K

kcameron

Well Known Member
I'm in a bit of a jam. My RV-4 has a burned exhaust valve. Rather than just repair the engine, I've decided that now would be a good time to do the engine upgrades I've been dreaming of. This will require a return to phase 1 testing. The problem is that my airport (KRHV) doesn't allow phase 1 operations.

One option I'm considering is to move the plane by ground to another airport. I assume this means removing the wings but I'm afraid it might be hugely difficult. Perhaps the bolts are very tight or difficult to get to. Maybe there's some other gotcha that will turn the project into a nightmare. Anyway, it's got me spooked.

Has anyone removed the wings from their RV-4? How hard was it?

Has anyone here tranported an RV by ground without removing the wings?

Thanks for any ideas you guys can provide.

Kev
 
RV-4 Wing Removal

Kevin,
I'm assuming you didn't build your RV-4 because if you did, you would have installed the wings and removed them at least twice (of course with not all of the bolts until final assembly). You'll need at least one helper. First, I'd look under the belly where the belly skins overlap the wing skins. See if there are rivets or screws. I decided to do mine half and half in the unusual event I'd ever have to remove the wings (then I'd only have 1/2 the rivets to drill out). You will have to drill out these rows of pop rivets or unscrew all the screws. Remove all wing fairings and flap connector rods. Remove the flooring on either side of the main F-404 bulkhead to access the top and bottom rows of main wing bolts. Hopefully the flooring is all installed with screws (like I did on mine) not pop rivets. You'll need to disconnect both aileron pushrods, any electrical wiring runs (hopefully they have disconnect plugs), fuel lines, and pitot line. Make sure you have wing cradles ready to set the wings in or lots of blankets to lay them on before removing any bolts. There is a rear spar attach bolt as well as a front attach bolt (leading inboard edge of the gas tanks) which will need to be removed. Then the numerous main wing bolts. I'd leave the inboard and outboard top and bottom 4 bolts on each spar until the last, so you can get your helper ready to support the wingtip. This way, you will only have to remove 4 bolts on each wing while your assistant waits. I'd remove the ailerons and flaps to avoid damaging them. The wings aren't very heavy, but proper support is crucial to avoid damaging anything.
My advice is not to remove them unless you really have to, but I don't know how far your other airport is and transporting it down a road with the wings on really wouldn't work too well unless you had the road closed with the help of a police escort...haha!
Good Luck!
 
It might be best to repair the jug and fly it to where you want to go. One cyl is no big deal to R+R. Not like the wings. Ask around, someone has a cyl that you can use/have. In fact, I have some from a 150 hp 320 one is yours if you can use it...........
 
It may be difficult to find a ready and cheap replacement for the cylinder. It's an angle-valve IO-360 w/ 10:1 compression. Thanks for the advice, though. I may try and do a cheap repair on the cylinder and fly the plane to a different airport.

Has anyone here ever transported an airplane by helicopter? I know it would be expensive but is it otherwise practical?
 
Try this
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=18963

It was not too difficult. The worst part was removing the spar bolts. The fuel lines and control rods were in the way. Life was much easier when I used a rivet gun to tap the bolts out. Make sure the bottom wing skin is not attached to the fuse before you try to remove the wings. Ask me why I know that :D I was able to do everything by myself exept pull the wings off. I put some foam on top of a cooler then placed that under the wing to hold it in place. Good luck.
 
How have you confirmed the exh valve is burned? If confirrmed how bad? Can you pull the jug and lap the valve? The last thing I would do is pull the wings for this type of an issue. Even sending the cylinder off for a new seat and have a valve lapped in would be easier and a lot less time consuming IMHO.
 
kcameron said:
It may be difficult to find a ready and cheap replacement for the cylinder. It's an angle-valve IO-360 w/ 10:1 compression. Thanks for the advice, though. I may try and do a cheap repair on the cylinder and fly the plane to a different airport.
Click to expand...
The 10:1 is a function of the piston, not the cylinder.

Repair, or replacement, of that cylinder should not be an issue......

I also suspect finding another piston wouldn't be a problem.
 
Just put the whole plane on a truck. With the proper permits (with the DOT) and escort, I can't imagine it would be a big deal. Just don't go through the McD's drive through.
 
To pull or not to pull...

I moved my RV4 fully assembled, once. I used a flatbed trailer, rolled it up, stood it on it's nose sideways on the trailer and with Sheriff's escort in front, off we went. Difficulties encountered were county road power line clearances and trees.
I recommend removing the wings, it only takes about four hours with a helper, done correctly. It will also give you more insight as to the structure, build quality, etc..

Smokey
HR2
 
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