how to combat middle-aged sag.......!!!!

flyboy1963 · #1 11-13-2012, 01:23 PM

okay, I guess we've all come to expect a little of that....

but, now with 100 hours, I see the conical mount on my -9a has sagged about 1/2". ( carb'ed 0-320, FP)
not a problem with the cowl touching the spinner....yet...but some preventative action is wise.....

What's the best and/or simplest way to correct this?
New lower mounts, new uppers?
Shim the lower engine mount at the firewall?
Fly inverted for the next 100 hrs???

thanks for any feedback!

N941WR · #2 11-13-2012, 02:22 PM

Which mounts did you use?

With my O-290 I had solid rubber mounts and was going to repace them withh Loard mounts.

The solid rubber mounts deform and just continue to deform.

Rupester · #3 11-13-2012, 02:39 PM

On the advice of several people, I installed my cowl about 3/8" below the spinner aft edge, so they would align when the inevitable sag took place. The engine has been hung now for almost 2 1/2 yrs, and I now have 15 flying hours on it, but there has been no perceptible sag in the engine and spinner. So my sight picture over the nose when flying has a 3/8" annular ring view of the spinner backplate.

flyboy1963 · #4 11-13-2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N941WR

Which mounts did you use?

With my O-290 I had solid rubber mounts and was going to repace them with Loard mounts.

The solid rubber mounts deform and just continue to deform.

Bill,
I only see Lord mounts to replace OEM dynafocal type biscuit mounts.....if they have something exotic for conical, I didn't find it, but their site punted me out before I had a chance to look much.

flyboy1963 · #5 11-13-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupester

On the advice of several people, I installed my cowl about 3/8" below the spinner aft edge, so they would align when the inevitable sag took place. The engine has been hung now for almost 2 1/2 yrs, and I now have 15 flying hours on it, but there has been no perceptible sag in the engine and spinner. So my sight picture over the nose when flying has a 3/8" annular ring view of the spinner backplate.

Terry,
you just land waaaaaaaaay too gently!

...or, try letting a couple pounds of air out of the nosewheel???

sorry, nothing but wisecracks today!

sounds to me like you could slice an 1/8" off the back of the top mount and gain a degree or two. ( Caution, it may not climb as well as it did before!?!?!)

scsmith · #6 11-13-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyboy1963

Bill,
I only see Lord mounts to replace OEM dynafocal type biscuit mounts.....if they have something exotic for conical, I didn't find it, but their site punted me out before I had a chance to look much.

I had this problem on my Citabria years ago, and replaced the standard conical mounts with special conical Lord mounts. Solved the problem, lasted a long time.

ArVeeNiner · #7 11-13-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupester

On the advice of several people, I installed my cowl about 3/8" below the spinner aft edge, so they would align when the inevitable sag took place. The engine has been hung now for almost 2 1/2 yrs, and I now have 15 flying hours on it, but there has been no perceptible sag in the engine and spinner. So my sight picture over the nose when flying has a 3/8" annular ring view of the spinner backplate.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem. I hate it! I have over 60 hours on the plane with no perceptible sag but with an ugly site picture.

RV6airplanePilot · #8 11-13-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArVeeNiner

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem. I hate it! I have over 60 hours on the plane with no perceptible sag but with an ugly site picture.

Give us an update at 3 years and 300 hours.

Jerry, please help out here; your plane (now mine) is over 5 years old and the spinner/cowl match is perfect. How did you do it?

Rupester · #9 11-14-2012, 10:50 AM

....misery loves company.

Jerry Cochran · #10 11-14-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV6airplanePilot

Give us an update at 3 years and 300 hours.

Jerry, please help out here; your plane (now mine) is over 5 years old and the spinner/cowl match is perfect. How did you do it?

Hi Dale,

Before it was painted and while flying off the time, I trimmed the back of the cowling to fit better, flew some more, seemed stable so then painted same. Nothing real special the sag was minor.

.