The crankshaft is a 26 pound very rugged, carefully balanced item as it comes out of the car engine. The output end has a six bolt flange that appears to be part of the crank but was actually pressed on by GM. While it takes about 20 tons of force to get it off, Wynne feels it needs a retention system since the prop hub bolts to it. The maximum thrust is only about 400 pounds but the flight environment is quite different than the auto situation so this makes sense. There are at least two methods of retention. There have been no cases of crankshaft failure in flight engines during an estimated 40,000 flight hours.

The major factor in getting 100 hp at direct drive prop speeds (3200 rpm max) is a cam change. This costs about $200. No big effort other than forking over the money. New hydraulic lifters are $2.00 each. The same item for an 0-200 is close to $85.00. The stock cylinders are useable and the cheapest way is to have them bored .030 oversize. An option that came along just this past fall is to use modified 88 mm VW cylinders that will fit the Corvair case. They boost the displacement to 2850 cc and reduce weight by four pounds. Forged pistons are a requirement for flight engines and are about $450 for a set of six. To get rid of the cooling fan, a simple flat plate of aluminum is cut to cover the top of the engine. We got a friend to make one for us but it is available from Wynne. A flight engine needs a larger oil supply than an auto engine and a deeper pan is available from Wynne for $269. The conversion uses a Ford Taurus starter ring and Subaru starter motor. We got the starter from Auto Zone for about $90. Two expensive items are the prop hub which costs $319 and the modified distributor at $219. We will leave the stock oil filter and oil cooler in place and the Aero-Carb from Sonex seems to be a good choice for the carb. It will work on gravity feed and is somewhat less prone to carb ice than conventional carbs.

For more, take a look at www.flycorvair.com

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Tim introduced Tom Jenkins as the new chapter president for 2004, as well as the organizer of the Christmas Party.

With the help of his son, Tim passed out the EAA awards for the chapter officers of 2003.

Special chapter awards of gift certificates for Montgomery Inn were presented to Phil Cady for Young Eagles, Brian Nickles for Young Builders, and Mike Griffith for the fabric workshop.

Phil Cady presented a list of area service men with a request to members to send a Christmas package to someone.
Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Lee Jewell, Secretary

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Tentative 2004 Calendar

Here’s an unofficial rough-out of the 2004 chapter meeting calendar. Once the Board has had a chance to review it, and add the Board meeting and Young Eagle rally dates, we’ll publish the final version, and send out convenient reminder cards. If you spot anything that might cause a general conflict, please let Norm or a Board member know about it. [Note that the Christmas party is set a week earlier than the usual meeting date, to give a little more breathing room before the holiday.]