Don't know his current email, but...
I asked him about his Franklin installation 3 or 4 years ago, and this was his reply:
My machine is the 254th RV-8 kit sold by Van. It was
a slow build that I initially ordered in December
1996. I drilled the first hole in aluminum on 5-1-97.
I know, I could have started the tail sooner, but I
waited to go pick up both tail, and wings together
when the wing kit was ready. At the time, wing kits
were a little slow to be ready.
I decided to use Franklin
power before I even started construction. I knew that
building an airplane, even an RV, was going to be a
pretty formidable endeavor.
At first, I thought I`d build a light weight little
tube and rag puddle jumper type machine....I`ve
already got a fast, cross-country cruiser, (Bonanza
V35A) what do I need another "fast" airplane for. Then
I went to Arlington `96 and saw Van`s prototype RV-8.
You know, the blue one, AKA Franklinstein. At the
time, it was Lycoming IO-360 powered. One look was all
it took. Ever since I rode with Van in the back seat
of his RV-4 prototype, back about 1981 or so, I`d been
an admirer of RVs. Seeing that first RV-8 though
really got me fired up. No lousy tubes and rags for
this cowboy. Anyway, I figured if I was going
to go to all the trouble to build a cool little sport
plane, it was going to sound, and perform as cool as
it looked. The performance was going to come from
power to weight ratio....a 220 Franklin would supply
the cool sound. So much for the idea.....
I couldn`t be more pleased with
how the wt/bal came out. My empty weight is comparable
to other IO-360 Lycoming powered RV-8s. 1110 lbs.
Actually lighter than some. My empty CG is just inside
the fwd limit. I had been told all along that I was
facing a "serious" weight penalty, (which turned out
to not exist) so I was careful to minimize adding
anything that would tend to move my CG fwd. Skytec lt
wt starter, Ellison pressure carb, miniature Nippon
Dinko 40 amp alternator, Hammerhead aluminum gear,
delete the gascolator, etc, etc. I guess it all paid
off.... No, I didn`t use anybody elses FWF kit. At
the time, none existed. I tried to get help with the
engine mount, but got basically nowhere. Ditto for the
exhaust manifolds. Those are the two biggies in any
engine swap. When push came to shove, I was on my own.
By then Van had converted 118RV into Franklinstein, so
at least there was another one out there I could go
look at. Many thanks to Phil Dyke for his patient
indulgence during repeated photo visits to the proto
type shop. Here`s a tip....Never visit Van`s without a
loaded camera. You never know what you might get a
load of. Long story short, I did it all
myself....twice. A local buddy is almost ready to fly
his 220 Franklin RV-8 using my 2nd mount, and exhaust
stacks. His config is very similar to mine with the
exception of prop, and gear legs. And he`s 10 lbs
lighter yet. I`d be happy to help any
way I can if you decide to go this route. I believe
it`s a good combination, and definately a viable
alternative to the mainstream Lycoming. As SGT Hunter
used to say, "Hey, it works for me".
Dave Brand N254LF
