Scott & netters,
I respect Scott's opinion and education/training about the aviation industry
and all his feelings related to the use of aviation related only parts. IN
some applications I agree totally. However, where it comes to engines I have
to respectfully disagree and state a supporting view to all those using and
planning to use auto conversion engines. Great strides in dependability and
safety have been achieved by the auto manufacturers in their engines in the
last years. The success of the little VW stretches back almost as far if not
farther than the Lycoming, & Continental stable. Initially all engines were
water cooled variety, and some of the most successful breeds of planes did not
have air-cooled powerplants, but rather water cooled ( discounting jet powered
). The Corvair is another example of a relatively simple conversion that
allows both budget power, and reliable easily attained parts for upkeep. It
also allows the builder to become acquainted with his engine to better be able
to care for it, which in my 15 some odd years of running an automotive repair
shop was the single most important fact that separated the casual driver who
just put gas in it, from the owner who truly cared for his vehicle. The more
you know about the way it works and why, the better you will care for it.
There is much more than just changing the oil every 50 hours. I totally
support and encourage the use of the VW, Corvair, Subaru, and I personally will
in the future be using either a Honda or GM powerplant in our KR, liquid
cooled, and smooth running, with electronic fuel injection, and PSRU. I hope
for all builders success, but do not feel that everything must be of the
aviation variety to be safe, just good quality and well researched, and tested.
I myself still shudder at the thoughts of people using points ignition systems
when there are so many electronic ones out there that are so much more reliable
and make the engine run so much better. How do you think all of you are
walking out this morning, getting in cold and starting that engine in your car
with not so much as a second thought, one of a thousand times. Think of how
many hours you drive your car trouble free, and when maintained how it keeps
just coming back for more. I can promise you that there are pilots this
morning that will flood their engines out, run the batteries down, and foul out
their plugs this morning at the airport near here. It has happened to me every
winter from "old reliable Lyc". Opinions.......
Colin & Bev Rainey
KR2(td) N96TA
Sanford, FL
crain...@cfl.rr.com
or crbrn9...@hotmail.com
http://kr-builder.org/Colin/index.html
