Apparent cognitive issues present long before someone loses the ability to return home. If you want someone like that working on the engine in planes you fly, go with it. I obviously value my life more than you value yours.
I just want to clarify once again that my missing mechanic exhibited no signs of cognitive issues. Any assumption he has based on the news statement linked above is speculation.
Hotel pans. They come in different depths (2.5" below; also 4") and full (21" x 13", below), 1/2 (10.5" x 13"), or 1/4 size. Made in stainless or as semi-disposable in aluminum. Using them as catch pans, I'd be happy enough with the cheap dollar store kind.
Maybe he’s a convicted felon…
When I bought those sheet pans I was only "keeping up with the jones"
Seems like a boroscope would be the first thing to do?
#2
#2
#1#1
The plugs are NGK BR8ES. They are widely used in experimental aircraft. I don't believe Titan approved or disapproved of any particular plugs in their engine. Titan manufactured my cylinders tapped for 14mm auto plugs; no spark plug adapters are used with these plugs in these jugs... Clearly 18 mm aviation plugs were never in the cards.
With your background, you likely know Gene Fulton? Gene is a pilot as well as an engine builder. I asked him how much hp his motors make. He said they started at 2,000 hp, before the nitrous...When I bought those sheet pans I was only "keeping up with the jones"
As I had NHRA top alcohol dragster team and many other teams used the same stuff in the mid 1990s.
So as I got more established in the sport I gained some sponsors and you want to impress them and your fans with nice equipment.
So that is when we got em to keep the pit's clean and be more professional. I had 6 guys helping me at the races. We over hauled the engine after ever run. So lot's of parts cleaning and lot's of trays were used.
30 years later I still use them, at home, at work and at the hangar. One of the best investments I ever made in tools.
Remember Winston drag racing?
Parts cleaner sitting on top the drum, we used gasoline in a tank sprayer to clean parts. And there are my aluminum top tables that stand up to oil and rain.
90 min overhauls and a new clutch every run.
It's nice to simply chuck the old plugs at annual. I replace them with new at about $1.50 each.
I dont know him but I have definlty know/heard of him.If I remembered right he built mountain motor pro stock engines for IHRA.
I’m absolutely no genius on this stuff but is lapping #2 (and possibly #1) and/or maybe reaming them a consideration? Can be done in place without the risks/expense of pulling off a cylinder
I'm a novice at this stuff also. Perhaps that's an option for #1; would have to investigate further to determine where it's leaking. #2 appears to have a burnt valve but it's leaking past rings so I don't see how valve work would help with the compression.
In the second picture you can see notching at the edge of the valve. Way beyond lapping to save it.
I asked the old guy at Gibson's. He sounded confused thinking I was asking about a Continental cylinder. Continental bought Titan who made Lycoming clones. So Continental now owns Lycoming clones. The guy at Gibson's said he didn't have any. Likely there would be something compatible available somewhere. It wouldn't have 14 mm plugs though as they stopped making those cylinders.
Just curious: any estimate re how long to get them? Cost?
Air Power inc in TX lists that particular cylinder as in stock; should ship Monday. They're right at 2k / cylinder. The superior millennium version was widely available (more so than Lycoming cylinders) at around 1.6k each.
Standard conti. Even when literally cloning a lyco jug, they still end up with conti jug life.
Yeah, good question. I know it runs hotter than optimal. I don't operate it such that CHT's go over 400 in climb but it will run over 350 in cruise. Oil temps have been running 220 in cruise recently. This is likely due to high ambient temps plus huge blow by from cylinder #2. While my Titan cylinders aren't subject to the AD's, I read multiple reports on VAF of similar trouble with the same cylinders. Should know more when we get that cylinder off. I'm betting we've got broken rings.
The manner and speed in which misfortunes and tragedy can tear into someone's life is sobering. I hope the man is found safely, but the odds are against it.Update on my mechanic.
Sheriff Fraley said there is a connection between missing person, escaped prisoner cases
Billy Fletcher is believed to be in South Carolina, authorities said.www.johnsoncitypress.com
Word I hear is Victors car, a Toyota 4 runner, has been recovered. The escaped convict was seen on camera wearing a hat and sunglasses identified by Victors daughter as Victors hat and sunglasses. Still no news on Victor. This has really hit our airport hard. Victor is well liked here.News story from South Carolina:
Escaped Tenn. inmate spotted in SC believed to have been driving missing man’s car
Investigators are looking into a link between a missing man and an escaped inmate out of Tennessee.www.wspa.com
The piston pins in both 1 & 2 were about the same. Perhaps slightly more pressure was required to start movement on #1. This is the first time I have removed a piston pin so I don't have a point of reference. I was able to move the pins laterally with about 10 lbs of pressure I would estimate. They had an off white milky substance on the pins, perhaps white lithium grease? I'm going to read on the recommended lubricant now.
