How many issues can you find?

[Dave62]

Two 90 fittings in fuel line from pump to spider. These will certainly cause the possible vapor lock condition .

Dave (Swift Driver)

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by Mel

While it is the duty of the DAR to only make sure that the aircraft meets regulations, He/she may also deny airworthiness certificate issuance for anything he/she feels is unsafe.

I think most DARs go that extra mile to give the aircraft a thorough inspection, informing the applicant of questionable practices.
I know that I will not sign off on anything I'm not comfortable with, and I think my clients appreciate that.

Originally Posted by bill@fusion4.net

I don't think it is futile. Yes there are some that are not built to quality standards, but from looking at most builders projects that I have seen, I think the majority of builders do try to build the best plane they can.

A quality pre-buy is extra important on an experimental.

I wish this forum had a simple "Like" button!

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by Dave62

Two 90 fittings in fuel line from pump to spider. These will certainly cause the possible vapor lock condition .

Dave (Swift Driver)

I believe the 90 degree fitting at the spider end is an approved Lycoming part.

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by az_gila

I believe the 90 degree fitting at the spider end is an approved Lycoming part.

Yes, but laying the fuel line just above the #3 cylinder is bad news.

[Low Pass]

Originally Posted by Dave62

Two 90 fittings in fuel line from pump to spider. These will certainly cause the possible vapor lock condition .

Dave (Swift Driver)

How? By becoming heat sinks?

Originally Posted by N941WR

Yes, but the laying just above the #3 cylinder is bad news.

Why??

I see some issues here, but not as many as all this "someone's gonna spontaneously combust" indignation warrants. I've seen rental planes with similar conditions under the cowl.

[JonJay]

Originally Posted by Low Pass

How? By becoming heat sinks?


Why??

I see some issues here, but not as many as all this "someone's gonna spontaneously combust" indignation warrants. I've seen rental planes with similar conditions under the cowl.

There is a difference between "poor craftsmanship" and dangerous practices. I have to agree with you, however, I would not accept it.

Examples - Why isn't the "spider" in it's "normal" location between #1 and #3 cylinders? You could easily solve the unnecessary long fuel line run and clean up the injector lines.
Tie wraps on engine mounts? Still debatable. I apply a few wraps of silicon tape around the mount, but still use tie wraps.
Inter-cylinder baffles? Stupid enough to put them on the top side in a top pressure plenum, big alarm bells go off about the rest of the build.....

I could go on.

[Low Pass]

Originally Posted by JonJay

There is a difference between "poor craftsmanship" and dangerous practices. I have to agree with you, however, I would not accept it.

Examples - Why isn't the "spider" in it's "normal" location between #1 and #3 cylinders? You could easily solve the unnecessary long fuel line run and clean up the injector lines.
Tie wraps on engine mounts? Still debatable. I apply a few wraps of silicon tape around the mount, but still use tie wraps.
Inter-cylinder baffles? Stupid enough to put them on the top side in a top pressure plenum, big alarm bells go off about the rest of the build.....

I could go on.

Yep. Guess all the righteous indignation struck me a little wrong. Especially since the guy asked for and received help correcting several of these issues.

[krw5927]

Let's keep in mind that these issues DID in fact add up to what must be considered a "dangerous practice". When the fan stops turning simply because the electric pump is switched off, that is a very dangerous situation.

[Mike S]

So, how many hours has this plane flown before your friend bought it???

Obviously there is empirical evidence that some of the dire warnings so far may be just a bit pessimistic.

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by Mike S

So, how many hours has this plane flown before your friend bought it???

Obviously there is empirical evidence that some of the dire warnings so far may be just a bit pessimistic.

No idea, I didn't ask. All I did was help arrange for him to get these issues corrected, which he did. He reported back that the plane is now operating as expected.

These pictures were not posted to flame anyone or trash a guy's purchase but as a learning tool for those who are still building.

If someone has a good, clean installation, can you send me your pictures and I'll post them anonymously as a comparison for best practices. (I have a carb, otherwise I would post my pictures.)