---------------------------------------------------------- Zenith-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 01/23/03: 30 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:44 AM - Endorsement (Lowell Metz) 2. 08:27 AM - Re: 601 Canopies....an alternative source (Rick) 3. 08:34 AM - Zodiac photos, photocamera mounting (Dr. Bajusz Huba) 4. 08:40 AM - Re: Wiring diagram downloads? (Rick) 5. 08:48 AM - Zodiac photos, photocamera mounting (Dr. Bajusz Huba) 6. 11:48 AM - Re: Wiring diagram downloads? (ac6qj@earthlink.net) 7. 12:18 PM - Stratus Valve guide failures (HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)) 8. 01:39 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (Larry C. McFarland) 9. 02:23 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)) 10. 02:30 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (The Meiste's) 11. 03:01 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (Don Walker) 12. 03:07 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)) 13. 03:09 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (Don Walker) 14. 03:33 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)) 15. 03:34 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (David & Maria Lumgair) 16. 03:35 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)) 17. 03:42 PM - 701 cowl questions (mike sinclair) 18. 03:44 PM - Sebastian to be on Kitplane Radio (Gig Giacona) 19. 05:14 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (Bill Cardell) 20. 05:36 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (Dave Alberti) 21. 05:49 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (Don Walker) 22. 06:10 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (David & Maria Lumgair) 23. 06:41 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (The Meiste's) 24. 06:52 PM - Re: Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (Michael Stempf) 25. 06:55 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (jackie b johnson) 26. 07:04 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (STEFREE@aol.com) 27. 07:29 PM - Re: Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (Phil Maxson) 28. 07:32 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (David & Maria Lumgair) 29. 08:21 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (Don Walker) 30. 08:27 PM - Re: Stratus Valve guide failures (Don Walker) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:44:01 AM PST US From: Lowell Metz Subject: Zenith-List: Endorsement --> Zenith-List message posted by: Lowell Metz This is not an ad but certainly and endorsement for some fine folks I met . Yesterday I drove over to Stuart FL. and met Danny of SKYSHOP Inc. I purchased a 912U/LS and cowl for my 701 was impressed with his operation and the availability of ZAC " stuff " with a nice savings. Visit www.skyshops.org I also ogled over a nice 801 and 601 XL and a pair of beautiful floats. Lowell Metz 701 Do Not Archive ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 08:27:31 AM PST US From: Rick Subject: Re: Zenith-List: 601 Canopies....an alternative source --> Zenith-List message posted by: Rick Pete Ferguson wrote: > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Pete Ferguson" > > Here's a link to a new source of 601 canopies. The panel lighting stuff > looks pretty neat also...... > > http://www.aircraftextras.com/ Thanks Pete, excellent timing! I checked them out and decided to buy my canopy from them. They are a couple hundred bucks less than ZAC, and NO STINKING CRATING FEES! (sorry, didn't mean to shout) I'll let you guys know how it looks when it gets here. Rick building rudder pedals and waiting for canopy. ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 08:34:35 AM PST US From: "Dr. Bajusz Huba" Subject: Zenith-List: Zodiac photos, photocamera mounting --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Dr. Bajusz Huba" Dear List, Thanks to everybody for the nice words about my photos: ( http://www.ultralight.hu/zodiac601/zkepgaleria.htm ) There was such a big interest on this topic that I try to answer more detailed together. It is very easy to make a hard attachment point on the wingtip and on the tail for the photocamera. It is only a doubler and two nuts (6 mm) under the skin. And I can fix to this hard attachment point several small tripodhead to adjust the camera. (MHO) the best to have a lightweight digital camera with remote control and with 28mm wide angle converter lens. Tele-lenses are not useful in the air at all. I have tried several cameras. I had earlier an Olympus C2500. Most of the picts were taken with this camera. Now I have a Canon G2 with wide angle adapter lens. This camera kit comes with a remote control as well. I use manualfocus, aperture priority (8.0 or 11) settings and serial shutting mode. With a 128 Mb card I can have far enough picts to find a good one in the series. The nice words of the list inspires me to create a better aerophoto site and to share a larger collection off my pictures. I fly a lot other planes and even delta-trikes as well. I will let you know as soon as this site is ready. I hope I inspired you to take unusual aeroshots. Sometimes it takes me hours and several trials in the air to shot the frame I expected. I wish you to enjoy this type of additional (airphoto)game beside flying. After several months you will always watch the spectacular view with the searching eye of a photographer. And you will remember more details of the country underneath. Huba Bajusz Hungary, Europe ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 08:40:18 AM PST US From: Rick Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Wiring diagram downloads? --> Zenith-List message posted by: Rick WOW!!! Thanks to all who posted and sent private emails. I have the diagrams for the transponder and the comm radio now. What a pleasure to deal with all you guys :) Ray: Yes, I think the Aerosonic encoding altimeter is the 1016. I haven't received it yet, but the ser.