Saturday looked like the day to get my Coupe back in the air. We finally got the new regulator in and installed. As my mechanic was installing the new voltage regulator, he informed be that the failed regulator was actually a Ford automotive part. I looked at the part and sure enough, it was. He also said that the plugs were in bad shape (fouled - they had less than 30 hours on them since new at the annual).
I fired her up and turned on the alternator. There it was, an immediate indication of a charge on the amp meter. The engine was running smoother, but it seemed that there still was vibration. Hopeful that things were good, I saddled up and went out to do some touch and go practice. At 1,500 rpm the mag check and the carb heat were as expected. Holding short on 29R waiting for inbound traffic to land, I was thinking about how wonderful it would be to finish my checkride. The tower cleared me for take off and remain in the pattern. I rolled out and eased the ball forward. But it was not to be. The rpm's climbed past 1,500 and then stopped at about 1,800. There was never any question that this was an aborted takeoff. It seems that others are also having problems with stuck valves. My A&P will do the compression checks today and assess the problem. My hope is that it is a different cylinder than last time. It does not seem right that I should have so much trouble with cylinders that were rebuilt just 200 hours ago. I use Avblend at every oil change and have been religiously using TCP in the "100 Lots 'o Lead" Avgas. Maybe I need to switch to Mogas and deal with the alchohol problem. Tomorrow is another day and I am still looking for my Olympic Gold. Frank Nelson N51DV - 415C TOA p.s. - I saw Linda depart on Saturday for the brunch gathering in Santa Barbara (I think). At least one Coupe from Torrance is flying, but I am very envious.
