MFI engine run

We just completed the left engine run for MFI's 310. Next week we will be getting the right engine on the stand and ran also. We will then take them both to Florida to install them.

Enjoy the video! I know its short but if you listen carefully you can hear a big sigh of relief when it starts.

Thanks for visiting, Josh

Going back together

We've been busy this week in the engine shop. All the parts are back in and all of the measurements made. This we've started reassembling both engines and today we finished up the 500 hour inspection of the magnetos.

Jake is installing the silk thread that acts as a gasket on this engine.

Mark is testing the magneto he completed. Our project has 4 magnetos so 4 different people had the chance to do a 500hour inspection. After the inspection is completed the magneto is bench checked before it is assembled onto the engine.
Here is the video of the mag test. Each pin represents a spark plug and at slow rates you can see each plug fire, faster they look like they are all firing at once.

thanks for visiting, Josh

syrup stove

Just a quick note to let you know that we are still here. Overall my upgrades to the syrup stove made little difference and that having god dry wood is the most important part. We've got around 6 gallons of syrup done this but it is not all canned yet. I'll be picking up sap tonight so that we can start the boiling process again for next week. Hopefully we can get another six gallons or maybe a little more.Josh

470 engine build

Jake, Ben and I continue to work on MFI's engines. We have already done alot of work including honing the cylinders, grinding the valve seats and valves, measuring the bearings, corrosion control, inspections and alot of cleaning and painting. Hopefully the engine will start to go back together next week.

We also had a tour come thru from a semi-local camp for troubled boys. Jake is busy explaning the tolerances on our engine by measuring a hair and showing that it was way larger than the gap in the bearings and other surfaces.
Also, we've borrowed a friends 4 wheeler for syrup season to help get all the kids out the the woods faster, but when not at work it is used in play. Here luke is trying to keep it inside the safe speed range that I set for him because he is a speed nut. I like to say he has more courage than he does common sense.
Hannah on the other hand is content to ride at a safe "normal" speed. She sits on the quad like it was a horse, she has excellent posture.

The best part for me is the fact they are having fun and you can hear them laugh over all the noise.

Where is Noah you ask? He is riding our quad but I somehow didn't get a picture of him.

Thanks for checking in, Josh

New Project

I got handed a surprise project, MFI's 310 had a nose gear collapse and so both engines need to be taken down and inspected. I was also asked to supervise Ben Fisher and Jake Heath do the work. We already have the engines taken down and the cranks sent out to be inspected. We are now measuring and ordering replacement parts. I hope to install the engines on the plane in Florida by mid April The kids are helping me was buckets, taps, hoses and lids in preperation for the upcoming syrup season.
I've have most of my taps out and will be picking up my first sap harvest of the season tonight after work. I have 93 taps out this year and hope to get that number up to 100 before this weekend is over.
Tomorrow we make syrup! Check back again to see how it went. Josh