# starts with 1016. If you have the pinouts for that model I'd love to have a look at them thanks all, Rick doing wiring diagrams ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 08:48:07 AM PST US From: "Dr. Bajusz Huba" Subject: Zenith-List: Zodiac photos, photocamera mounting --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Dr. Bajusz Huba" Dear List, Thanks to everybody for the nice words about my photos: ( http://www.ultralight.hu/zodiac601/zkepgaleria.htm ) There was such a big interest on this topic that I try to answer more detailed together. It is very easy to make a hard attachment point on the wingtip and on the tail for the photocamera. It is only a doubler and two nuts (6 mm) under the skin. And I can fix to this hard attachment point several small tripodhead to adjust the camera. (MHO) the best to have a lightweight digital camera with remote control and with 28mm wide angle converter lens. Tele-lenses are not useful in the air at all. I have tried several cameras. I had earlier an Olympus C2500. Most of the picts were taken with this camera. Now I have a Canon G2 with wide angle adapter lens. (Probably the new G3 is even better) This camera kits come with a remote control as well. I use manualfocus, aperture priority (8.0 or 11) settings. I like to use the serial shutting mode on this camera. It makes 4 serial pictures by every shot. With a 128 Mb card I can have far enough picts to find a good one in the serie of the day. The nice words of the list inspires me to create a better aerophoto site and to share a larger collection off my pictures. I fly a lot other planes and even delta-trikes as well. I will let you know as soon as this site is ready. I hope I inspired you to take unusual aeroshots. Sometimes it takes me hours and several trials in the air to shot the frame I expected. I wish you to enjoy this type of additional (airphoto)game beside flying. After several months you will always watch the spectacular view with the searching eye of a photographer. And you will remember more details of the country underneath. >From Grant Corriveau >I would be interested to see some photos under the cowling of your >engine/radiator arrangements - possible? I try to find some earlier photos for you. Now our airport is covered with huge snow and I dont like to work in the cold hangar. >"Jeff Small" >Your photos are spectacular! Is it an effect >of the wide angle, fisheye lens, or have you shortened the wingspan a bit >from the original (plans) 27 feet. You have very good eyes to photos :) Yes, we have shortened both wings about one feet. Huba Bajusz Hungary, Europe ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 11:48:16 AM PST US From: ac6qj@earthlink.net Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Wiring diagram downloads? --> Zenith-List message posted by: ac6qj@earthlink.net >--> Zenith-List message posted by: Rick > > >WOW!!! >Thanks to all who posted and sent private emails. I have the diagrams >for the transponder and the comm radio now. What a pleasure to deal >with all you guys :) > >Ray: Yes, I think the Aerosonic encoding altimeter is the 1016. I >haven't received it yet, but the ser.# starts with 1016. If you have the >pinouts for that model I'd love to have a look at them > >thanks all, >Rick >doing wiring diagrams > Hi Rick, Here's the pin out for the Aerosonic Corp Model 1014 & 1016: +14 Volts DC ................. B +28 Volts DC ................. A A1 ......................... F A2 ......................... G A4 ......................... H B1 ......................... J B2 ......................... K B4 ......................... L C1 ......................... M C2 ......................... N C4 ......................... P D4 ......................... E GROUND ......................... R STROBE / SIG. COM. ......... C A note indicates "Not compatible with Aeromech encoders". DO NOT ARCHIVE -- Best regards, Ray Montagne Cupertino, CA ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 12:18:46 PM PST US From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Subject: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Hi all, I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. This is the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. Stratus tells me I am the only failure they know about with this new style of guide. I wanted to see if there were any others out there to see if there is more of a problem? Thanks Frank ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 01:39:26 PM PST US From: "Larry C. McFarland" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Larry C. McFarland" Frank, Was the failure the result of the guide or modification of the valve? Did it do damage to anything else? Larry C. McFarland - Do Not Archive > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > Hi all, > > I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. This is > the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. > > Stratus tells me I am the only failure they know about with this new style > of guide. I wanted to see if there were any others out there to see if there > is more of a problem? > > Thanks > > Frank ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 02:23:08 PM PST US From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Hi Larry, Oh it always (this is the third time!) does damage to the pistons, If your lucky it won't destroy your entire engine! We are not sure what caused it but the head shop says that there appears to have been excessive heat within the cylinder possibly caused by the running of both ignitions at once. Do I buy this theory? No I don't but in the end what can you do? I have sent a letter to Stratus indicating that I will be fitting an EGT to check for high combustion temps and only ever running one ignition. Beyond that all I can do is run a higher octane fuel to hopefully ensure against detonation. If after that this happens again and the timing is correct (which it was) then something else is going on... Frank -----Original Message----- From: Larry C. McFarland [mailto:larrymc@qconline.com] Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Larry C. McFarland" --> Frank, Was the failure the result of the guide or modification of the valve? Did it do damage to anything else? Larry C. McFarland - Do Not Archive > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > Hi all, > > I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. > This is > the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. > > Stratus tells me I am the only failure they know about with this new > style of guide. I wanted to see if there were any others out there to > see if there > is more of a problem? > > Thanks > > Frank advertising on the Matronics Forums. Share: Share photos & files with other List members. ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 02:30:44 PM PST US From: "The Meiste's" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "The Meiste's" Frank, Gads, that's really bad news, and I'm very sorry to heard you had this problem! Thanks for passing along this info to the rest of us. Can I ask what your temps were running when the failure occurred? I only have 31 hours on my Stratus (with new design guides) & all seems fine so far. Now that winter's here my temps are well within the limits, but very high if OAT is above 70 degrees. Let us know how thing turn out for you. Kelly > I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. This is > the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 03:01:54 PM PST US From: "Don Walker" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" Darn Frank, I am sorry to hear it. I had my first guide failure two years ago at 42 hours. Mikel sent me another head and assured me the other original was unlikely to have a problem. Of course the other original failed..at 250 hours. It was another knurled intake guide. Then ten hours later the replacement head he sent me had one fail. This replacement head failed on another darned knurled guide. So I have had three now..pretty disgusting. Believe it or not, I had a machinist here do the heads for me. He put in oversized guides, honed the bores with a gunbarrel pattern which he put locktight in. He says I will have to machine them out. We'll see. He did them for $50 a head. MIKEL WANTED $200 PLUS A CORE for a head. I had been thinking of making a couple new heads up with the bronze, but now I wonder. WHAT WAS THE NATURE OF YOUR FAILURE? Don Walker, HDS 270 hr. ----- Original Message ----- From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Subject: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > Hi all, > > I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. This is > the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. > > Stratus tells me I am the only failure they know about with this new style > of guide. I wanted to see if there were any others out there to see if there > is more of a problem? > > Thanks > > Frank > > ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 03:07:36 PM PST US From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Engine temps perfectly normal (of course). After it happened twice you can bet I did not even time the engine without the prop on to provide cooling. I have never allowed the engine temp to exceed 210 degrees. To be fair, MAYBE.. There is a high combustion temp/detonation problem (that's what the head shop guy told Stratus, hence the desire to fit an EGT to prove/disprove this theory) Either way the cost is down to me, Stratus did upgrade my old heads to the new design after a knurled guide (a common machine shop botch that apparently was done before Stratus got the heads) for free. If you are having overheating with only 70 degrees outside then your cooling is not working very well, mine works to about 95. If you have the standard ZAC cooling system it does not work very well in any case as the rad is too close to the prop. Most of the air is swishing sideways across the front of the rad rather than being forced backwards thru the rad. Hence it does not cool effectively.... Welcome to homebuilding/experimenting Frank -----Original Message----- From: The Meiste's [mailto:meiste@essex1.com] Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "The Meiste's" Frank, Gads, that's really bad news, and I'm very sorry to heard you had this problem! Thanks for passing along this info to the rest of us. Can I ask what your temps were running when the failure occurred? I only have 31 hours on my Stratus (with new design guides) & all seems fine so far. Now that winter's here my temps are well within the limits, but very high if OAT is above 70 degrees. Let us know how thing turn out for you. Kelly > I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. > This is > the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. advertising on the Matronics Forums. Share: Share photos & files with other List members. ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 03:09:14 PM PST US From: "Don Walker" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" Frank, I am curious about something here. Check the head gasket. I noticed that the gaskets partially cover or completely cover some of the ports for cooling water around the head. All I have seen are this way. I have wondered why this is and if it contributes to this problem. Don ----- Original Message ----- From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > Hi Larry, > > Oh it always (this is the third time!) does damage to the pistons, If your > lucky it won't destroy your entire engine! > > We are not sure what caused it but the head shop says that there appears to > have been excessive heat within the cylinder possibly caused by the running > of both ignitions at once. Do I buy this theory? No I don't but in the end > what can you do? I have sent a letter to Stratus indicating that I will be > fitting an EGT to check for high combustion temps and only ever running one > ignition. > > Beyond that all I can do is run a higher octane fuel to hopefully ensure > against detonation. > > If after that this happens again and the timing is correct (which it was) > then something else is going on... > > Frank > > -----Original Message----- > From: Larry C. McFarland [mailto:larrymc@qconline.com] > To: zenith-list@matronics.com > Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Larry C. McFarland" > --> > > Frank, > Was the failure the result of the guide or modification > of the valve? Did it do damage to anything else? > Larry C. McFarland - > Do Not Archive > > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > > > > Hi all, > > > > I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. > > This > is > > the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. > > > > Stratus tells me I am the only failure they know about with this new > > style of guide. I wanted to see if there were any others out there to > > see if > there > > is more of a problem? > > > > Thanks > > > > Frank > > > advertising on the Matronics Forums. > Share: Share photos & files with other List members. > > ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 03:33:05 PM PST US From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" The nature of my failure, Well as I said the "Jim the machinist" says the heads have been exposed to excessive heat. Failure exactly the same as other guides (so the clip really does nothing except "dissappear") i.e the guide moves out of the hole and gets hammered back and forth, the clip dissappears and the guide slips down and get gets hammered open by the tapered part of the valve...then you look for a field! Once again God was gracious and I made it back home. Ok Then why?.....Maybe running both ignitions simultaneously.....Hmmmm Mykal is now rebuilding heads at my cost.... Frank -----Original Message----- From: Don Walker [mailto:dwalk3dw@msn.com] Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" Darn Frank, I am sorry to hear it. I had my first guide failure two years ago at 42 hours. Mikel sent me another head and assured me the other original was unlikely to have a problem. Of course the other original failed..at 250 hours. It was another knurled intake guide. Then ten hours later the replacement head he sent me had one fail. This replacement head failed on another darned knurled guide. So I have had three now..pretty disgusting. Believe it or not, I had a machinist here do the heads for me. He put in oversized guides, honed the bores with a gunbarrel pattern which he put locktight in. He says I will have to machine them out. We'll see. He did them for $50 a head. MIKEL WANTED $200 PLUS A CORE for a head. I had been thinking of making a couple new heads up with the bronze, but now I wonder. WHAT WAS THE NATURE OF YOUR FAILURE? Don Walker, HDS 270 hr. ----- Original Message ----- From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Subject: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > Hi all, > > I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. > This is > the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. > > Stratus tells me I am the only failure they know about with this new > style of guide. I wanted to see if there were any others out there to > see if there > is more of a problem? > > Thanks > > Frank > > advertising on the Matronics Forums. Share: Share photos & files with other List members. ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 03:34:21 PM PST US From: "David & Maria Lumgair" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "David & Maria Lumgair" > We are not sure what caused it but the head shop says that there appears to > have been excessive heat within the cylinder possibly caused by the running > of both ignitions at once. Do I buy this theory? No I don't but in the end > what can you do? Just for the record, running dual ignitions should increase efficiency and REDUCE Cylinder head temps -especially with dual plugs (which I don't expect on a stratus). Your timing theory could be on target - what do the spark plugs look like when you remove them? Bright white? or with small metallic particles on them that are barely visible to the naked eye? If you see particles I would look at detonation - if not - check for a manifold leak, or if you have a multi carb setup, check for a lean carburator, either of those two will definitely cause heat problems. Dave DO NOT ARCHIVE ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 03:35:07 PM PST US From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" I think if it did Mykal would have told me to open the extra holes up...I hope he would. Good thought, I will ask him. Thanks Frank -----Original Message----- From: Don Walker [mailto:dwalk3dw@msn.com] Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" Frank, I am curious about something here. Check the head gasket. I noticed that the gaskets partially cover or completely cover some of the ports for cooling water around the head. All I have seen are this way. I have wondered why this is and if it contributes to this problem. Don ----- Original Message ----- From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > Hi Larry, > > Oh it always (this is the third time!) does damage to the pistons, If > your lucky it won't destroy your entire engine! > > We are not sure what caused it but the head shop says that there > appears to > have been excessive heat within the cylinder possibly caused by the running > of both ignitions at once. Do I buy this theory? No I don't but in the > end what can you do? I have sent a letter to Stratus indicating that I > will be fitting an EGT to check for high combustion temps and only > ever running one > ignition. > > Beyond that all I can do is run a higher octane fuel to hopefully > ensure against detonation. > > If after that this happens again and the timing is correct (which it > was) then something else is going on... > > Frank > > -----Original Message----- > From: Larry C. McFarland [mailto:larrymc@qconline.com] > To: zenith-list@matronics.com > Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Larry C. McFarland" > --> > > Frank, > Was the failure the result of the guide or modification > of the valve? Did it do damage to anything else? > Larry C. McFarland - > Do Not Archive > > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > > > > Hi all, > > > > I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. > > This > is > > the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. > > > > Stratus tells me I am the only failure they know about with this new > > style of guide. I wanted to see if there were any others out there > > to see if > there > > is more of a problem? > > > > Thanks > > > > Frank > > > advertising on the Matronics Forums. > Share: Share photos & files with other List members. > > advertising on the Matronics Forums. Share: Share photos & files with other List members. ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 03:42:29 PM PST US From: mike sinclair Subject: Zenith-List: 701 cowl questions --> Zenith-List message posted by: mike sinclair Hi all Been back on the list for about a month now after a 1.5 year break. Started building a 701 taildragger in June of 99, got sidetracked and in the last few months am now getting back to it. Got the wings ready to hang and am now working on the panel / forward portion of the project. Hope to be flying sometime this summer if all goes well. My EAA tech counseller has been visiting and I've got my flight advisor lined up for when I get to that point. Now for the question (in a round about sort of way), I've got the Rotax 912 going into this plane. I've also got the fiberglass cowl that came with the kit. I've done a fair amount of glass work myself, and in my humble opinion ZAC's cowl is substandard design and workmanship. Does anyone know of a company product, or good design that will work will this engine? Specifically, I would like to come up with a cowl that has looks along the lines of a Super Cub, complete with the nose bowl type of configuration. The lower portion would have to be modifiable to accomodate the radiator and oil cooler and the way the muffler protrudes below the lower lines of the fuselage. Aluminum would probably be preferable, but a decent design made of glass would work. All suggestions will probably be explored, and thanks for your input in advance. Mike Sinclair ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 03:44:18 PM PST US From: "Gig Giacona" Subject: Zenith-List: Sebastian to be on Kitplane Radio --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Gig Giacona" Thursday, January 30 at 8 a.m. Pacific Sebastian Heintz heads Zenith Aircraft, which turns out kits of six of his fathers most popular designs including the new four-seat CH-640. In segment one, we will talk with Sebastian about in-house training that his company offers at his Mexico, Missouri, plant to builders of this line of kit airplanes. Conventional piston aircraft engines have long been criticized for the lack of advancement found in any recent car or truck. Recently, more modern technology has been introduced on some of these powerplants, and aviation writer Dave Higdon will tell us about new engine systems (FADEC and LASAR) that he has sampled. These systems may help move light aircraft engines out of the dark ages. For decades, air-cooled, flat-four