What tools are needed for basic maintenance

[RV7A Flyer]

Originally Posted by Saville

Sam I've already made arrangements with the FBO chief mechanic to bring the plane to his hangar next week so he can pull, check, clean re-install the plugs.

I already knew I don't know enough to do it myself. People who know me know I'm extremely...and I mean EXTREMELY careful and take no chances. The comment about the Briggs was to illustrate I have practically zero knowledge about this. But more importantly, that I KNOW I have practically zero knowledge about this.

I'm hoping I can get basic info from the mechanic as well as tips, and part numbers. Hopefully he will let me install one while he watches.

You should have noticed the questions I had - such as which plug and which crush gasket. That should tell you that I already know that I don't know the basics.

So you can relax. No need to be spooked.

But just remember that you have to start somewhere. And what my post was intended to to do was lay out the sorts of questions a newbie has to contend with in order to learn.

Sounds like a good plan. Remember the old adage taught to new docs in med school: Watch one, Learn one, Do one.

And read and follow the manufacturer's published maintenance procedures!

[Saville]

Originally Posted by RV8JD

Check out Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1042AE for approved spark plugs, installation guidelines, gaps, and torques values (assuming you're not using auto plugs):

https://www.lycoming.com/sites/defau...rk%20Plugs.pdf


Already have. It seems fairly clear. The only unknowns to this newbie are:

1) the selection of the heat range. I do not know the ramifications of a 40 over a 38 (for example) and

2) selection rationale for E vs BY



A previous poster mentioned anti-seize. Note what Lycoming says on page 2:

3. Use a copper-based anti-seize compound or engine oil on spark plug threads starting two full threads from the electrode, but DO NOT use a graphite-based compound.

Noted that when I read the document yesterday morning.

Thanks for the info and the pointers.

I suppose that once one selects - or knows - which spark plugs to choose, then that leads to selecting the socket, correct?