes, it is a VERY BAD idea.

Ask me how I know.

Bruce Hughes

You might try Dorothy Dickey; she was making canard covers a couple of years ago.

http://www.geocities.com/canardcovers/?20076

Bruce Hughes 

First:  Do NOT buy a project unless the manual is with it.  It is ABSOLUTELY
ESSENTIAL.    It may have been sold already on ebay.   There is one for sale now
on ebay #3204212158521.   I have seen those manuals sell for $1000+

Be VERY careful when buying a project.   Have an EXPERT check it out.   There are
few experts around.   Where do you live and I can suggest someone within 500 miles
but I do not know the local guys.   The CSA can be an ENORMOUS help in locating
good local experts.

I bought a project and have it almost finished.   I am the 3rd owner.    When I weighed
it near the end of construction, I found that my Longeze probably is the heaviest one
ever finished.   The excess weight will make it a "dog" as far as takeoff, cruise, and
landing goes.

The 2nd owner accused me of adding the excess weight.   Maybe he is right but I
have no way of knowing if it was already too heavy when the 1st owner sold it.

How do you know if all of the UNI and BID glass was laid up just as the manual says?
We have already lost one Longeze because the glass from the outer wall of the winglet
around under the bottom of the wing was not according to the plans.   That was a fatal
crash.   Burt investigated the remains and the proof is on record.

Bruce Hughes   

This was very informative and made sense until the last sentence.   What do you mean
about the sheet steel?   I don't use steel anywhere that I can avoid it.

Bruce Hughes   

I hope that what I said was clear.   It is obvious once you see the bending.

Bruce hughes   

You are VERY mistaken; CSA is very much alive and well.

If you are not a member, you are missing a good newsletter.

Of course it was more important before the advent of so many
websites that we can use but it is still a very good newsletter
to get.

Bruce Hughes   

The difference in width in the pilot's seat is 2" according to a book by Don & Julia Downe
published in 1981.  "Complete Guide to Rutan Homebuilt Aircraft"

Bruce Hughes