YellerDaisy
Well Known Member
Not a lot of activity here (RV-4 forum) these days so I figured a "maintenance update" might be welcome.
My -4 is an early one, serial number 107, and has been flying since 1984 with a 160hp O-320. She's constantly being updated and received a new glass panel a year+ ago. Early this year, she surprised me with an engine issue (cracked head). So, the factory sprang into action.
She is now sporting a freshly overhauled O-360, new cowling, loads of new parts, and firewall modifications for a future prop governor. As most can attest, many factors were involved with the decision to make such a swap - rarely a simple choice.
I've got ten hours on the new engine (in spite of the heat wave here in the desert SW) and am very pleased with it and the additional performance! Thanks to a lighter cowling and lithium battery, she actually lost a couple of pounds and is now at 970lbs (completely empty except for 6 qts oil). The 'real world' empty weight is 1010 lbs which includes all the 'stuff' that I normally carry (survival gear, tools, & spare parts). She performs normal and acro maneuvers exactly as before (meaning… Great!!) - but with a bit more pep.
Yes, I know... matching paint is difficult. The good news is that I'm a flyer and not terrible affected by such things.
A big thank you to all those that have contributed here over the years. The data archive is super helpful!!
My -4 is an early one, serial number 107, and has been flying since 1984 with a 160hp O-320. She's constantly being updated and received a new glass panel a year+ ago. Early this year, she surprised me with an engine issue (cracked head). So, the factory sprang into action.
She is now sporting a freshly overhauled O-360, new cowling, loads of new parts, and firewall modifications for a future prop governor. As most can attest, many factors were involved with the decision to make such a swap - rarely a simple choice.
I've got ten hours on the new engine (in spite of the heat wave here in the desert SW) and am very pleased with it and the additional performance! Thanks to a lighter cowling and lithium battery, she actually lost a couple of pounds and is now at 970lbs (completely empty except for 6 qts oil). The 'real world' empty weight is 1010 lbs which includes all the 'stuff' that I normally carry (survival gear, tools, & spare parts). She performs normal and acro maneuvers exactly as before (meaning… Great!!) - but with a bit more pep.
Yes, I know... matching paint is difficult. The good news is that I'm a flyer and not terrible affected by such things.
A big thank you to all those that have contributed here over the years. The data archive is super helpful!!