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1. 07:58 AM - ramblings (Frazier, Vincent A)
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--> Rocket-List message posted by: "Frazier, Vincent A" <VFrazier@usi.edu>
The list has been dead lately... so I rambled some. Vince
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From: Docthrock
Subject: air scoop
Did you even "dress" inside your scoop. I went an looked around your
site, and couldn't really tell. Plans say foam in and improve flow. You
think that's necessary? Lotta space under the sides of that filer tray.
Did you cut and glass in the ramps at the top of the cowl air inlets? I
guess I need foam for that, too. But that could be pink foam real easy.
Matt
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Matt,
Why? I can only get 245+ mph and 2500+'/min (easily) ROC now. Would
glassing it really help? I'd need some proof.
There are two theories... one says that smooth flow is needed. The
other says that the sharp edge keeps the air inside the scoop and the
pressure higher. Um, yeah.... whatever. Honestly, the first one is
probably true, maybe. But is it worth it?
My theory says that it takes less time to not glass the scoop and it's
one less fiberglass joint to crack the paint later.
I have NO inlet ramps glassed to my cowl.
http://www.usi.edu/science/chemistry/vfrazier/2004-06-02/fiberglass%20to
p%201.jpg
The plenum takes the place of ramps. As far as I can tell, my inlets
and outlet are somewhat unique. I did NOT trim the inlets to anything
near what others do. They are relatively small.
Other oddities: my prop governor is OUT of the airstream, and my plenum
is made from ordinary West epoxy which supposedly will sag with too much
heat.
My outlet is probably the smallest that I have seen on any Rocket. I
don't have the funky "step" to my UGLIFs, the bottom of my cowl is held
to the fuselage tightly by a screw near each gear leg... never seen that
on any other Rocket. I didn't trim the length at the rear of the cowl
at all... it's much farther aft than any other I've seen.
http://www.usi.edu/science/chemistry/vfrazier/2004-11-08/N540VF%20coolin
g%20outlet.jpg
Warning.... YMMV. However, my mileage is that my hottest CHT yesterday
was 340 F. It was in the low 60s OAT on the ground. Of course, it
ain't summertime yet either, but so far I've had more problems keeping
things warm than having anything get too hot. Oil temp yesterday was
160F until I closed the cooler door (see below).
I am very happy with the Skybolt fasteners. They help make the cowl
on/off a truly one man operation. In fact, I won't let anyone help me
take the cowling on/off stuff because they just get in the way (and
"helpers" usually help make a new scratch!).
http://www.usi.edu/science/chemistry/vfrazier/2003-08-25/cowl%20installa
tion%2014.jpg
Did I mention that I absolutely love the 3M paint protection tape. It
rules.
I'll tell you truthfully... I would not change anything if I were doing
another cowl today. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Zero!
I also put an oil cooler butterfly door on yesterday. Worked well. I
could raise the oil temps 50 F by closing it off. It still needs a bit
of work. The lawn mower type push/pull control that I installed wasn't
able to make the fine adjustments that I'd like to see. Basically, it
was on or off. I'll get a better, vernier type control for it soon.
http://www.usi.edu/science/chemistry/vfrazier/Additions%20after%2010-27-
04.htm
Balancing the injectors and balancing the prop on on my hot list now. I
can't run LOP without being right on the edge of the engine stumbling.
And the prop balancing just seems like something that should be
investigated at least once to minimize the already low vibes from the
Hartzell 2-blade.
More ramblings:
One of the local weenies at Skylane airport has a Navion that he thinks
is pretty fast. Some time ago, my buddy, John C., was able to run him
down easily in his RV-6 going only 190mph. I spotted the Navion below
me yesterday and felt compelled to show him what 250 looked like. Tom
M.'s passenger once commented about "those planes flying backwards." Oh
man, was he ever! BWA HA HA HA HA! I'm certain that I was at least
100mph faster than he was.
I also spotted a C-172 yesterday. Alas, he escaped into the EVV class C
airspace before I could swoop in for the kill. Then I spotted a DC-9
headed for EVV. This time I ran for cover. I was so upset by having a
faster airplane in my airspace that I felt compelled to strafe my
buddy's shop a couple times. (So, I'm a butthead? Why are you building
your Rocket!??? LOL) My buddy, Keith M., has a Quicksilver GT-500 in
his shop for overhaul. He likes for his friends to remind him that he's
not flying... what the heck, he did the same thing to me last year. I
thought he'd knocked the shingles off of my shop more than once.
I'll post this to the list also... they've been too quiet lately. I
might have to post a few primer comments or start a fight about where
the 3rd wheel belongs. LOL
For the listers: If you're not working furiously to finish your
Rocket.... why not?! Man, these things are a hoot.
Vince
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