At 12:01am on February 26, 2017, Thad Rodgers said…
I bought a 750 stol 110hp corvair powered in a trailer. with a lot of help from west coast zenith factory rep Doug Dugger we put a tall roof kit on it and reassembled it. I have flown it with Doug and a instructor for 2 hours watching temps and getting the rust off after not flying pilot for 25+ years. The plane fly's slower than expected. I have the large tires like yours, and I'm at 157 msl in 50-60 degree days. In the summer I can expect to be flying (or bouncing) in 90-102 degree days.
What are real speed numbers I should see? What are red line rpm and cruise rpm I should see? What are running and max temps. And prop degrees?
The guy I bought it from was flying in Utah at 4000 msl. He had to depitch the prop from Auburn CA(1500 msl) setting. It max"s out at 2850 rpm now. He was running car gas. That ain't happening any more ( can't stand the quality of gas out here), so I quite sure I have 30 timing and need to bump to 32.
Your help with real numbers from a like plane would be very, very appreciated.
Thanks Blaine, I built my own panel and applied vinyl with a carbon texture to the surface. It applied easily and looks good. I was going to order red for my panel and black to cover the panel top cover but some how I ordered the black for the panel. Happy with it and it was only $32 with shipping. Ready to order the top cover now.
Blaine, to run the engine you wont need the carb or exhaust,but you should buy your distributer so you can get the timing set up and then you wont have to reset it at home it will be done, you should have your starter system,flex plate,oil pan and top cover,valve covers and spark plugs, most if not all of these things W.W. will have with him, the test stand has its own carb,intake, exhaust system and cooling shrouds, I found a real nice MA-3 used carb on E-bay for 125.00 and will have the guy W.W. recommends rebuild it when I get closer on the airframe, William posted a pic. of my engine running on the stand on his new site, I used all Williams gold parts and dans bearing and did all the building myself under Williams and Roys watchfull eyes
In regards to the Corvair engine, I would not go any other way, I have researched this powerplant for 10 years, flew in a few airplanes that are using them and for the money you cant beat them, dont worry about the little problem you might hear about on the blogs I have a buddy with a rotex 912 and he has 20 grand in it and now might have to replace the crankshaft in it (A D) the corvair is looking real good to him
I hope I can go Blaine, my engine is already running, I started it at cc 20 at roys this summer but I still went to cc 21 just because it is so much fun.You look like you are well on your way with your kit, I just started on my wings two weeks ago and the left wing is ready to rivet skins on, Dan
Hello Blaine, thanks for the nice comment on my engine. Yep I built my Corvair conversion from scratch using all WW parts. WW produces very high quality parts for the Corvair, but I would recommend you order way before you need his parts as the delivery lead time is very long .. I waited several months for some parts.
Hi, Blaine--- I am at the very beginning stages of my Zenith 601XL build, to answer your question. Life (keeping the old Stinson airworthy, seeing the kids and grandkids, maintaining the cars and house, etc etc) keeps postponeing the start of serious work on the 601. I have procured several core engines and dismantled them. All three cases and cranks were measured at Corvair College 17 and pronounced excellent (a pleasant surprise, I got several on the premise that only one or two would be excellent). I will not acutally build the engine until the airframe is far enough along to need the engine, do not want it sitting around for too long after it is built.
Actual work on the airplane should start soon, I hope, but I have been saying that for quite a while now.
If you want, send me your email & we can discuss some of these items without using the comment method. A Corvair is one of my top selections. I went to the WW Corvair College last month and was really impressed with not only the engine, but more so with those who are flying behind them. Still considering others as well. My email is jdy100@comcast.net
- Jimmy
Blaine,
The only threaded holes I had on my tanks were the sump drain and fuel outlet locations, did not have one by the gas cap. I do have the extended range tanks, but I don't understand why you would have one there. Probably should call Zenith on that one. I am using the HBH dvd's and they are a great help. I refer to both the plans, manual assembly photos, and the dvd's. You will find there is no matching grommet for the rear spar where the fuel tank line exits the root bay. They have lengthened the thick doubler which now goes past the pre-drilled hole for that line, thus making the spar thickness about 3/16". I've got a pack of grommets ordered that should work out. It's something Zenith will need to update, and Roger is aware of it.
