---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sat 12/16/06: 11 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 05:50 AM - Re: engine replacement /Valley Big Twin (Thom Riddle) 2. 06:38 AM - Re: engine replacement /Valley Big Twin (Monty Graves) 3. 07:22 AM - fabric temps (boyd) 4. 08:24 AM - Re: engine replacement /Valley Big Twin (Richard & Martha Neilsen) 5. 10:02 AM - Re: fabric temps (Richard & Martha Neilsen) 6. 01:49 PM - Sport Pilot license () 7. 03:36 PM - Re: Sport Pilot license (Larry Bourne) 8. 03:54 PM - Ultrastar (Dana Hague) 9. 04:35 PM - Propeller Information... (David Lehman) 10. 07:17 PM - Re: Propeller Information... (Richard Pike) 11. 08:32 PM - Re: Propeller Information... (david@davidlehman.net) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 05:50:35 AM PST US From: Thom Riddle Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Kolb-List:engine replacement /Valley Big Twin Monty, ...... Big Twin 4 stroke industrial engines, featured in this months SPORT PILOT magazine, and seen at OSK. on a Kolb Twinstar...... Do you happen to know the specs on the BIG prop they are using on the Twinstar? Typically the Smiths make very large diameter props for superior take-off/climb thrust. Zoom in on their photo from behind the Kolb without the wings mounted. That prop is BIG! Thom in Buffalo do not archive ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:38:28 AM PST US From: Monty Graves Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Kolb-List:engine replacement /Valley Big Twin Yes, The ratio of the redrive is 1.66 and it swings the big prop static at 3500 rpm. Prop is a Culver wood 70 inch diameter, 30 inches of pitch 70x30 pulls 245 lbs with this prop static. I was there when the test was done. Dick Starks (infamous KC dawn patrol) the owner of the Kolb, pulled his single carb Rotax 503 at 250lbs static. different day different scales, and I was NOT present for this pull test.......... so its not entirely a fair comparison, but the 4 stroke is in the ball park with the SINGLE carb Rotax 503 for sure. Weight is almost the same when the 503 exhaust is considered within 5 lbs. And it costs less than a new single carb 503. I personally don't think it will pull and perform as much as the dual carb Rotax 503. And I would agree it is a marginal choice for a 2 seat KOLB.......I personally think two small people..... the engine will do fine in the two place Kolb..... couple of lard butts like me, might be a different story.......I talked to Starks again yesterday on the phone. We have had a beautiful week of DEC weather here in MO, and they have flown the Kolb almost every day this week. He is STILL really happy with the switch. Still less than 10 hrs total, so as the wise man said.......... time will tell..,,,,,,,, specs on the converted engine http://www.generac.com/GeneracEngines/EngineModelsVTwinH.asp 990cc horizontal shaft mode. Also a nice write up of Gene and Larry Smith in Dec issue and this engine, in SPORT AVIATION.....at OSK They have aprox 8 of these engines flying now, most in tractor config most on WWI replicas ........ Starks Klob is the only one in pusher config. Don't confuse this GENERAC engine with a Briggs, they are two totally different engines. Smiths also did some testing with a shorter prop........ Culver 64x34 pulls 240 lbs static at 3200 rpm Monty Graves At 08:49 AM 12/16/2006 -0500, you wrote: > >Monty, > >...... Big Twin 4 stroke industrial engines, featured in this > months SPORT PILOT magazine, and seen at OSK. on a Kolb Twinstar...... > > >Do you happen to know the specs on the BIG prop they are using on the >Twinstar? Typically the Smiths make very large diameter props for superior >take-off/climb thrust. Zoom in on their photo from behind the Kolb without >the wings mounted. That prop is BIG! > >Thom in Buffalo >do not archive > ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:22:16 AM PST US From: "boyd" Subject: Kolb-List: fabric temps Larry: I may be wrong, but thought the fabric tension would relax in extreme cold, rather than heat, if not properly heat shrunk. Ain't got time to check it out in the book right now. john h mkIII larry / john.... I think the fabric does get looser in the cold..... my explanation for it is the alum structure under the fabric gets cold and contracts,,, to a greater degree than the fabric. Boyd ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 08:24:44 AM PST US From: "Richard & Martha Neilsen" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Kolb-List:engine replacement /Valley Big Twin Monty Please keep us posted on that Valley Big Twin. I just looked at the specks on the engine. I'm not sure what all the Smiths have done to the engine but there is plenty of room for performance improvement. The chart on the engine shows the torque falling off just as you get to the working part of the RPM range we fly at. A modification to the cam would fix that and not effect reliability much if at all. On my redrive VW I run the same RPMs (engine and Prop) as the Valley Big Twin and found