Glen:
Ask Randy. You need a few low power runs prior to flight to knock off the high spots on the cylinder walls without generating a lot of heat. Otherwise you run the risk of overheating the rings and annealing them. Continental covers run-in in the overhaul manual. A general procedure is to run it for about 5 minutes at idle, then shut down until cool to the touch. Check it over for leaks, etc. Then run it again for 10 minutes, the last 5 at 1200 RPM. Cool completely and recheck. Finally, run it for 10 minutes and work up to 1500 RPM at the end, then do a mag check at 1800, shutdown, cool and recheck. Last, a full power runup followed by a 1 hour flight at 80% power. Check again, then do another 1 hour flight at 70-80% power. Now, change the oil. Use mineral oil or Philips 20W-50. Keep flying at high power levels (no T&Gs or piddling around at 2100RPM) until the oil consumption stabilizes, maybe another 5 hours or so. Change the oil again at 10 hours. John Cooper, A&P Skyport Services PO Box 249 4996 Delaware Tnpk Rensselaerville, NY 12147 518 797-3064 Fax 518 797-3865 www.skyportservices.net _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Glen Davis Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:39 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ercoupe-tech] engine break in Gang (especially the sharp engine guys) My Ercoupe is just about ready to fly after a complete rebuild. It has a freshly overhauled C-85 hanging on the nose. With a fresh overhaul, most recommendations I have heard are to spend as little time as possible on the ground with the engine running. Rather, get the run-up done as quickly as possible, give it full throttle on the take off roll and leave it there for at least 45 minutes to get the rings to seat. First question: Do you agree with this procedure? Now, as my aircraft has been disassembled into small pieces and over the past year completely rebuilt, I would feel much better if I did a high speed taxi....shut done and check everything. Then a couple of lift offs to 20 feet and set down, shut down and check everything. Finally, a real take off and fly for 45 minutes. Second question: Do you think this procedure of start, stop, start stop with throttle on, throttle off, throttle on, throttle off, prior to the first real flight will be detrimental to a good and successful break-in? Thanks Glen Glen Davis 917 297 1111 www.ishootpictures.com www.ercoupepilot.com
