Mark Y. asked what is involved in converting an auto engine to aero use. Since I'm on the digest, I may not see other replies to this for a day or two so I'll toss in my two cents' worth in the blind. I assume the discussion will be on the VW and Corvair, and I'll let someone else discuss the Subaru since it's the other popular auto engine used in KRs.
In the case of the VW engine, most of the conversions drive the prop off the "wrong" end of the engine as it is used in the car, so the big consideration is providing for driving the prop off the pulley end of the crank rather than the flywheel end. Look at the Great Plains website (http://www.greatplainsas.com) and you'll see reference to their "Force One" hub and the front seal related to this. The other things that need to be considered on the VW conversion are fairly minor and have to do with carburetion, ignition, cooling, and exhaust- which aren't anything different from adapting any engine to the KR. Essentially, conversion involves a careful rebuild of the engine to improve reliability and security. Cooling receives special attention because most (all?) aero conversions dispense with almost all the cooling tin and shrouding, the forced-air cooling fan, and oil cooler setup as used in the auto arrangement. For the Corvair engine, the conversion involves the same considerations as the VW except that the Corvair is driven off the "correct" end of the crankshaft in the aero conversion as it was in the auto. Same issues of a careful rebuild to improve reliability and security that aren't as important in the automotive application. Same issues of engine cooling since all the shrouding and blower are dispensed with, except that the Corvair is not as marginal as the VW in finned areas and engine cooling in general, plus the crankshaft and crankcase are more robust in their stock form relative to the output being asked of them. Do yourself a favor and purchase the conversion manuals offered by Steve Bennett at Great Plains Aircraft Supply and William Wynne, "The Corvair Authority" (http://www.flycorvair.com). It'll be money well spent. Oscar Zuniga San Antonio, TX mailto: taildr...@hotmail.com website at http://www.flysquirrel.net _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
