REFLECTOR: Help with poor running Franklin

Brian Michalk michalk at awpi.com
Wed Mar 25 21:55:19 CDT 2009


Backfiring.

When you removed the plugs, did you "read" them?  Specifically the top
plugs?

By backfire, do you mean out the carburetor, or out the exhaust?  Do you
know what your fuel flow rate is with engine running?  What about CHT's,
or EGT's?

Even though you cleaned your plugs, did you ever drop one of them or get
aggressive with bead blasting?

Are you sure you have your spark plug wires in correct firing order?

If you don't have individual cylinders instrumented, McMaster Carr has
heat sensitive crayons and adhesive dots.  Place them on each cylinder
and do a ground run and note when they turn.  I have an assortment of
these and stick them on various places so that I know how hot things are
getting.

Jerry Teitsma wrote:
> Please help me with your ideas for my dilemma.
> 
> I have flown my Velocity Elite FG for 26 hours but the engine has never
> run well.  I have attributed that to oil blow by that has frequently
> fouled plugs.  The rings did not seat at least partially due to the high
> altitude where I fly (8200 ft. field and flying at 10,000 ft or more as
> well as the hard steel cylinder linings. As a result, I recently pulled
> the engine and did a top end overhaul with new softer cylinder liners. 
> It now runs even worse.  I can't get more than 1500 rpm although it
> idles fairly well.  It cuts in and out with back firing intermittently. 
> It acts like it is starving for fuel or has induction leaks.  It is
> fairly non-reactive to mixture changes.
> 
> Following is a list of items that have been done in chasing the problem:
> 
> 1.  I plugged the exhaust pipes and pressurized the intake manifolds to
> about 15 psi using soap to look for any induction leaks.  I found none.
> 
> 2.  The MA-5 carburetor was removed and sent in to a test shop where it
> was checked for flow rate and a service bulletin 13 was performed.  It
> tested out OK.
> 
> 3.  The fuel flow rate was checked and found adequate in fuel flow and
> in pressure.
> 
> 4.  The mag timing was checked and rechecked and is right on.
> 
> 5.  The mags were taken off the engine and checked for correct action
> and timing.
> 
> 6.  The wiring was traced through for the mags to the cylinders to make
> sure they were not cross wired.
> 
> 7.  The spark plugs (nearly new) were removed, cleaned and gaped.
> 
> 8.  We removed the valve covers and checked the open and closing
> sequence of intake and exhaust valves.  All seem to occur at the correct
> time and in the correct overlap.
> 
> The only thing we can think of that has not been checked is the cam for
> proper lift and timing.
> 
> Although it has never run well, it has run better prior to the overhaul.
> Has anyone experienced similar problems?  Any ideas?  I would really
> appreciate your input.  JT
> 
> Jerry Teitsma
> PO Box 796, Granby CO 80446 (USPS mail/shipping)
> 36 Lodgepole Ct, Granby CO 80446 (UPS/FedEx shipping)
> 970-887-3910 (Phone/Fax)
> jerryteits at comcast.net
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: <reflector-request at tvbf.org>
> To: <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 10:11 AM
> Subject: Reflector Digest, Vol 58, Issue 52
> 
> 
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>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. Re:  I'm passing on this destination (gattenby at tulsaconnect.com)
>>   2.  Elevator cuff (gattenby at tulsaconnect.com)
>>   3. Re:  Elevator cuff (Brian Michalk)
>>   4. Re:  Elevator cuff (Stockman, Bill)
>>   5. Re:  Elevator cuff (nmflyer1 at aol.com)
>>   6. Re:  Elevator cuff (Dennis Martin)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:01:31 -0500
>> From: <gattenby at tulsaconnect.com>
>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: I'm passing on this destination
>> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
>> Message-ID: <web-22756828 at cgpro2.tulsaconnect.com>
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>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:41:39 -0500
>> From: <gattenby at tulsaconnect.com>
>> Subject: REFLECTOR: Elevator cuff
>> To: reflector at tvbf.org
>> Message-ID: <web-22920556 at cgpro2.tulsaconnect.com>
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>>
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>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:51:18 -0500
>> From: Brian Michalk <michalk at awpi.com>
>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Elevator cuff
>> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
>> Message-ID: <49CA44E6.6070800 at awpi.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>>
>> http://www.tvbf.org/search.html
>>
>> It used to be on the main page.  I need to add it.
>>
>> gattenby at tulsaconnect.com wrote:
>>> I've looked through the archives for a while. (any way to do a
>>> search?) for info on the elevator cuffs.
>>> I didn't find anything,  I know it's been discussed...
>>>
>>> My 2000 suv kit came with the cuffs,  the new manuals don't mention
>>> them.
>>> Some builder sites have pictures of putting them on, some don't.
>>>
>>> What's the general thought on putting them on?
>>>
>>> Noel
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:54:33 -0400
>> From: "Stockman, Bill" <bill.stockman at daytonaero.com>
>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Elevator cuff
>> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
>> Message-ID:
>> <1C2BDF8F50E7444BA5B4E343D9FD6AA101210A79 at MI8NYCMAIL01.Mi8.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> They came with my kit (173 FGE LW) that I purchased in 1997, but was
>> advised by the factory to remove them once I put the VGs on.
>>
>>
>>
>> Bill Stockman, Senior Associate
>>
>> Dayton Aerospace
>>
>>
>>
>> (937) 369-4799 cell
>>
>> (937) 426-4300 work
>>
>> bill.stockman at daytonaero.com
>>
>> ________________________________
>>
>> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
>> Behalf Of gattenby at tulsaconnect.com
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 10:42 AM
>> To: reflector at tvbf.org
>> Subject: REFLECTOR: Elevator cuff
>>
>>
>>
>> I've looked through the archives for a while. (any way to do a search?)
>> for info on the elevator cuffs.
>>
>> I didn't find anything,  I know it's been discussed...
>>
>>
>>
>> My 2000 suv kit came with the cuffs,  the new manuals don't mention
>> them.
>>
>> Some builder sites have pictures of putting them on, some don't.
>>
>>
>>
>> What's the general thought on putting them on?
>>
>>
>>
>> Noel
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:40:47 -0400
>> From: nmflyer1 at aol.com
>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Elevator cuff
>> To: reflector at tvbf.org
>> Message-ID: <8CB7B7732F914B5-1448-F7F at webmail-mf12.sysops.aol.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>>
>> I've asked about this as well. The consensus I have received back is
>> that it is best to leave them off. I was told this will lower the
>> stall speed of the canard. It will also make the "pitch buck" once it
>> does stall more pronounced. I think I was told that it helps elevator
>> authority when slow as well.
>>
>>
>>
>> Kurt
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: gattenby at tulsaconnect.com
>> To: reflector at tvbf.org
>> Sent: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 8:41 am
>> Subject: REFLECTOR: Elevator cuff
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I've looked through the archives for a while. (any way to do a
>> search?) for info on the elevator cuffs.
>>
>> I didn't find anything,? I know it's been discussed...
>>
>> ?
>>
>> My 2000 suv kit came with the cuffs,? the new manuals don't mention them.
>>
>> Some builder sites have pictures of putting them on, some don't.
>>
>> ?
>>
>> What's the general thought on putting them on?
>>
>> ?
>>
>> Noel
>>
>> ?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> To change your email address, visit
>> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>>
>> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
>> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
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>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:11:03 -0600
>> From: Dennis Martin <dennis.doc at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Elevator cuff
>> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
>> Message-ID:
>> <638df660903250911r1a7ea549jb06aae6bee4eeae8 at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> Evidence clearly supports removing the cuff. There is a compromise. Alan
>> Shaw, who built my canard, told me to remove half of the cuff on each
>> elevator. I did that a couple of years ago, so I'll try flying with
>> 50% cuff
>> and see how it works.
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 9:40 AM, <nmflyer1 at aol.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I've asked about this as well. The consensus I have received back is
>>> that
>>> it is best to leave them off. I was told this will lower the stall
>>> speed of
>>> the canard. It will also make the "pitch buck" once it does stall more
>>> pronounced. I think I was told that it helps elevator authority when
>>> slow as
>>> well.
>>>
>>> Kurt
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: gattenby at tulsaconnect.com
>>> To: reflector at tvbf.org
>>> Sent: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 8:41 am
>>> Subject: REFLECTOR: Elevator cuff
>>>
>>>   I've looked through the archives for a while. (any way to do a
>>> search?)
>>> for info on the elevator cuffs.
>>> I didn't find anything,  I know it's been discussed...
>>>
>>> My 2000 suv kit came with the cuffs,  the new manuals don't mention
>>> them.
>>> Some builder sites have pictures of putting them on, some don't.
>>>
>>> What's the general thought on putting them on?
>>>
>>> Noel
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> To change your email address, visit
>>> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>>>
>>> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
>>> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
>>> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
>>> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>> Need a job? Find employment help in your
>>> area<http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlweusyelp00000002>
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>>> .
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> All the best,
>> Dennis
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>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>> End of Reflector Digest, Vol 58, Issue 52
>> ***************************************** 
> 
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