 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
___________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
ENGINE - C-90-14 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
My new Continental C-90-14 |
|
|
|
With my original desire to keep the Tiger Moth LOOKING liek a Tier Moth, I had decided to install a Geo 1.3L engine, utilizing a Raven redrive. This in-line four cylinder promised to give me about 90 hp and retain my Gypsy Major look. I obtained an engine locally and installed the redrive. The redrive really was a work of art. I had the whole thing running on a test stand, which was really cool. My next job was to move the engine to the fuselage, shorten the rather long wiring harness, and get it started again. Unfortunately, it never ran again. I checked, and checked, and re-checked the wiring harness but could not, for the life of me, figure out what was wrong. I went into remove and replace mode for engine components. Still no luck. Finally I loaded the entire engine and fuselage onto a trailer and carted it to my car mechanic. Dave at Scotty's Automotive tried his hardest but it just wouldn't start. This entire effort took months and months. I then came to a revelation...if I have problems with my car engine while at the airport, would I be able to get my mechanic to make a house call? The answer I kept coming back with was not encouraging. So I decided to move to an aircraft engine.
I began to look for a used Continental in the 85-100 hp range. I placed adds on the local airport bulletin boards, checked Trade-a-Plane and made some inquires with mechanics in the area. Finally I learned of a C-90 available up in Oregon. The engine had been on another Experimental and the price was about right. I loaded my daughter up in our trusty minivan and off we went to Tillamook Oregon! |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Getting my first look at my C-90 |
|
|
|
I arrived in Oregon and found the engine all ready to go. It was even attached to an engine mount...hummm, I wonder if i could use that thing? |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
I got back home and within a couple of weeks had the "new" engine mounted onto my Moth. Ace Campbell (from my local EAA Chapter) did a great job of grafting the new engine mount to the old Geo mount. Not too much later, Cam, a master fabricator, created an incredible stainless steel exhaust system. A friend donated a slightly "used" titanium exhaust pipe from a racing motorcycle. I repacked the muffler, shortened it up and Cam grafted it to the end of the system. I probably have the quietest C-90 on the West Coast! The engine is the "-14" model and came with an old cable pull starter and a rather heavy generator.
Now, the engine wasn't the prettiest around but the compression was good and I decided to go with it as is. After the first five hours of flight, I came to find that I hadn't adjusted the pull starter properly and I had managed to grind up the starter gear. a check of the oil screen confirmed my worst fears - metal shavings in a big way. After crying for a bit, I sucked it up and pulled the engine off.
I pulled the Continental apart and sent it out for inspection. Two of the cylinders had seen better days, but luckily the cam and crank came back OK. I decided to get this engine back together "right" so I enlisted the services of Al the mechanic at Amelia Reid Aviation. Al spends his days working with these old Continentals on a regular basis and he graciously offered to assemble my engine.
I decided to buy 4 new cylinders for the engine as well as a new lightweight starter and alternator. I know I could have had at least two of the cylinders rebuilt but i kept telling myself "now is NOT the time to go cheap!" My kids are going to fly in this airplane!
I got a few calls from Al saying "you better come down here so i can show you something." Those were expensive little trips! On one trip he showed me that the rear accessory case was worn badly at the oil pump. I called around and found that I could have had mine fixed, but for not too much more I was able to just get a new one. When it was done, I was thrilled with the results! |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
All ready for re-install! |
|
|
|
The new engine worked great. Robin Reid had suggested that I add cooling eyebrows and this has kept the cylinder head temps in the green. I've got great oil pressure and temperature. I also added a remote oil filter kit to keep the oil as clean as possible.
Recently I removed the cowling for a much needed paint job. The nose-bowl was really rough cosmetically and I decided to get some professional help since I don't have much patience when it comes to sanding and filling fiberglass. The end result left me very happy indeed and I now feel I can take my plane out in public! |
|
|
|
Introduction | Wing Construction | Fuselage | Engine | Latest Photos | Other Builders and Flyers |
|