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07-16-2015, 10:16 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: WV22
Posts: 849
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acam37
I have a NIB Sterba 68X72 for my fresh overhauled 160hp 0-320 carbureted. Both prop and engine have not been flown yet. So what should I expect performance wise? My main concern is top speed in cruise.
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I have the same setup in my -4. On take off and climb, I'm seeing 2500 rpm. At 2450 rpm level and 3000' ft, I average about 140+ mph. With some good air, the Sterba climbs like a raped ape but lacks a bit on the cruise. I'm happy with it though as it is nice and smooth and is still fast.
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RV-4 0320\D3G 160, Whirlwind 200GA 70".
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07-16-2015, 12:07 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 240
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acam37
I have a NIB Sterba 68X72 for my fresh overhauled 160hp 0-320 carbureted. Both prop and engine have not been flown yet. So what should I expect performance wise? My main concern is top speed in cruise.
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I have a 68x72 sterba on a 150hp O-320-nothing, and I get 2500rpm static. My engine might be making more than 150, but if not, the 72" might be underpitched for you.
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Ian
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07-16-2015, 12:21 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lufkin Tx
Posts: 689
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Only time will tell I guess. I heard Ed Sterba can re-pitch the prop if it's not right, but who wants to wait 3 months?
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Arlie Conner (A&P)
RV-4 (N124TT) Sold
RV-8 (N269CP) Sold
RV-4 (N684ML) completed 3-17-19
KOCH Nacogdoches
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07-16-2015, 03:48 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX32
Posts: 1,891
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Prop me up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by acam37
Only time will tell I guess. I heard Ed Sterba can re-pitch the prop if it's not right, but who wants to wait 3 months?
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Arlie,
My Sterba's biggest drawback was speed and utility. My Sterba equipped 150HP RV4 topped out at 155Knots wide open 2800 RPM. In comparison, my prototype Catto (before his current design refinements) topped out at 175 Knots and 2850 RPM, exact same engine/airframe.
It's worth the extra money IMHO...
For what it's worth...
Smokey
PS: Watch the VAF classifieds, a used Catto might just me a perfect match for your wallet/airplane.
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07-16-2015, 03:52 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acam37
Only time will tell I guess. I heard Ed Sterba can re-pitch the prop if it's not right, but who wants to wait 3 months?
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Wood props can be re-pitched, no doubt about it. However, it's much easier to decrease pitch than it is to increase. Blade material is removed when re-pitching so removing material while trying to add load to the engine is somewhat counterproductive.
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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07-16-2015, 04:38 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Alberta
Posts: 84
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We started with a wood prop when we first built our RV-6A. It is a thing of beauty and it would make 2500 + RPM ( I do not remember exactly, its been a long time), but we never got RV like speed out of it.
175 MPH IAS on a good day.
We sent it back to be re pitched and it was no better. The fuel burn was also much heavier than a Lycoming 0-360 has a right to be.
Bought a Sensenitch with spinner through Vans, and in a typical easy cruise setting of 2300 RPM, its 15 MPH IAS faster and fuel burn went from 10.5 to 8 GPH..
And no more re torqueing either.
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RV-6A slow build,
serial # 21681. First flight March 1993
Dec 2019 donation paid
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07-16-2015, 08:05 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redhawk
I'm thinking it's time to replace my wood Culver prop on my -4. I'd like to put on a 2 blade Catto, but with a nickel leading edge and new spinner they are really getting pricey! (almost $4000 !)
Would like to hear any suggestions on favorite wood props for the -4 !
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My favorite was my Bernie Warnke 70x74, which, assuming my ASI and tach were somewhat accurate, yielded top speeds in the 200 mph range at 2850 WOT with my 0320. Even if my gauges weren't totally accurate (which is always a possibility and I never made the effort to check calibration, though GPS ground speed readings appeared to confirm speeds), mine was hands down the fastest of four -4s in my neighborhood (others were running fixed pitch metal), and was only slightly slower than a local RV-8 with 180 hp and CS prop. I attributed the speed to the Warnke prop. So if I were going with a wood prop and not a Catto I’d be checking with Frank Johnson to see if he can duplicate that Warnke 70x74. It's my understanding he should be able to, since he learned and carried on the business from Clark, who learned it from Bernie. I've seen pictures of his props and they look the same as mine, with all the nice laminations and the composite leading edge. Actually, I did contact Frank after my Warnke prop suffered a chip beyond repair, but before I made a purchase a used Catto came up for sale at a reasonable price right in my neighborhood, so I grabbed it. From my experience and that of other -4 owners I've spoken with (not to mention what Catto recommends), I think 70" is the right diameter for 0320 RV-4s.
More discussion and couple of pictures of Performance props found here, if interested, http://www.biplaneforum.com/showthre...hlight=jstreat, and here’s a guy who mounted a three blade on his IO540 300hp custom muscle biplane, painted it fully, and it looks great: http://www.biplaneforum.com/showthre...?t=5601&page=3.
I have no connection with Frank at Performance, just thought my Warnke was a great prop.
Last edited by precession : 07-17-2015 at 03:15 AM.
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08-14-2015, 08:42 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 51
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beauty in the eye of the beholder
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dbro172
What, do they give them things away? A whirlwind or catto including spinner, backplate and nickel plated leading edge are only a couple, three grand. And by today's standards the sterba is one ugly propeller.
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I love sterba props. Light, smooth, great looking
__________________
Tom Mendy
RV6
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