Gotcha'ed again...this time by the oil pressure elbow installation (VA-128)

[Mel]

I just got a note from Larry Vetterman. Larry says that with a dynafocal mount, if you loosen the bottom engine mount bolts slightly, then loosen the top nuts as far as you can without taking them off, the engine will tilt down enough to install the 45 degree fitting. It look like you have a conical mount, but maybe it will work there too. It's certainly worth a try.

[ArVeeNiner]

AFter having slept on it I went out and looked at it again.

A 90 degree fitting won't work either. It too hits the mount. Aircraft Spruce sells adjustable 90 degree fittings. If I got one of these expensive fittings (I think I saw $60-$80) I could either modify it to be a restrictor or adapt it to a 45 restrictor. I'm thinking this is not a great solution. I don't want to get that moment arm too far out...more leverage...more chance of breaking and I don't want to spend that kind of money only to attempt to modify it to be a restrictor.

A straight restrictor and a hose with a 90 on the end as was suggested looks marginal since I'm thinking the hose assembly might get too close to the mount as well. Without one in hand, I don't know how much room it will need and if I buy one and it doesn't fit, I'll be out. By the way, anplumbing.com is a good place for hoses. I bought my braided brake lines from them. Quick service and knowledgeable guys.

I really don't have much to disconnect at this point to enable me to slide the engine out a bit. I don't need to come out much...just a few inches. I'm going to jump in the truck right now and head on over to the airport to get the engine hoist. Maybe on the way I'll have a brainstorm.

Regarding the question about the newer engines, there is one on my hangar mates bi-plane project that I will take a look at when I get to the airport in a few minutes. I'd think that with the tapped hole at 90 degrees to mine, you could spin the 45 degree elbow in it with no interference with the mount.

Thanks for all the advice so far. I'll let you know how it all went.

If you have an older engine, don't get gotcha'ed with this!! You have been warned!!

[ArVeeNiner]

Originally Posted by Mel

I just got a note from Larry Vetterman. Larry says that with a dynafocal mount, if you loosen the bottom engine mount bolts slightly, then loosen the top nuts as far as you can without taking them off, the engine will tilt down enough to install the 45 degree fitting. It look like you have a conical mount, but maybe it will work there too. It's certainly worth a try.

Cool, I'll give it a try right now and will let you know. It's a good thing I took a look before I left for the airport!

[ArVeeNiner]

I just tried backing off the bolts. It doesn't move enough to clear the conical mount. I'm off to the airport.

Thanks for checking Mel!!

[Mel]

Originally Posted by ArVeeNiner

I just tried backing off the bolts. It doesn't move enough to clear the conical mount. I'm off to the airport.

What's that old saying? Kay-Sarah, Sarah.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by ArVeeNiner

I just tried backing off the bolts. It doesn't move enough to clear the conical mount. I'm off to the airport.

Thanks for checking Mel!!

I used a brass ST 45. Ground it down for a more compact fit. Filled the male end with solder and drilled it. The local bearing shop had the fitting that I used to go from 1/8 pipe to 37o flair.

The orig. fitting leaked and I could not turn it to tighten it. I used a hack saw blade and cut it in half after I filled it with grease.
http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/o...1/HPIM1281.jpg

[ArVeeNiner]

All done. That was a lot easier than I had expected. Man, I hope I don't have to remove that fitting any time soon.

Thanks for all the help.

Time to build on!!

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by Mel

The forward port will not give the same pressure reading as the standard one on the accessory case.

Louise's RV-6 had the sensor (for the gauge) screwed in to that forward port when she bought it, and it had apparently worked that way for many years. When we went to the glass cockpit and Dynon engine monitor, we changed it to a more normal configuration - that sensor up there is a lot of weight to get vibrated around. but like I said, the original lasted for a LOT of hours....

Originally Posted by N130WN

So how do things differ for a "newer" engine? A straight fitting can be used? Doesn't look like Van's sells a straight one....

Newer engines have a port that goes straight aft right near the one that comes out the side and interferes with the engine mount. It's not hard to make your own straight restrictor fitting and come right off the back of an already-installed engine.

Paul