Volkswagen engines have been appropriated out of VW Beetles and mini buses for successful use in homebuilt airplanes and gyroplanes. More often today, these engines incorporate new or improved parts. Steve Bennett, whose company--Great Planes Aircraft Supply--has provided homebuilders with VW-derived engines for 21 years, will talk with us about it. Have a Question for an Upcoming Guest? In an effort to make KITPLANESRadio more interactive, we've decided to start accepting questions from listeners. If you have a question for any of next week's guests, e-mail it to us at radio@kitplanes.com. Be sure to provide your name and location, and we'll read your question on the air. There are three ways to find our what guests are scheduled to appear on the upcoming show. First, read this newsletter each week when it's sent out on Thursday or Friday. Second, check the KITPLANES page on wsradio.com's site -- www.wsradio.com/kitplanes. Third, visit the KITPLANES home page, www.kitplanes.com, and click on the item in the news column that says "Guest Lineup for KITPLANESRadio." Questions can be about anything related to the topic of conversation, whether they are in regard to something specific a guest has done or a general question that the guest would be qualified to answer. Make sure to have all questions in by the day before the show (Wednesday). That'll give us time to collect the questions and decide which ones are relevant to the conversation. How to Listen to KITPLANESRadio We've noticed that some people are unaware that you can listen to the show anytime you want. While you can listen live on Thursday mornings, all shows are archived for later listening. All segments are archived by topic and date, and you can access them anytime. This is one of the main benefits of internet radio -- anyone can listen anywhere, anytime. Here's how to listen: visit www.wsradio.com/kitplanes. If you're listening at 8 a.m. on Thursday, go directly to the Listen Live link at the top of the page. Otherwise, select from the previous segments, which you'll find summarized on the site (click the "Archives: Listen to Previous Shows" link). Shows are archived within 24 hours of their live broadcast Listen with Microsoft Media Player, which is the default player on most PCs. You'll need a 56K modem to listen live, however a 28K modem will work to listen to archived shows. For more information, visit http://www.kitplanes.com/ and click on the KITPLANESRadio banner, or visit www.wsradio.com/kitplanes. ________________________________ Message 19 ____________________________________ Time: 05:14:00 PM PST US From: Bill Cardell Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: Bill Cardell I'm with Dave, the dual ignition should be cutting temps. One big cause of increased temps would be retarded timing. What kind of timing does it run at cruise or full power? Coolant temps? Bill Cardell (TurboDog's Dad) bill@flyinmiata.com Flyin' Miata 1-800-359-6957 (sales only) 970-242-3800 (tech support) http://flyinmiata.com -----Original Message----- From: David & Maria Lumgair [mailto:dlummy@visi.net] Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "David & Maria Lumgair" > We are not sure what caused it but the head shop says that there appears to > have been excessive heat within the cylinder possibly caused by the running > of both ignitions at once. Do I buy this theory? No I don't but in the end > what can you do? Just for the record, running dual ignitions should increase efficiency and REDUCE Cylinder head temps -especially with dual plugs (which I don't expect on a stratus). Your timing theory could be on target - what do the spark plugs look like when you remove them? Bright white? or with small metallic particles on them that are barely visible to the naked eye? If you see particles I would look at detonation - if not - check for a manifold leak, or if you have a multi carb setup, check for a lean carburator, either of those two will definitely cause heat problems. Dave DO NOT ARCHIVE ________________________________ Message 20 ____________________________________ Time: 05:36:08 PM PST US From: "Dave Alberti" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Dave Alberti" And is the timing the same on both ignitions? Dave ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Cardell" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > --> Zenith-List message posted by: Bill Cardell > > I'm with Dave, the dual ignition should be cutting temps. One big cause of > increased temps would be retarded timing. What kind of timing does it run at > cruise or full power? Coolant temps? > > Bill Cardell (TurboDog's Dad) > bill@flyinmiata.com > Flyin' Miata > 1-800-359-6957 (sales only) > 970-242-3800 (tech support) > http://flyinmiata.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: David & Maria Lumgair [mailto:dlummy@visi.net] > To: zenith-list@matronics.com > Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "David & Maria Lumgair" > > > > We are not sure what caused it but the head shop says that there appears > to > > have been excessive heat within the cylinder possibly caused by the > running > > of both ignitions at once. Do I buy this theory? No I don't but in the end > > what can you do? > > Just for the record, running dual ignitions should increase efficiency and > REDUCE Cylinder head temps -especially with dual plugs (which I don't expect > on a stratus). Your timing theory could be on target - what do the spark > plugs look like when you remove them? Bright white? or with small metallic > particles on them that are barely visible to the naked eye? If you see > particles I would look at detonation - if not - check for a manifold leak, > or if you have a multi carb setup, check for a lean carburator, either of > those two will definitely cause heat problems. Dave > > DO NOT ARCHIVE > > ________________________________ Message 21 ____________________________________ Time: 05:49:53 PM PST US From: "Don Walker" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" Frank, for what it is worth, my last two guide failures (one in November and the other in December) both occurred using only one ignition system and engine temps of 175 to 180 degrees. Last summer the highest temps I found were 215 on long climbout. This is well within Stratus published range, as you know. Don ----- Original Message ----- From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > The nature of my failure, Well as I said the "Jim the machinist" says the > heads have been exposed to excessive heat. > > Failure exactly the same as other guides (so the clip really does nothing > except "dissappear") i.e the guide moves out of the hole and gets hammered > back and forth, the clip dissappears and the guide slips down and get gets > hammered open by the tapered part of the valve...then