First Run of the Engine
On 8/24/07 we ran the O-360 in our
RV9A for the first time.
We had one minor oil leak which was resolved by tightening.
We also had one low EGT which was eventually resolved by replacing the sender.
No reason to keep our baby in the sun while
she awaits the big event.
Before the first run, I disassembled the gascolator and pumped fuel thru the
wing line and
into a catch basin to clean the fuel line of any filings or bugs. (Thank you
Roger).
Next, I closed the gascolator, disconnected the fuel line from the carb
and let the pump flush the fuel line to the carb & into a catch basin.
I pumped fuel into the carb till the fuel system was pressurized.
We also spun the prop by hand many times,
grounded the magnetos and
let the starter spin the engine whilst the top spark plugs were out.
Next, we primed two cylinders with a little fuel thru the spark plug holes.
It started on the first spin & ran perfectly, and we adhered to the
Lycoming procedures to the letter.
My thanks to Roger for his assistance with the specs and Chet for his unending
help and leadership on this project..
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Getting ready....
I got the honor of the first start.
One spin and she started. My eyes are glued to the gauges.
This is my good friend Mike whose 40 years of engine building guided us thru the
engine assembly.
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Mike, examining the engine over and over again.
No, Mike's not praying, rather, we attached
an oil pressure gauge from my 55 Chevy to confirm the readings
from the Dynon Engine Management System. The Dynon was dead bang accurate.
There was only unresolved issue on this day, low EGT
on cylinder two which
was eventually resolved by replacing the sender.
Mag check was fine and leak down/compression test showed 78++ pounds.
My technical advisors say that conditions on the ground may be very different
than conditions in the air.
Build on!!