major performance improvement by using a high performance cam and high lift rockers. Initially I figured I went too far with the valve lift and duration so I tried stock rockers. The stock rockers cut 500 RPMs off my climb RPMs so I went back to the high lift rockers. My cam just starts to make torque in the 1600-2500 RPM range. It is interesting trying to keep a fixed RPM on approach to landing because my engine will not stay at one RPM in that 1600 to 2500 range. There is very little load from the prop below 2500 engine RPM so this works well. The important part is that I get maximum torque in the 3000-3600 range were I fly and need it. The other up side is that engine efficiency is also best in the 3000-3600 RPM even with part throttle. When I look at the torque chart for the Generac I see that torque has fallen off just were you need it. I believe you should cam a redrive airplane engine to get maximum torque right at maximum RPMs. Again my opinions are worth just what you are paying for it. Rick Neilsen Redrive VW powered MKIIIc ----- Original Message ----- From: "Monty Graves" Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 9:35 AM Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Kolb-List:engine replacement /Valley Big Twin > > > Yes, > > The ratio of the redrive is 1.66 and it swings the big prop static at 3500 > rpm. > > Prop is a Culver wood 70 inch diameter, 30 inches of pitch 70x30 > > pulls 245 lbs with this prop static. I was there when the test was done. > Dick Starks (infamous KC dawn patrol) the owner of the Kolb, pulled his > single carb Rotax 503 at 250lbs static. different day different scales, > and I was NOT present for this pull test.......... so its not entirely a > fair comparison, but the 4 stroke is in the ball park with the SINGLE > carb Rotax 503 for sure. Weight is almost the same when the 503 exhaust > is considered within 5 lbs. And it costs less than a new single carb > 503. > > I personally don't think it will pull and perform as much as the dual carb > Rotax 503. And I would agree it is a marginal choice for a 2 seat > KOLB.......I personally think two small people..... the engine will do > fine in the two place Kolb..... couple of lard butts like me, might be a > different story.......I talked to Starks again yesterday on the phone. > We have had a beautiful week of DEC weather here in MO, and they have > flown the Kolb almost every day this week. He is STILL really happy with > the switch. Still less than 10 hrs total, so as the wise man > said.......... time will tell..,,,,,,,, > > specs on the converted engine > > http://www.generac.com/GeneracEngines/EngineModelsVTwinH.asp > > 990cc horizontal shaft mode. > > Also a nice write up of Gene and Larry Smith in Dec issue and this engine, > in SPORT AVIATION.....at OSK > > They have aprox 8 of these engines flying now, most in tractor config > most on WWI replicas ........ Starks Klob is the only one in pusher > config. > > Don't confuse this GENERAC engine with a Briggs, they are two totally > different engines. > > Smiths also did some testing with a shorter prop........ Culver 64x34 > pulls 240 lbs static at 3200 rpm > > Monty Graves > > > At 08:49 AM 12/16/2006 -0500, you wrote: >> >>Monty, >> >>...... Big Twin 4 stroke industrial engines, featured in this >> months SPORT PILOT magazine, and seen at OSK. on a Kolb >> Twinstar...... >> >> >>Do you happen to know the specs on the BIG prop they are using on the >>Twinstar? Typically the Smiths make very large diameter props for superior >>take-off/climb thrust. Zoom in on their photo from behind the Kolb without >>the wings mounted. That prop is BIG! >> >>Thom in Buffalo >>do not archive >> > > > ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 10:02:14 AM PST US From: "Richard & Martha Neilsen" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: fabric temps Hey Guys I stopped shrinking my fabric when the wings were drum tight and starting to make noises well short of the maximum temps. Seems like I heated them to something like 300 degrees. They are sill drum tight in the mid thirty degrees today. What is properly shrunk? I haven't checked it in some time but I have checked the wings near ten degrees and they were still drum tight. How cold is extreme cold? Do not archive Rick Neilsen Redrive VW powered MKIIIc ----- Original Message ----- From: "boyd" Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 10:21 AM Subject: Kolb-List: fabric temps > > > Larry: > > I may be wrong, but thought the fabric tension would relax in extreme > cold, rather than heat, if not properly heat shrunk. > > Ain't got time to check it out in the book right now. > > john h > mkIII > > larry / john.... I think the fabric does get looser in the cold..... > my explanation for it is the alum structure under the fabric gets cold and > contracts,,, to a greater degree than the fabric. > > Boyd > > > ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 01:49:45 PM PST US From: Subject: Kolb-List: Sport Pilot license When I announced having successfully completed the SP checkride with a one-liner and no exclamation points, a lotta folks hereabouts told me I should have more whoop-te-do. Well, the permanent card came in the mail today, so I guess that makes it official. WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Better? ;-) -Ken Fackler Kolb Mark II / A722KWF (but soon to be n-numbered) Rochester MI ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 03:36:46 PM PST US From: "Larry Bourne" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Sport Pilot license Now, THat's more like it, Ken. Congratulations ! ! ! Lar. Do not Archive. Larry Bourne Santa Fe, NM www.gogittum.