During my recent post-trip maintenance on the Valkyrie, one little problem I found was a broken end on the horizontal exhaust hanger. On the RV-8, you have two links that angle back and down from oil pan bolts to support the exhaust pipes, and one cross-brace that holds them apart. Each of these three links is made from a piece of reinforced rubber hose and two ?ends? made from a piece of 3/8? stainless steel tube with the end crushed flat and drilled.
I was frankly quite amazed to see that the hole in one of the ends of my lateral link was worn and pulled through! And if you think the link looked bad, you should have seen the Cad-plated bolt that did battle with it! Both were toast, and needed replacement.
Since these parts come with the Vetterman exhaust systems from Van?s, I wasn?t sure if Van would have the ends, so I gave Larry Vetterman a call direct. ?Sure, I?ve got some of those ends, I?m looking at a box of 367 of ?em right here!? was his response. ?I could bring a couple of ?em to LOE this weekend if you want.? How could I turn down an offer of personal delivery? That sounded great ? but with the broken hanger, how was I to get the airplane there?
?Really simple? he said. ?Go to the hardware store and get yourself a piece of 3/8? copper tubing ? aluminum will work, but copper is twice as strong ? not as good as steel, but it?ll last long enough for a trip like that, easy. Cut it to length, smash it carefully so as not to create any sharp stress risers, drill the hole, and you?re all set!?
So ? if you find yourself with worn out exhaust hanger ends like I did, don?t despair ? Larry has replacements ? and you can make a temporary with a trip to your Ace Hardware and Aviation Supply Store. They?re likely to give you six inches of the stuff ? don?t bother with Home Depot ? they only want to sell a 20? coil!
Paul
I was frankly quite amazed to see that the hole in one of the ends of my lateral link was worn and pulled through! And if you think the link looked bad, you should have seen the Cad-plated bolt that did battle with it! Both were toast, and needed replacement.
Since these parts come with the Vetterman exhaust systems from Van?s, I wasn?t sure if Van would have the ends, so I gave Larry Vetterman a call direct. ?Sure, I?ve got some of those ends, I?m looking at a box of 367 of ?em right here!? was his response. ?I could bring a couple of ?em to LOE this weekend if you want.? How could I turn down an offer of personal delivery? That sounded great ? but with the broken hanger, how was I to get the airplane there?
?Really simple? he said. ?Go to the hardware store and get yourself a piece of 3/8? copper tubing ? aluminum will work, but copper is twice as strong ? not as good as steel, but it?ll last long enough for a trip like that, easy. Cut it to length, smash it carefully so as not to create any sharp stress risers, drill the hole, and you?re all set!?
So ? if you find yourself with worn out exhaust hanger ends like I did, don?t despair ? Larry has replacements ? and you can make a temporary with a trip to your Ace Hardware and Aviation Supply Store. They?re likely to give you six inches of the stuff ? don?t bother with Home Depot ? they only want to sell a 20? coil!
Paul