P-mags updated
It’s been a while since I updated this log, but then it’s been a while since I’ve been flying. 3 weeks ago I removed the P-mags from the engine and shipped them back to Texas for the latest firmware update. The version I had was supposedly rock solid, but I guess new problems surfaced when the self-powered feature of the P-mags are routinely tested during run-up. Since I like to test them before I take off, I decided it was a good idea to get them upgraded. The weather for the following 2 weeks was supposed to be lousy anyway, but I was hoping for a quick turn-around. Well, last weekend the weather was unusually perfect and it seems E-mag took 1.5 weeks to do the update.
As an added precaution when I re-installed the P-mags, I used the tried-and-true factory setting timing method rather than the blow-in-the-tube timing method. It seems that all of the problems with these units have been with the timing reverting to the factory setting. Might as well just use the factory setting in the first place. It’s not that much harder.
While I had the cowl off, I chased down another small oil leak to the oil temperature sensor. I tried tightening it at one point, but it was still leaking. This time I removed it, used some sealant between the probe and the adapter and used a new crush washer when I installed it.
Of course when I had the plane all back together, I needed to leave to catch my daughter’s soccer game. It was well worth it, as she scored the game-winning goal and another one to boot!!
Went back down to the airport Sunday, pulled the plane out without the cowl, and did a test run. It took a couple tries, but she eventually fired up as strong as ever. I was going to slap the cowl on and go flying, but it started raining. I still don’t trust the plane not to leak in some critical area in the rain.
I pushed the plane back into the hangar and worked on another project while I had the cowl off. Ever since my initial flights, I’ve had some aluminum duct-repair tape on the front of the front two cylinders to keep them from getting too much cooler than the back 2 cylinders. The tape has worked great, but it was time to replace them with the proper material. Interestingly, the tape didn’t even leave any residue on the cylinder. Great stuff. Much better than fabric duct ( a.k.a. Duck) tape.
I cut out two chunks of aluminum the same size as the tape, deburred, bent, drilled out some rivets, drilled the new parts, and installed rivets. It was actually pretty fun to work with aluminum again. The hassle was I had to remove the induction snorkel in order to get at the rivets on the left side. Looks much better now.
I put the cowl back on and the weather looked like it was going to hold. A few drops here and there, but the sky was fairly clear. Run-up was good. Take off was awesome. It was great to be in the air again. Of course the rain picked up as soon as I got away from the airport. I tried to avoid it, but it was raining pretty good. I cut the flight short. Greaser landing. Haven’t lost the touch. After shut down I looked behind the panel. No water, so that’s good. I think I’ll still try to avoid the rain.