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 1:46 PM Subject: Kolb-List: Sport Pilot license > > When I announced having successfully completed the SP checkride with a > one-liner and no exclamation points, a lotta folks hereabouts told me I > should have more whoop-te-do. Well, the permanent card came in the mail > today, so I guess that makes it official. > > WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! > > Better? ;-) > > -Ken Fackler > Kolb Mark II / A722KWF (but soon to be n-numbered) > Rochester MI > > > ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 03:54:40 PM PST US From: Dana Hague Subject: Kolb-List: Ultrastar Well folks, I bought an Ultrastar today! Some minor repairs to the trailer that came with it and I'll haul it home tomorrow, some minor work on the plane and it'll be ready to fly... if I have a place to fly it (airport's closing at the end of the month, but that's another story). Anyway, some questions about the plane if anybody can help: I understand there are a few modifications recommended... a wing strut jury strut, and perhaps some other things. Where can I get information about these mods? No information came with the plane. Some time ago somebody was offering scanned drawings and assembly manuals on a CD I think, but I didn't save the info... anybody know about that? When the wings are folded, the ailerons touch the ground. I've seen pix online of Ultrastars with the wings folded and the ailerons folded back down against the wings, but the gap seals don't allow that much travel. Any thoughts on that? I guess I can rework the support that holds the wings up and make it taller. Also, that support only goes into the wings a couple of inches. Seems like it should go farther in; I'm concerned that the wings could slip off the support bar if it bounces on the road. For the trip home I'll secure it with ropes and straps, but it seems it needs a better long term solution. Biggest hassle seems to be that the larger wheels (with hydraulic brakes) the previous owner installed make the plane 2" too wide to fit in the trailer (we mounted the old wheels, sans tires, so I could get it home). I guess I gotta rework the trailer... Any other thoughts before I fly it? I have plenty of T-Craft and Quicksilver time so I don't anticipate any problems. -Dana -- -- Baby oil is NOT made by squeezing dead babies! ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 04:35:02 PM PST US From: "David Lehman" Subject: Kolb-List: Propeller Information... I'm running a Tennessee 66x34 prop on my original Firestar with a 503DCDI... It's like flying around in first gear... I think that the 66" is OK, but I must need more bite (pitch)... Anyone running something similar that can give me some pitch advice?... Thanx... DVD ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 07:17:44 PM PST US From: "Richard Pike" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Propeller Information... Yep. Replace it with a 66" Ivo 2 blade. Richard Pike MKIII N420P (420ldPoops) dna ----- Original Message ----- From: David Lehman To: kolb-list@matronics.com Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 7:34 PM Subject: Kolb-List: Propeller Information... I'm running a Tennessee 66x34 prop on my original Firestar with a 503DCDI... It's like flying around in first gear... I think that the 66" is OK, but I must need more bite (pitch)... Anyone running something similar that can give me some pitch advice?... Thanx... DVD ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 08:32:58 PM PST US From: david@davidlehman.net Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Propeller Information... Thanx Rev.... DVD Do not archive Sent from my SDA phone... -----Original Message----- From: "Richard Pike" Sent: 12/16/2006 7:16 PM Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Propeller Information... Yep. Replace it with a 66" Ivo 2 blade. Richard Pike MKIII N420P (420ldPoops) dna ----- Original Message ----- From: David Lehman To: kolb-list@matronics.com Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 7:34 PM Subject: Kolb-List: Propeller Information... I'm running a Tennessee 66x34 prop on my original Firestar with a 503DCDI.. It's like flying around in first gear... I think that the 66" is OK, but I must need more bite (pitch)... Anyone running something similar that can give me some pitch advice?... Thanx... 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