I just purchased a flying RV-6A after determining that I may never finish my -7 kit in my own lifetime. I have gotten no further on the RV7 than the empennage and wing kits, so I am not as knowledgeable as you folks who have built complete, flying airplanes. An advanced search did not help me much so I'm asking the questions directly.
1. No return springs on rudder pedals = normal? So the rudder cables have lots of slack until one's feet are on the pedals, correct?
2. Very light fuel seepage from sender cover on right wing. I haven't determined whether or not the cork gasket or pro-seal was used. Can I repair in the aircraft or is it easier to remove the tank? Is the removal similar to removing a Piper Cherokee tank (which I have done)?
3. There is a second, more significant fuel leak from the carburetor. Dripped out the drain hole drilled at the FAB low point. Uncowled the aircraft and removed the FAB. Turned on the boost pump and fuel came out of the carburetor throttle bore in a small stream as opposed to drips. Am I correct in suspecting that the float is stuck or sunk? By following posts there seems to the "flavor of the month" as far as carb floats are concerned. Could someone please opine about the correct float (Tempest epoxy?) and how difficult it is to overhaul the carb. 40 years ago I put myself through engineering school working as an auto mechanic, so I have overhauled automotive carburetors. I am, however, ignorant of the differences between a Marvel-Schebler and a Holley, Carter or Rochester and don't have an overhaul manual. Would I be better off paying the big bucks for a Tempest OH unit?
4. The K&N air filter was deliberately mishapened to avoid a protrusion on the bottom of the carb. Is this normal? Or did the previous owner install a filter that's slightly too small?
5. When this aircraft was only 30 hrs. old in 1997, it suffered a nose gear collapse. The logbook notes that the gear leg was replaced without noting the part number of the leg. The aircraft has since flown 400 hrs. I would like to update the nose gear to the most recent SB. Is there a way I can determine whether I have the -2 leg that can be modified or an earlier leg that needs to replaced with the latest version?
The plane flys really nice. It would be nice not to have these problems but I tried to be realistic and not spend every last dime on the purchase so I would have room for contingencies like the above.
Thank you all in advance for the benefit of your experience and good advice.
Larry Tompkins
1. No return springs on rudder pedals = normal? So the rudder cables have lots of slack until one's feet are on the pedals, correct?
2. Very light fuel seepage from sender cover on right wing. I haven't determined whether or not the cork gasket or pro-seal was used. Can I repair in the aircraft or is it easier to remove the tank? Is the removal similar to removing a Piper Cherokee tank (which I have done)?
3. There is a second, more significant fuel leak from the carburetor. Dripped out the drain hole drilled at the FAB low point. Uncowled the aircraft and removed the FAB. Turned on the boost pump and fuel came out of the carburetor throttle bore in a small stream as opposed to drips. Am I correct in suspecting that the float is stuck or sunk? By following posts there seems to the "flavor of the month" as far as carb floats are concerned. Could someone please opine about the correct float (Tempest epoxy?) and how difficult it is to overhaul the carb. 40 years ago I put myself through engineering school working as an auto mechanic, so I have overhauled automotive carburetors. I am, however, ignorant of the differences between a Marvel-Schebler and a Holley, Carter or Rochester and don't have an overhaul manual. Would I be better off paying the big bucks for a Tempest OH unit?
4. The K&N air filter was deliberately mishapened to avoid a protrusion on the bottom of the carb. Is this normal? Or did the previous owner install a filter that's slightly too small?
5. When this aircraft was only 30 hrs. old in 1997, it suffered a nose gear collapse. The logbook notes that the gear leg was replaced without noting the part number of the leg. The aircraft has since flown 400 hrs. I would like to update the nose gear to the most recent SB. Is there a way I can determine whether I have the -2 leg that can be modified or an earlier leg that needs to replaced with the latest version?
The plane flys really nice. It would be nice not to have these problems but I tried to be realistic and not spend every last dime on the purchase so I would have room for contingencies like the above.
Thank you all in advance for the benefit of your experience and good advice.
Larry Tompkins