Preservation plugs

[NYTOM]

I'm storing a new TMX 0-360 on a engine stand that allows complete turning of the entire engine to keep the inside evenly oiled and even have the whole engine sealed in a vacuum bag with two pounds of desiccant to keep it nice and dry but I want to go a step further and install some of those desiccant filled plugs that replace a spark plug in each cylinder to keep the cylinders dry. I thought I was pretty good at tracking down things on the web but I'll be darned if I can't find those plugs. Does anybody out there in RV land know what I'm talking about and where I might find four of those buggers. They look like a glass topped spark plug filled with white crystals that look like sugar.
Tom Norwood
RV-6A N822PM (res)
Sure thought I'd be flying by now. Darn life keeps getting in the way

[Ironflight]

When I had my brand new TMX-360 sitting in my garage/workshop here on the gulf coast, about 20 feet from the salt water, I was a bit nervous about not having desiccant plugs, so I called Mahlon at Mattituck and asked about them. His response was that since I had cerminil cylinders, which can't rust, what was the point? I could certainly buy them if it made me feel better, but his opinion was that they wouldn't be any benefit. (Note: I was only storing the engine for about six months between delivery and first start-up....maybe a longer storage time would make a difference....)

Paul

forgot to answer your questions....sorry....ACS:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ehydrplugs.php

[Vern]

Bought mine from Spruce-look under 'Engine Parts'. They are called

Engine Parts - Spark Plug Accessories
AN4062-1 Dehydrator Plugs 18mm

[Mel]

Tom,
Don't know where you are but if close to the Dallas area, You can come get some from me (no charge). Just looked up your registration. New York might be a little too far.

[NYTOM]

My Dehydrator plugs, along of one of Walter's fuel levers is on the way to my little airplane factory down in my basement thanks to the instant help by Paul, Vern, Mel and a pm from Steve F. This is one of the reasons why I love this site so much. It's like having a direct line to the RV God him or herself (PC language). Whether it's a question on expected # 4 Cylinder head temperatures during cruise flight in light rain during a full eclipse of the sun or a simple question from a dummy like me who can't find something simple, its all here. Thanks Doug. You'll never know how much you've helped my dream.
Tom Norwood
RV-6A N822PM (res)

[vlittle]

Here's a useful tip: When the beads in the plug start to turn pink, it's time to bake them.

I used to bake them in a pyrex dish in the oven, but now I use a microwave... much faster. Just dump the beads into a glass measuring cup and cook them until blue.

V

[NYTOM]

Hey Vernon that is an excellent idea. I usually cook all my dissicant bags at the same time to regenerate them and start early on a Saturday morning because it taks so long. The ones from my gun cabinet have the colored indicators on them to tell when there done. I can't wait to try it. Thanks
Tom Norwood
RV-6A N822PM (res)

[airguy]

Caution with the microwave technique! This does not present enough RF load in the resonating cavity to absorb the microwave energy. The high resonant RF loads that result are incredibly hard on the magnetron that creates the microwaves, and you'll SERIOUSLY decrease the life of the magnetron as a result.

On the other hand, microwaves are relatively cheap - have fun! Personally, I'm not willing to risk the political fallout when my wife finds out I nuked her microwave.

[RScott]

Careful with cooking them in the oven--some kinds have plastic that softens at pretty low temps. Other kinds have a cap you can remove, empty out the silica gel, cook it, then refill the plugs.

[airguy]

I believe spec for silica gel dessicant is 250 degrees for 8-10 hours, I use a lot of molecular sieve dessicant (slightly more expensive, but works better) for high-pressure air systems, I get good results drying it at 300 for 2 hours.