The new Lycoming O-360 on my RV-4 finally sprung to life!!
This is the first engine start!
She started and ran very nicely!
I performed a couple of ground runs, resolved a couple minor squawks, and then it was time to fly. Aircraft engines have to ‘break-in’ or more appropriately ‘wear in’ and we are advised to limit ground runs with a newly overhauled engine and instead to get it in the air and run it as hard as possible for the first couple of hours. So, that’s what I did!
My friend Mike followed me around in his airplane for the first 30 minutes to ensure that nothing unusual was happening (like smoke and/or flames). It is VERY comforting to know that someone has eyes on the outside of the airplane during tests like this. Thanks Mike!!
There were a couple squawks from this flight but nothing significant and both were quickly resolved.
The oil cooler duct that I previously mentioned, printed from PLA, did suffer a bit in the heat. I ended up printing a version of it from PA6-GF30 filament (30% glass fiber reinforced Nylon 6 Copolymer) which has a much higher temperature tolerance. That version is holding up very nicely. This filament is the best I can print with my equipment (due to temperature limitations). Maybe Santa will deliver a more capabable printer later this year?!?!
I’ve painted the cowling and have 15 flight hours on the Lycoming O-360. It is running VERY well and the additional performance of the more powerful engine is very nice to have. That said, I’m still in the break-in period so I’m managing engine temperatures since the air temperature here this time of year is very hot!! Ideally, one would not break-in an engine over the high desert during the summer but sitting around staring at it for 3-4 months didn’t strike me as a good option. 😜
Nice sounding engine! Beautiful Plane. Your airplane engine sounded real good. The ABBA performers of the 1970s on your musical clip brought back memories; apparently for you as well.
Thanks Dad! It now has 15 flight hours and is running great!!
Hi JD, my name is Geoff, from NSW Australia. I’ve just stumbled upon your youtube videos & website – fantastic! Seems we have a bit in common – I have the great privilege of flying my own RV4 (got a couple of videos here https://youtube.com/@geoffwinter), love MTB’ing & sea kayaking & am hoping to start building a Petrel Play kayak in the near future.
Anyow, I see you’ve mounted your camera on an extension pole under your RV4 wing. Are you able to give me some details, or do a post, describing how you went about that.
Really enjoying browsing through all your great material – kind regards, Geoff
Hello, Im taking delivery of my new to me -4 on the 2nd. I noticed it has two oil coolers on it. The owner states the high oil temp issue has been resolved. I was curious, if you fixed you temp problem with your mods you did? Thanks, Ricky
Hi Ricky, My previous O-320 always ran hot (oil). The O-360 does not run hot (with new oil cooler, ducting, hoses, etc.). I don’t have proof but am suspicous that that my previous oil cooler was not working very well (inspite of cleaning it) and the ducting was probably not great.