you look for a field! > > Once again God was gracious and I made it back home. > > Ok Then why?.....Maybe running both ignitions simultaneously.....Hmmmm > > > Mykal is now rebuilding heads at my cost.... > > Frank > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Don Walker [mailto:dwalk3dw@msn.com] > To: zenith-list@matronics.com > Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" > > Darn Frank, I am sorry to hear it. I had my first guide failure two years > ago at 42 hours. Mikel sent me another head and assured me the other > original was unlikely to have a problem. Of course the other original > failed..at 250 hours. It was another knurled intake guide. Then ten hours > later the replacement head he sent me had one fail. This replacement head > failed on another darned knurled guide. So I have had three now..pretty > disgusting. Believe it or not, I had a machinist here do the heads for me. > He put in oversized guides, honed the bores with a gunbarrel pattern which > he put locktight in. He says I will have to machine them out. We'll see. He > did them for $50 a head. MIKEL WANTED $200 PLUS A CORE for a head. > I had been thinking of making a couple new heads up with the bronze, but > now I wonder. WHAT WAS THE NATURE OF YOUR FAILURE? Don Walker, HDS 270 hr. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > To: > Subject: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > > > > Hi all, > > > > I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. > > This > is > > the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. > > > > Stratus tells me I am the only failure they know about with this new > > style of guide. I wanted to see if there were any others out there to > > see if > there > > is more of a problem? > > > > Thanks > > > > Frank > > > > > > > advertising on the Matronics Forums. > Share: Share photos & files with other List members. > > ________________________________ Message 22 ____________________________________ Time: 06:10:32 PM PST US From: "David & Maria Lumgair" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "David & Maria Lumgair" Does anyone know the intake/exhaust duration of the cam that Stratus uses? I also need to know the valve lash spec that they request you adjust them to, I have a theory... Thinking too much -- Dave DO NOT ARCHIVE ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don Walker" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" > > > Frank, > for what it is worth, my last two guide failures (one in November and > the other in December) both occurred using only one ignition system and > engine temps of 175 to 180 degrees. Last summer the highest temps I found > were 215 on long climbout. This is well within Stratus published range, as > you know. Don > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > To: > Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > > > > The nature of my failure, Well as I said the "Jim the machinist" says the > > heads have been exposed to excessive heat. > > > > Failure exactly the same as other guides (so the clip really does nothing > > except "dissappear") i.e the guide moves out of the hole and gets hammered > > back and forth, the clip dissappears and the guide slips down and get gets > > hammered open by the tapered part of the valve...then you look for a > field! > > > > Once again God was gracious and I made it back home. > > > > Ok Then why?.....Maybe running both ignitions simultaneously.....Hmmmm > > > > > > Mykal is now rebuilding heads at my cost.... > > > > Frank > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Don Walker [mailto:dwalk3dw@msn.com] > > To: zenith-list@matronics.com > > Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > > > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" > > > > Darn Frank, I am sorry to hear it. I had my first guide failure two years > > ago at 42 hours. Mikel sent me another head and assured me the other > > original was unlikely to have a problem. Of course the other original > > failed..at 250 hours. It was another knurled intake guide. Then ten hours > > later the replacement head he sent me had one fail. This replacement head > > failed on another darned knurled guide. So I have had three now..pretty > > disgusting. Believe it or not, I had a machinist here do the heads for me. > > He put in oversized guides, honed the bores with a gunbarrel pattern which > > he put locktight in. He says I will have to machine them out. We'll see. > He > > did them for $50 a head. MIKEL WANTED $200 PLUS A CORE for a head. > > I had been thinking of making a couple new heads up with the bronze, > but > > now I wonder. WHAT WAS THE NATURE OF YOUR FAILURE? Don Walker, HDS 270 > hr. > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > To: > > Subject: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > > > > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > > > > > > > > Hi all, > > > > > > I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. > > > This > > is > > > the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. > > > > > > Stratus tells me I am the only failure they know about with this new > > > style of guide. I wanted to see if there were any others out there to > > > see if > > there > > > is more of a problem? > > > > > > Thanks > > > > > > Frank > > > > > > > > > > > > advertising on the Matronics Forums. > > Share: Share photos & files with other List members. > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 23 ____________________________________ Time: 06:41:20 PM PST US From: "The Meiste's" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "The Meiste's" > for what it is worth, my last two guide failures (one in November and > the other in December) both occurred using only one ignition system and > engine temps of 175 to 180 degrees. Last summer the highest temps I found > were 215 on long climbout. 175 to 180 & you had a failure (2)? I've touched the "magic" 230 mark several times without a failure. I find it hard to believe each engine has a different tolerance range. Also Stratus recommends not even taking off until you have 180 MINIMUM, even then I only use about 3/4 throttle until things get good and warm. FWIW mine seems very happy to run at 200 -220,and I hope it stays that way (but I'm sure once summer arrives things will change). Kelly ________________________________ Message 24 ____________________________________ Time: 06:52:34 PM PST US From: Michael Stempf Subject: Re: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: Michael Stempf Sorry for the stupid question (new builder here) but what exactly is a Stratus? From the thread it sounds like it is an engine - but I have never heard of it. Thanks for the help, Michael -------Original Message------- From: The Meiste's Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "The Meiste's" > for what it is worth, my last two guide failures (one in November and > the other in December) both occurred using only one ignition system and > engine temps of 175 to 180 degrees. Last summer the highest temps I found > were 215 on long climbout. 