Hello Net Yes I did go up today. Once around the pattern was all I could muster due to the persistant overheating problem. On take off roll, after the tail came up, the temp started to climb. It passed 400 degrees before I could make 200 ft. As I said I would do, the waste gate remained open for the trip. At 200 AGL, I pulled the power back to 2800 RPM and still the temp climbed. By 300 AGL on the cross wind leg the temp went over 450 degrees. I again pulled the power back this time to 2500 and lowered the nose to a flat 100 FPM climb and completed the turn to down wind. At 500 AGL, I lowered the nose just as the temp reached 500. Flyinig level, the engine started to cool and I completed the pattern and landed without incident. Imperssions: With the waste gate open my performance is not much greater then before the engine mods (1910cc). I applied power slower then normal and P factor was not a factor. I really miss flying. What's next: I spent the rest of the day doing things to help cool the engine. First I used the VW oil cooler remote adapter that I purchased over 12 years ago and moved the oil cooler to the bottom of the engine. This opened up the cowl inlet allowing all the cooling air to get in. Didn't help! I added some baffle pieced to fill gaps and sealed all remaining openings. Didn't help! I rechecked timing, valves and compressions. Didn't help! The truth is comming to light. My plugs still show lean. That is all that I can find and it must be the answer. Tomorrow I will add a temporary fuel pump and my old regulator and set it for 1.5 PSI as described in the Revmaster book. At this point I would love to see the exhaust puff black smoke, just as long as the CHT is in the black also. I got my hands on an Ellison EFS2 and boy am I tempted. That's another subject.
Orma L. Robbins A&P/IA KR-2 N110LR Southfield, MI
