REFLECTOR: New PMag and Matco XLHD Brakes Update

Thu Feb 28 23:50:00 CST 2013

Thanks Steve,
We'll do - but I'm sure he's much faster with the Std RG.
I have the 173 wing which.. while it has a ton of lift - is much more 
draggy and along with a FG.

Thanks,
Kevin Baker

On 2/28/2013 9:55 PM, steve korney wrote:
> Hi Kevin...
>
> You might ask Jon Bachman about his performance... He has a std. RG 
> with a IO-360 200  HP engine...
>
> Steve
>
> > Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:33:51 -0600
> > From: flykb at verizon.net
> > To: reflector at tvbf.org
> > Subject: REFLECTOR: New PMag and Matco XLHD Brakes Update
> >
> > Hi All,
> > Ok.. so I thought I would post what I've been doing/upgrading for 
> others
> > to learn by and maybe a good story for folks to read thru.
> > I know I enjoy reading these from other builders so I thought I'd 
> submit
> > one as well.
> >
> > 1st - I had the old electoair system. During run ups, while doing the
> > 'mag' check I found that the elec ignition ran rougher than the 
> mags. mmmmm
> > So, I called electroair and they suggested I send the coils (firewall)
> > and mag sensor to them to check out. They found that the mag sensor
> > bearings were too loose/going out and suggested I get a new sensor 
> unit.
> > (that would explain the rough elec ignition). When they told me to take
> > the coil pack off the firewall they told me to just remove the
> > connections and take the vacuum hose off and send it in.
> > We'll when I got it back I had removed the vacuum hose from the coil
> > pack (which came off without a problem) - we'll I have the old unit
> > where the coils and vacuum are all on the firewall. When I called
> > Electoair on how to reinstall the vacuum hose they said that once it
> > comes off the coil pack it's done - no way to fix it and I would 
> have to
> > purchase one of the new coil packs with the coils on the firewall and a
> > connection to an inside the cabin part (2 parts now).
> > We'll - I now had a decision to make. I have to give them credit that
> > they would give me a discount since I was an old customer, but I was 
> not
> > fond of drilling more holes thru the firewall and metal shield as my
> > plane is up and flying.
> > SO - I looked around and spoke to alot of folks an decided to put on a
> > PMag instead (it's self contained and has a built in alt for generating
> > it's own power) ie battery dies and the pmag will keep on running - no
> > problem.
> > I got the PMag and installed it and it's super simple to time,
> > installation was very easy and I can say runs as smooth as silk. (I'm
> > sure the electoair would have run smooth as well with the new mag 
> timing
> > unit) - The other reason I switched was that in 200 hours the mag 
> timing
> > unit had been replaced now 2 times due to bearings. ?)
> > Ok.. so know I've done several tests and run ups and am ready to go
> > flying - engine running great - My Biannual is up (actually today) so -
> > I've got to get that taken care of in March.
> > I'm thinking I may have (hopefully) more power since before I was only
> > running on mags and off timed electoair - not the most efficient.
> >
> > With the old setup I was running at 160kts at 10k at 9gph with a new
> > catto 3 blade prop. (My plane is a Elite 173FG - Long wing (like XL)
> > with std elite fuse)
> >
> > ... Part 2. New Matco Brakes...
> > Ok.. I had the old normal Matco Brakes and had ok braking - I wanted to
> > be sure I had plenty of braking. If I landed on short field, full gross
> > and a little fast wanted to make sure my brakes would not fade/fail on
> > me and my old brakes I would have to really push to get the most use 
> out
> > of them.
> > So - I did some measurements as to energy and the brakes ability, I
> > spoke to Matco and bought the 600XLHD..xxx brakes (don't remember the
> > exact model but they were the 600XL heavy duty ones).
> > They came in and I went to install them on the gear legs. I was a 
> little
> > nervous about the whole brake bleeding thing but after some research
> > found on the RV forum a guy that used a TSC quart metal oil can and a
> > tube. I got the air out of the pump and tube - attached it to the matco
> > caliper and pumped from the bottom until it was close to the brake 
> line.
> > I then connected the brake line (don't for get the brass insert in the
> > brake line so you will not have any leak issues) and pumped from the
> > bottom up to the brake master cyl. Man- what was I worried about ..
> > piece of cake and no air bubbles in the line. I did both sides in about
> > 20 min - by myself. :-) (smiles all around).
> > I wanted to double check my toe in and camber while I was there and the
> > camber was perfect - toe in ..mm not so much.
> > I called Velocity and they indicated the toe in on a FG should be
> > between 2"-4" total and that they don't have to be exactly even on both
> > side but the important part was to have toe-IN. I actually had a little
> > toe out and it was tracking funny - no kidding.
> >
> > Ok.. so I dropped a nose plumb line and found the center between the
> > gear legs to measure my toe in. I then used a little laser level with a
> > flat side to project a line to find my toe in.
> > At this point I must say that I had the measurements of toe-in before
> > jacking the plane. I then measured the toe in after the plane was 
> jacked
> > up and thought I could "adjust the axle bolts" until I had the right
> > toe-in. ie- I needed 1" more toe in adjust the axels (tightening and/or
> > washers) until I got 1" inch toe-in.
> > The part I found out later is that when you put the weight back on the
> > axle (and yes roll it in and out) the weight will make the wheel to 
> head
> > toward toe OUT the heavier it is.
> > I had the toe-in set at 1-1/2" on one side and 2" on the other with
> > (10gal fuel) - I then, filled up (50gal) and had Lt 0" and Rt0.5" mmmm
> > didn't see that coming.
> > No wonder it pulled a little to the Left after coming back from 
> filling up.
> >
> > So, I decided to go back and set the toe-in to what weight I will
> > normally be flying at to 1 to 1.5 on each side. Then when I'm light 
> I'll
> > have more toe in (eating more tire but tracking ok) and when at full
> > gross will have about 1/2" toe in on each side. (don't usually fly full
> > gross but very rarely).
> >
> > Oh.. and the brakes work MUCH better - especially after you do the
> > 'breaking' procedures on the pads.
> >
> > So - Very happy with the pmag / Brakes are much better / bleeding was a
> > breeze with the RV/can setup / and I must say I'm getting tired of
> > jacking the plane up and messing with the toe in but now I'm able to do
> > it in about 30-40 min on each side and with 1 more adjustment will be
> > done. :-)
> >
> > Now... I just have to get the pesky biannual done so I can fly with the
> > new pmag and see if I have more power at alt. :-) (fingers crossed -
> > I would love to see 165 or possibly 170)
> >
> > Hope this was if not helpful - entertaining for folks....
> > Kevin Baker
> > N164PS 173FG Elite Catto IO-360 200HP
> >
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