175 to 180 & you had a failure (2)? I've touched the "magic" 230 mark several times without a failure. I find it hard to believe each engine has a different tolerance range. Also Stratus recommends not even taking off until you have 180 MINIMUM, even then I only use about 3/4 throttle until things get good and warm. FWIW mine seems very happy to run at 200 -220,and I hope it stays that way (but I'm sure once summer arrives things will change). Kelly > ________________________________ Message 25 ____________________________________ Time: 06:55:09 PM PST US From: "jackie b johnson" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "jackie b johnson" Don't buy your dual ignition theory..I run both all the time..use 95 % car gas..ign is set as per NSI at 33-34 degs, and my temps are steady 200-210 on water,190-200 on oil...at 350 hrs,no problems so far..knock on wood..do keep us informed,w3hat ever you find..thanks Jackie N5JZ -----Original Message----- From: HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1) Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures >--> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > >The nature of my failure, Well as I said the "Jim the machinist" says the >heads have been exposed to excessive heat. > >Failure exactly the same as other guides (so the clip really does nothing >except "dissappear") i.e the guide moves out of the hole and gets hammered >back and forth, the clip dissappears and the guide slips down and get gets >hammered open by the tapered part of the valve...then you look for a field! > >Once again God was gracious and I made it back home. > >Ok Then why?.....Maybe running both ignitions simultaneously.....Hmmmm > > >Mykal is now rebuilding heads at my cost.... > >Frank > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Don Walker [mailto:dwalk3dw@msn.com] >To: zenith-list@matronics.com >Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > >--> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" > >Darn Frank, I am sorry to hear it. I had my first guide failure two years >ago at 42 hours. Mikel sent me another head and assured me the other >original was unlikely to have a problem. Of course the other original >failed..at 250 hours. It was another knurled intake guide. Then ten hours >later the replacement head he sent me had one fail. This replacement head >failed on another darned knurled guide. So I have had three now..pretty >disgusting. Believe it or not, I had a machinist here do the heads for me. >He put in oversized guides, honed the bores with a gunbarrel pattern which >he put locktight in. He says I will have to machine them out. We'll see. He >did them for $50 a head. MIKEL WANTED $200 PLUS A CORE for a head. > I had been thinking of making a couple new heads up with the bronze, but >now I wonder. WHAT WAS THE NATURE OF YOUR FAILURE? Don Walker, HDS 270 hr. > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" >To: >Subject: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > >> --> Zenith-List message posted by: "HINDE,FRANK (HP-Corvallis,ex1)" > >> >> Hi all, >> >> I just had a failure of one of Stratus's valve guides in my engine. >> This >is >> the new style Phosphor bronze guides with a retaining clip. >> >> Stratus tells me I am the only failure they know about with this new >> style of guide. I wanted to see if there were any others out there to >> see if >there >> is more of a problem? >> >> Thanks >> >> Frank >> >> > > >advertising on the Matronics Forums. >Share: Share photos & files with other List members. > > ________________________________ Message 26 ____________________________________ Time: 07:04:56 PM PST US From: STEFREE@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: STEFREE@aol.com Hi List, What does a guide failure "sound like" in the air, and then what are the immediate handling issues? Does the engine just quit and you gotta land immediately, or are you running on reduced power and just better find something quick? On the outside does the engine change appearance or is this completely internal? Does anyone know where I can find a good book on the EA-81 engine so I can see a good "blow out" of the engine so I can even understand fully the issues discussed, and...How do I know if I have the modified valve guides or the old ones. I purchased my engine almost exactly 3 years ago. Sorry for the run on sentence! All of this discussion really has me worried about my engine choice. I am not an engine mechanic by any stretch and I am seriously worried that I have made poor choice. I have not seen on this list anywhere near this type of problem discussed with the Rotax engines. Thanks for your help and insight guys, Steve (Getting close) Freeman 601 HDS, Stratus, 95% complete, should be taxi testing in the spring! If all goes well! N902AL ________________________________ Message 27 ____________________________________ Time: 07:29:30 PM PST US From: "Phil Maxson" Subject: Re: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Phil Maxson" >Sorry for the stupid question (new builder here) but what exactly is a >Stratus? From the thread it sounds like it is an engine - but I have never >heard of it. It is an engine. Try these links: http://www.zenithair.com/zodiac/6-subaru.html and http://www.stratus2000.homestead.com/files/stratusnew/index.htm Phil Maxson 601 XL N601MX ________________________________ Message 28 ____________________________________ Time: 07:32:07 PM PST US From: "David & Maria Lumgair" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "David & Maria Lumgair" Steve - Relax - The soob has been an excellent choice for aircraft for years. Now for the experimental part - every plane is different - and every one has a quirk. Of the probably thousands flying I would dare say that bang for the buck of a soob is right up there if not better than any of the others. As for RoTAX engines - not knocking them - they break too. Bonus with a soob is that the local machine shop can work on them, parts (generally) are at your local auto parts store, and there is a world full of publications on them. I'm going to bang my head against a wall and see what comes out on this valve guide issue, I have a couple friends that build racing engines (for cars) and I might bounce ideas off them too - I've been taking notes off the thread and comparing data... IF ANYONE ELSE HAS A SOOB PLEASE POST YOUR NORMAL COOLANT/OIL TEMPS and the results of your valve adjustments (ie were they generally still within spec and after how many hours.) I have formed a hypothesis now and will let you know