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Hartzell prop advice?
Can anyone help me? I am in a position to purchase a Hartzell constant speed prop at a bargain price. The model is C2YK-1BF / F7666A-2. This prop is 74" in diameter and is 2 inches longer than most props going on a RV6A. I would like to put this prop on a Lycoming clone IO -360 180 hp engine. Can any one see any problems with this combonation? Would I be better off reducing the prop by 2 inches? Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers.
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Go for it
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What does less clearance mean? Might pick up more small rocks and pebbles if you do run ups on ramps with small rocks and pebbles. Solution don't run up on ramps with small rocks and pebbles. :D Soft field with lots of ruts, divots, holes, ridges, large molehills and super soft................. I would not go in there in a RV taildragger. Seriously you are giving up a tad of ground clearance and more soft field caution is in order. But a nice fairly flat firm "turf" or "soft-field" (not too soft) will be fine. Close counts in horse-shoes, hand-granates and prop clearance. More the merrier but a good deal is a good deal. :rolleyes: Pilot technique. If you really blow it and smash the nose wheel into the runway from a botched landing, high bounce or PIO (pilot induced oscillation-porpoise) on landing than you'll have problems with any prop. In your case your problem will start 1 " earlier. If you hit your prop on landing you probably bent at least the gear. :eek: 74" will give you great climb and may be a mph less top speed at most. Also if you "touch" the the tip and damage it, you will have rework material. 72" is the official minimum diameter. You can go slightly under 72" buts its not approved, tested or a great idea. |
You'll be fine.
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If the prop can be repaired by removing less than 1" of the tip then it is a VERY minor strike and it is therefore highly probable that less than 1" of the tip was involved in the strike. In other words, given the same circumstances, there would have been NO prop strike if a 72" prop was being used. Personally I plan on going 72" to obtain the max clearance I can get. If I strike the 72" prop then my insurance company is going to have to buy me a new prop rather than repair the old one.....that's good. Performance aside, when it comes to props....less is more. But if in your case it's a really terrific deal...then that's a factor. |
I run a 76 inch on my 6A. No major nicks yet. Should be fine.
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I hope you are not referring to my prop choice here (IVO) :rolleyes:
I'm feeling pretty good that I don't have a Hartzell with 100 hour inspections or a WW with scary blade problems right now. Once a year, I remove spinner and check the 6, 1/2 inch bolts that hold the blades on for torque. Replace spinner. Done. Whole prop new cost me $1700. A friend here does flight training with Rotax powered aircraft fitted with the much maligned IVO also. He has over 2500 hours on his with zero issues. Can't be half bad. :) I hope my certified MT works this well on the RV10. |
prop chop
Think of trimming your Hartzell like staining your hardwood floors dark dark brown. Devaluated. If I came across a beautiful metal prop too long for my plane, I'd leave it for someone who could use it. Just a little long and everything works? Use it. Don't punch the gas when you start your run. That's how props get knicks. A prop 1 inch too long will work nice at altitude.
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The evils of Lycoming
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Hartzell prop
I had the same question about which prop to get. Hartzell recommended the 74" because it can be serviced down to 72" over the life of the prop if needed. The 72" prop cannot be serviced shorter with overhauls. I just picked my prop up a few weeks ago but it is not installed yet.
N980DC reserved RV7-A quickbuild in slow mode |
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I think the salient issue for the original poster is ground clearance. Don't forget that you have a 7 and he has a 6.....there's probably different ground clearance involved. I see a lot of posts here...but no-one is putting actual figures on ground clearance which is the most important factor. For instance if you have +12" of ground clearance then you may as well go for a 74". But if you're down to 8" of clearance it may well make better sense to go with a 72". Then there's the consideration of landing surfaces. On hard surfaces you don't need the clearance you need on soft surfaces, so the type of strips you intend to land on should also be a factor. Builders should not be seduced by the warm and fuzzies of having an extra inch of metal to trim back (that in all probability they will never need). Initial ground clearance is THE bottom line. |
The original poster has a 6A which I also have and with a 76 inch prop, I think I have about 7.5 inches of ground clearance with nobody aboard and have had no issues with picking up rocks. That being said, my airplane has never seen grass strips. The 7A has a much more level ground stance and it seems as though the main gear is longer to me which might give you a bit less prop clearance than on the 6A.
Don't think a 74 inch is anything to worry about on a 6A. |
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