Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and RV-filled weekend!
v/r,dr
Storing Tailcone
…Fisherpd PIREP
I stored mine vertically. I cleco'd short blocks of wood to the holes left open at each seam and then put straps across the face to hold the shape and keep the edges off the floor. I had to take the stabilator off because of the ceiling height - you may not have to.

ShawnR
…RV-4 build update
With winter brings me back to working on the -4. Today's project is the carb heat muff. I have found a few threads with images o the topic, but not a lot of images.. A friend saw mine and felt it was way too big. I was wondering what most have in their 4? I could not find a lot of direction in the plans so it sounds like each to his own devices on this aspect. Attached is what I have. There are 3 aluminum channels inside that hold the shell off of the pipe. They are worn and the whole assembly rattles around so I was going to address that when the question of whether it is appropriate came up. I see that Van's sells a small cross tube but it does not look like it would be overly effective. However, I do not know. Any input for me?

RE: Terminal Blocks.
…george mohr
We used terminal blocks for the stick wiring connections. They should have lock washers for the screws.

David Paule RV-3B Update
While awaiting Van’s response to my filter question, I decided to make a wear plate that fits under the filter to protect the fiberglass air box. I had some extra titanium sheet, .020 thick, that I decided to use. It’s Grade 2 or Grade 3 and cuts like a stiffer sort of aluminum. Unfortunately titanium is 60% denser than aluminum, and this piece weighs 53 grams. I’d cut a hole in the middle if I could figure out how to make an elliptical cut-out. For reference, a 2.5” diameter round hole would only save 7 grams.

RE: Lycoming engine mount ear hardware
…N49ex
This might be a topic already beaten to death in other threads, but here goes just in case - Just mounted the Thunderbolt I/O-540 on my friend's RV-10, including first attaching the mount ears which Lycoming had kindly included in a cardboard box rather than shipping the engine with them on. Seems they are masochists who enjoy knowing the agony of torquing those lower back nuts!
If you can get a socket to fit at all, it's pretty much impossible to drive it with a torque wrench. A crow's foot can't fit with any kind of significant rotational angle. So we broke out the torch and bent a 9/16th" box end wrench to fit and angle past the ear, pictures attached. 90 degree bends at both ends of the wrench which can then be driven with the torque wrench via a bolt with a couple of nuts on it.

Early Christmas
…Paul Dye

Terminal Block PIREP
…cajunwings
I used a terminal block to terminate wing wiring. It’s secured to the belly skin with countersunk #8 screws. I would check the torque on the terminal screws at inspection time.

OFF TOPIC:

Get your VansAirForce.net Charity Cap!
Please consider donating yearly to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Older issues of the ‘VAF News’ can be found at:
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
v/r,dr
Storing Tailcone
…Fisherpd PIREP
I stored mine vertically. I cleco'd short blocks of wood to the holes left open at each seam and then put straps across the face to hold the shape and keep the edges off the floor. I had to take the stabilator off because of the ceiling height - you may not have to.
Got a cradle for the tailcone?
Hi, Our school is building an RV-12is in Addison, TX. We just finished the tailcone and I'm looking for a cradle or some other safe and adequate storage for it. If you are near Addison (N. Dallas) and want to get rid of a cradle, we'll take it off your hands! Thanks!
vansairforce.net

ShawnR
…RV-4 build update
With winter brings me back to working on the -4. Today's project is the carb heat muff. I have found a few threads with images o the topic, but not a lot of images.. A friend saw mine and felt it was way too big. I was wondering what most have in their 4? I could not find a lot of direction in the plans so it sounds like each to his own devices on this aspect. Attached is what I have. There are 3 aluminum channels inside that hold the shell off of the pipe. They are worn and the whole assembly rattles around so I was going to address that when the question of whether it is appropriate came up. I see that Van's sells a small cross tube but it does not look like it would be overly effective. However, I do not know. Any input for me?

RE: Terminal Blocks.
…george mohr
We used terminal blocks for the stick wiring connections. They should have lock washers for the screws.
Terminal Blocks
I put terminal blocks in place for my connection between the wing and fuselage wiring. Do I need to use Loctite on these screws? The terminals seemed like a very straight forward solution to making the connection from the wings, but if I'm wrong and it's a terrible idea, I'm all ears.
vansairforce.net

David Paule RV-3B Update
While awaiting Van’s response to my filter question, I decided to make a wear plate that fits under the filter to protect the fiberglass air box. I had some extra titanium sheet, .020 thick, that I decided to use. It’s Grade 2 or Grade 3 and cuts like a stiffer sort of aluminum. Unfortunately titanium is 60% denser than aluminum, and this piece weighs 53 grams. I’d cut a hole in the middle if I could figure out how to make an elliptical cut-out. For reference, a 2.5” diameter round hole would only save 7 grams.
RV-3B Dave's in Colorado
Just a note to say that the surgery seems to have done what it was supposed to Stay tuned to this station! Dave Great news!! :D
vansairforce.net

RE: Lycoming engine mount ear hardware
…N49ex
This might be a topic already beaten to death in other threads, but here goes just in case - Just mounted the Thunderbolt I/O-540 on my friend's RV-10, including first attaching the mount ears which Lycoming had kindly included in a cardboard box rather than shipping the engine with them on. Seems they are masochists who enjoy knowing the agony of torquing those lower back nuts!
If you can get a socket to fit at all, it's pretty much impossible to drive it with a torque wrench. A crow's foot can't fit with any kind of significant rotational angle. So we broke out the torch and bent a 9/16th" box end wrench to fit and angle past the ear, pictures attached. 90 degree bends at both ends of the wrench which can then be driven with the torque wrench via a bolt with a couple of nuts on it.
Lycoming engine mount ear hardware
I just hoisted my news YIO-540 vans engine. The engine mount ears were included in a box (70456) and I see the bolt studs for them in the engine case, but I'm not finding any washers or nuts. Neither the Lycoming engine book nor the vans FWF have any info on these. Any ideas? The only other box...
vansairforce.net

Early Christmas
…Paul Dye
Christmas Came Early!
Some folks like to delay purchases for their projects as long as possible, but I like to have everything I need to finish an aircraft as early in the project as I can - if for no other reason than that prices never go down! But there are some things that help the process if you have them early...
vansairforce.net

Terminal Block PIREP
…cajunwings
I used a terminal block to terminate wing wiring. It’s secured to the belly skin with countersunk #8 screws. I would check the torque on the terminal screws at inspection time.
Terminal Blocks
I put terminal blocks in place for my connection between the wing and fuselage wiring. Do I need to use Loctite on these screws? The terminals seemed like a very straight forward solution to making the connection from the wings, but if I'm wrong and it's a terrible idea, I'm all ears.
vansairforce.net

OFF TOPIC:

Get your VansAirForce.net Charity Cap!
VAF Charity Cap: Help your charity and promote this site.
Get the cap all the cool kids are wearing! I don’t get a penny. It’s around $15. $5 more if you want your N-number on the back (I put 'STAFF' on the back of mine because it makes me laugh. Put STAFF on yours too if it makes you smile). And down the road $10 to the charity of your choice...
vansairforce.net
Please consider donating yearly to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Older issues of the ‘VAF News’ can be found at:
Doug's Area ...The VAF News, About VAF, My Resume
Pushed out every now and then.
www.vansairforce.net
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
The VAF List ...a list of RV-related lists. RV-related things you might want to browse over (a closed post that is sticky and maintained by dr). Link to this in 'Links' in the menu. v/r,dr Small businesses that help bring you this list of RV-related lists: 360 Avionics www.360Avionics.com Ace...
vansairforce.net