my results. Dave ----- Original Message ----- From: Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > --> Zenith-List message posted by: STEFREE@aol.com > > Hi List, > > What does a guide failure "sound like" in the air, and then what are the > immediate handling issues? Does the engine just quit and you gotta land > immediately, or are you running on reduced power and just better find > something quick? On the outside does the engine change appearance or is this > completely internal? Does anyone know where I can find a good book on the > EA-81 engine so I can see a good "blow out" of the engine so I can even > understand fully the issues discussed, and...How do I know if I have the > modified valve guides or the old ones. I purchased my engine almost exactly > 3 years ago. > > Sorry for the run on sentence! > > All of this discussion really has me worried about my engine choice. I am > not an engine mechanic by any stretch and I am seriously worried that I have > made poor choice. I have not seen on this list anywhere near this type of > problem discussed with the Rotax engines. > > Thanks for your help and insight guys, > > Steve (Getting close) Freeman > 601 HDS, Stratus, 95% complete, should be taxi testing in the spring! If all > goes well! > N902AL > > ________________________________ Message 29 ____________________________________ Time: 08:21:02 PM PST US From: "Don Walker" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" Hi Kelly, I think the difference may be in the condition of the engines that roll out the front door. Mine arrived without a dip stick and I was asked if I could find one cause they didn't have one. I had a slight leak in the front engine seal from the get-go and eventually had to change it. Three of the guides in mine had been knurled, which is not an acceptable aircraft practice, but is done frequently in cars. The concentrics in my redrive were not smooth, were too tight and had to be reworked. My dual ignition never worked. The aux ignition would not pick up at all after the engine got to 190 degrees. Mykal sent me two more pickups, neither of which worked. Yet he insisted it was the pickup. I think he is tired of cleaning up Reiner's mess. I know of five engines that have had these problems..so far. I, too, hit the magic 230 a couple of times during my first 40 hours. The failure didn't come until after that. That may just be a precursor to the problem. Like you, I don't take off until I get an engine temp to 180. I never have. But in the winter the temp will sometimes dip a little below this in flight when you pull back the power. This is when one occurred for me. The third was on climb out after pulling the power back and leveling off, with a corresponding temp drop of about 5 or 10 degrees. Don ----- Original Message ----- From: "The Meiste's" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "The Meiste's" > > > > for what it is worth, my last two guide failures (one in November and > > the other in December) both occurred using only one ignition system and > > engine temps of 175 to 180 degrees. Last summer the highest temps I found > > were 215 on long climbout. > > > 175 to 180 & you had a failure (2)? > I've touched the "magic" 230 mark several times without a failure. I find it > hard to believe each engine has a different tolerance range. Also Stratus > recommends not even taking off until you have 180 MINIMUM, even then I only > use about 3/4 throttle until things get good and warm. FWIW mine seems very > happy to run at 200 -220,and I hope it stays that way (but I'm sure once > summer arrives things will change). > > Kelly > > ________________________________ Message 30 ____________________________________ Time: 08:27:38 PM PST US From: "Don Walker" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Don Walker" Dave, My valve guide clearances were still within spec when I checked them after the incidents I previously described. Prior to the initial failure two years ago they were set at the Stratus book spec of .016. Then I changed them to .o14 as amended by Stratus. The next two occurred at this setting. Stratus has them all set equally on intake and exhaust and they are different than the car book settings. Don ----- Original Message ----- From: "David & Maria Lumgair" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "David & Maria Lumgair" > > Steve - > Relax - The soob has been an excellent choice for aircraft for > years. Now for the experimental part - every plane is different - and every > one has a quirk. Of the probably thousands flying I would dare say that > bang for the buck of a soob is right up there if not better than any of the > others. As for RoTAX engines - not knocking them - they break too. Bonus > with a soob is that the local machine shop can work on them, parts > (generally) are at your local auto parts store, and there is a world full of > publications on them. I'm going to bang my head against a wall and see what > comes out on this valve guide issue, I have a couple friends that build > racing engines (for cars) and I might bounce ideas off them too - I've been > taking notes off the thread and comparing data... IF ANYONE ELSE HAS A SOOB > PLEASE POST YOUR NORMAL COOLANT/OIL TEMPS and the results of your valve > adjustments (ie were they generally still within spec and after how many > hours.) I have formed a hypothesis now and will let you know my results. > Dave > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: > To: > Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Stratus Valve guide failures > > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: STEFREE@aol.com > > > > Hi List, > > > > What does a guide failure "sound like" in the air, and then what are the > > immediate handling issues? Does the engine just quit and you gotta land > > immediately, or are you running on reduced power and just better find > > something quick? On the outside does the engine change appearance or is > this > > completely internal? Does anyone know where I can find a good book on the > > EA-81 engine so I can see a good "blow out" of the engine so I can even > > understand fully the issues discussed, and...How do I know if I have the > > modified valve guides or the old ones. I purchased my engine almost > exactly > > 3 years ago. > > > > Sorry for the run on sentence! > > > > All of this discussion really has me worried about my engine choice. I am > > not an engine mechanic by any stretch and I am seriously worried that I > have > > made poor choice. I have not seen on this list anywhere near this type of > > problem discussed with the Rotax engines. > > > > Thanks for your help and insight guys, > > > > Steve (Getting close) Freeman > > 601 HDS, Stratus, 95% complete, should be taxi testing in the spring! If > all > > goes well! > > N902AL > > > > > >