Lamp Lance

Last week Andy and I finished up the assembly of the engine and installed it on the test stand.  It takes a few days to fabricate and find all the necessary brackets, hoses and hardware to run an engine.

 During different points in the test run we compare our numbers on the engine against what the book says we should be getting.  Often as not we need to stop and make minor adjustments to the mixture, idle, prop pitch and others.  Once w have the engine all dialed in we can do a break in run and after the break in we do a 1 hour max power performance and oil consumption run.  If all checks out the engine is finished, removed form the stand and...

 installed on the airframe.  Andy and I have completed this project,  Andy will be moving on to another project and I will be picking up a new apprentice for the next engine.

You'll get to meet him next time.  Thanks for checking in, Josh

Getting ready for Klondike

My 3rd engine showed up last week in the back of a Volkswagen.  It had been driven down from the Montreal area.  It does not need overhauled but repaired.  We will disassemble the engine send out various parts for inspection and repair.  The parts we keep will be inspected and serviced.  Then the engine will be reassembled, tested and returned to the customer.

 The engine I am currently working on has just been installed on the engine test stand.  It is my plan to have the test run and break in done next week.  Then begin tearing down the engine above.

 Noah is working on his Patrol's Klondike sled.  We bent, cut, ground and beat 5/8" steel conduit tubing into a sled shape.  I showed him how to braze one joint and he was off.  He has brazed almost the whole sled together by himself.  We will hopefully be finishing the fabrication off tonight and then it will be off to the paint booth for the final step.  The Klondike derby is next weekend!  The old scout sled weighed over 100lbs.  The new one will weigh in the 20lb area.  A big difference to the 5 or 6 boys who have to push and drag the sled all over camp for a whole weekend.

Thanks for checking in,  Josh