Ever since I have given real thought to using a Corvair engine in my project and looking thru everything about them that I can find, I've had one really burning question that I have WANTED to ask, and haven't. In light of Mark's 3rd engine failure, I just HAVE to ask this question now-
Q:-Why is everyone attaching the prop to the wrong end of the engine? The engine was obviously meant to "drive" the transmission (in the car) from the other end. The crankshaft was designed to impart it's forces towards the back of the engine, not the front. The crankshaft was designed to run a few rather light accessories on the front, but the real work is out the read of the engine. Q:-Has anyone used the other end to power a prop? Q:-Are we trying to go "in" thru the "out" door? I guess it was fate or whatever, but as soon as I made my post today about having picked up my two Corvair engines today, then Mark posted about his third broken crank. I had been looking closely at using an O-235 engine instead, but after listening to all the pro's and con's, I passed on the O-235 engines and someone else got them. Had I known about Mark's engine 2 weeks ago, I might have had the 0-235 engines instead of the Corvair engines. Marks point about maybe getting someone to manufacture a crank for the 'Vair engine is a good and valid one, and I think is one that should be looked into. On the other hand- IF SOMEONE developed an adapter to run the prop from the other end of the crank, wouldn't this be essentially the same thing? OK-OK....I will admit to being "new" to the use of a Corvair engine in a plane and new to the list. I'm sure this topic has already come up at least once before, but may I ask to be humored on this topic and bring it up for a discussion? I mean all of our lives depend on this, so it seems it would be a viable topic?? Oh yeah....I am "new" to Corvair engines in aircraft, but I have a WHOLE LOT of experience in building (high powered supercharged) Corvette engines, so I'm not an engine dynamics dummy. -Barrett (Shields raised and awaiting incoming fire! :-) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I've got a flying story for you, but I'm not sure if it'll be inspirational! If nothing else though, it shows how lots of deadstick landing practice (and prior experience) can pay off . See http://www.n56ml.com/corvair/break3/ for the details. My apologies in advance for the disconcerting content. No condolences required...I'm over it. Again, my apologies to the Corvair Community... Mark Langford ML at N56ML.com website at http://www.N56ML.com
