This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:41 pm

Hello Folks:

This is all a very good discussion. I talked to my IA, and he doesn't have the required carb. equipment, and so obviously we can't touch the carb.

However, I would be willing to do it, if the correct experience/infrastructure was in place.

At any rate, Merry Christmas!

Chris

Buchon

Sun Dec 26, 2004 9:49 pm

Yes, Harvard IV this discussion has been very informative, and Happy
Holidays to you too!

I can't address what I'd do if I were you, but a few years ago when I
began to return to aviation I began by getting to know some retired
aircraft mechanics. Some of them are "very grateful", if us "young guys"
help with the grunt work. Get to know an old FAA guy,...most of the new
ones don't know anything about antique aircraft. You might try the EAA,
who may be able to "steer" you towards retired electricians, round engine
guys, etc. Arizona...a retirement state, has GOT to full of these guys.

It's okay to attempt to save money...but NEVER cut corners on Quality!!!
In the 70's as an aircraft mechanic apprentice, my mentor/boss told
me this. "Perform your workmanship with care as if your protecting your
mother...when your done, come get me to check it...I don't want this
machine falling on MY mother!" It pays to have quality back-up!!!

Because of a boating accident and surgical screw-up, a coupla years back
I've had to "shelve" some of my ambitions for aviation. The thought of
"bouncing around" in the air makes my ribcage ache. But if I end up
getting back to flight in an "ultra-lite in dead-air", I'll still have a few
experienced gents checking-my-six!!!

Harvard, good luck and be safe! Long life to ya!!

ps
the "lite", will definately have floats, or a boat hull!! Scaled-down Naval.
"Vintage Lite, 1/4 the Calories...More Filling" ...Hmmmnnnn....
Last edited by airnutz on Mon Dec 27, 2004 6:14 am, edited 3 times in total.

Buchon

Sun Dec 26, 2004 11:50 pm

Jase,
Thanx for your reply...no offense taken..none meant. I was raised around
aircraft, antiques and warbirds. Professionally I began training as an
aircraft wrench and was taking flight lessons. Then the Arab oil embargo
hit...FBO folded up...I pumped gas for awhile. General aviation was not
a good place to be then. No airplanes to fill-up. Worked construction,bored
....joined the Navy and saw the world. I always had a hot
car, and after the Navy accidently got hired as a car wrench. After
dabbling in car racing I realized, "Crap! For the kinda money we were
getting into...I could be flying...and not re-building/repairing every week"!!
So, here I am...trying to get back in...only time will tell what my body
"says" about it! No Jase, I wasn't at WOH in 01..musta' been some other
lunatic!! Regardless, I've enjoyed this thread very much and your posts.
I enjoy reading Randy Sohn's stuff, and how he translates military tech into todays "care and feeding" of Warbirds.

BDK,
Same to you, great discussion. Because of what I "stumbled into", I now
know more than I originally intended!

Glenn,
Thank-you for the clarifation of the differing technological terminology.
Yes, my zenith in motorsport was grinding, polishing, cc'ing chamber
volumes...do it again. The CNC is a marvelous machine! Your in-depth
reply actually clarified an additional question I had regarding the Buchon
story. When the investigators were making their initial inquiries, they
asked the "guy who was supposed to know".."is it carbureted or injection",
the guy replied "well, injected of course". When they got access to the
induction they said, "Uh-Oh!!" Well, you can guess the rest.

Again, I was thinking in mechanical in reference to injection...because of
what I had read or heard about Buchon's Merlin...Float Carb or Pressure
Carb. I was thinking of injection as a 3rd type! Thanx!

So, outside of Flow Checking the jets in a Float Carb..is there no "bench"
procedure for testing these? How the Carb overhaul "successed", is
determined by what you observe "on the ground", during run-ups?
Thanx Glenn

HELLDIVERS,
Thanx fer adding to the confusion! AND, KEEP POSTING IN CAPS...THEY
GIVE MY EYES A REST, THANX!!!
Last edited by airnutz on Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:43 am, edited 2 times in total.

Merlins

Mon Dec 27, 2004 7:56 am

Ran across this while seeking to understand the injection "terminology".
Don't be put off by the Tractor front page. The recovery of a Merlin from
a Spitty, Blue Peter...is there. Click all 10 pages.

The little boy,behind the polished carbs..is Priceless!!
"Look what Daddy brought me!", Page 9

WWW.woodvale-rally.org.uk/02a_informati ... page_1.htm
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