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Comment by Clint L Gosch on September 6, 2021 at 8:50pm

Yep, that prop will certainly help.  I've not heard of others having this issue, just my luck to have some obscure issue.  My leveled nose weight came in around 275lbs, battery mounted to firewall.  So, my minimum fuel condition requires a minimum pilot weight of 130lbs to stay in the CG envelope.  No chance of me getting that light again!  :)

Comment by Bill Bear on September 6, 2021 at 12:10am

20 feet of #6 is a lot of copper.  But with the lighter weight prop, the extra weight of the wire probably was a wash or insignificant.  My prop is a two blade aluminum Sensenich and weighs about 30 pounds.  I may not experience the problems you did....at least I hope not.  I already have an increased forward moment-had to add a prop spacer to clear the front of the cowling which moved that 30 pounds of prop forward.  I'm anxious to see how my wt and balance computations will result.  

Comment by Clint L Gosch on September 5, 2021 at 9:21pm

One issue I did have during my initial engine runs was an occasional kick back during startup.  Took a while to track down but ended up being an unfortunate combination of my skytec starter (high torque), Whirlwind 70" prop (low mass, easier to spin), PC680 battery with very short #4 welding cable (lots of current delivery).  That combination was able to crank the engine at 190 rpm.  The bendix mag manual states that impulse couplings engage fully at speeds lower than 150rpm, may intermittently engage at rpms 150 up to 300rpm, and fully disengaged above 300rpm.  My impulse couplings might have been more sensitive than others, not sure if others have had similar issues but I ended up adding 20' of #6 welding cable to add enough resistance in line to slow the starter.  Not elegant but has worked well until I can afford a surefly mag. 

Comment by Bill Bear on September 5, 2021 at 8:45pm

Thanks, Clint, for the complement and glad to hear that yours is running fine.  I found a used B&C 40 amp alternator and I sent it back to company for them to evaluate before I installed on overhauled engine per their advisory.  It checked out ok; no overhaul required.  They just did an ops check and sent it back to me....good to go.  I haven't heard any bad reports on these gear driven alternators and mine should be ok.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  Also to reduce weight am using light weight Odessy battery and Sky-Tec starter. I removed the vacuum drive mount and gear from engine since I have no need for vacuum pump, but will keep if next owner (when ever that might be) needs it.

Comment by Clint L Gosch on September 5, 2021 at 8:26pm

Nice engine!  I've been happy with mine so far, 250 hours of trouble free service so far.  Bought it used with 90 hours on it.  Keep me updated on the B&C alternator, I've been looking to trim some weight from my fwf.