I got the rings from George Race at mykitairplane.com. He's got a lot of good stuff for Zenith planes. I'm not far ahead of you - I'm 1/2 way thru my second wing but have not started the fuselage. So far so good, seems to all fit together pretty well. I'm using metal horses on the second wing and it's easier to get around. - Jimmy Y
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I bought a 750 stol 110hp corvair powered in a trailer. with a lot of help from west coast zenith factory rep Doug Dugger we put a tall roof kit on it and reassembled it. I have flown it with Doug and a instructor for 2 hours watching temps and getting the rust off after not flying pilot for 25+ years. The plane fly's slower than expected. I have the large tires like yours, and I'm at 157 msl in 50-60 degree days. In the summer I can expect to be flying (or bouncing) in 90-102 degree days.
What are real speed numbers I should see? What are red line rpm and cruise rpm I should see? What are running and max temps. And prop degrees?
The guy I bought it from was flying in Utah at 4000 msl. He had to depitch the prop from Auburn CA(1500 msl) setting. It max"s out at 2850 rpm now. He was running car gas. That ain't happening any more ( can't stand the quality of gas out here), so I quite sure I have 30 timing and need to bump to 32.
Your help with real numbers from a like plane would be very, very appreciated.
Thanks Blaine, I built my own panel and applied vinyl with a carbon texture to the surface. It applied easily and looks good. I was going to order red for my panel and black to cover the panel top cover but some how I ordered the black for the panel. Happy with it and it was only $32 with shipping. Ready to order the top cover now.
Hi Blaine, happy to meet you, hows the build going?
Randy
as far as I know it is still the same
Blaine, to run the engine you wont need the carb or exhaust,but you should buy your distributer so you can get the timing set up and then you wont have to reset it at home it will be done, you should have your starter system,flex plate,oil pan and top cover,valve covers and spark plugs, most if not all of these things W.W. will have with him, the test stand has its own carb,intake, exhaust system and cooling shrouds, I found a real nice MA-3 used carb on E-bay for 125.00 and will have the guy W.W. recommends rebuild it when I get closer on the airframe, William posted a pic. of my engine running on the stand on his new site, I used all Williams gold parts and dans bearing and did all the building myself under Williams and Roys watchfull eyes
In regards to the Corvair engine, I would not go any other way, I have researched this powerplant for 10 years, flew in a few airplanes that are using them and for the money you cant beat them, dont worry about the little problem you might hear about on the blogs I have a buddy with a rotex 912 and he has 20 grand in it and now might have to replace the crankshaft in it (A D) the corvair is looking real good to him
I hope I can go Blaine, my engine is already running, I started it at cc 20 at roys this summer but I still went to cc 21 just because it is so much fun.You look like you are well on your way with your kit, I just started on my wings two weeks ago and the left wing is ready to rivet skins on, Dan
Hi Blaine ..hope things going well so far.
happy fourth of July
Regards,
Dave
I have not made an engine decision yet.
Tom Butler
Actual work on the airplane should start soon, I hope, but I have been saying that for quite a while now.
Bob
Rich
I was looking through your wing construction photos and I noticed the primer/corrosion protection. What did you use and how did you apply it?
I just finished my left wing and enjoy your photos - keep up the good work.
Thanks,
Rich (the one in Florida)
- Jimmy
The only threaded holes I had on my tanks were the sump drain and fuel outlet locations, did not have one by the gas cap. I do have the extended range tanks, but I don't understand why you would have one there. Probably should call Zenith on that one. I am using the HBH dvd's and they are a great help. I refer to both the plans, manual assembly photos, and the dvd's. You will find there is no matching grommet for the rear spar where the fuel tank line exits the root bay. They have lengthened the thick doubler which now goes past the pre-drilled hole for that line, thus making the spar thickness about 3/16". I've got a pack of grommets ordered that should work out. It's something Zenith will need to update, and Roger is aware of it.
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Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.