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VW Run-in Schedule

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 9:10 am
by ThePipster
Morning All,

Does anybody have a copy of a run-in schedule for a VW engine, I think there was one listed in the Peacock conversion plans?

TIA

Phil

Re: VW Run-in Schedule

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 10:18 am
by Brian Hope
Good morning Phil. I'm pretty sure the Great Plains Type 1 Assembly Manual has run in details too, I have a copy but can't lay my hands on it at the moment. I'll have another look for it. Does this mean the Sonerai engine is ready to run at last?
Best of luck with it if it is, I'm looking forward to seeing it fly.

Re: VW Run-in Schedule

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 3:21 pm
by Chris Martyr
A Sonerai... 8) ...Note to Brian : We'd better see that in the magazine at some time then ... :D

When I built the thoroughbred racing machine in the top RH of the page [ :D ] I pretty much zero-timed the engine by replacing virtually every moving part . Including the camshaft and followers .

Barry Smith gave me written instructions on running the cam and followers in . The main thing was to run the engine at around 2,500rpm for not less than 20 mins after initial start-up in order to get plenty of oil around them .
I was so concerned about not getting enough oil to them , and purposely overfilled the sump so as to completely immerse the cam/followers prior to initial run . I did of course drain the oil down to correct level prior to running it though.

This doesn't quite tally with the Don Peacock booklet though [which appears to also have flown off] but I seem to recall that he recommended running at different power settings for 10 minute periods interspersed with 5 minute periods running at idle speed .

I was quite happy to follow the advice given by Barry . He was [and probably still is] one of the UK's top VW aero-engine guru's .
I haven't been to Great Plains' website lately , hopefully , it is still as packed with good info as it was during the late Steve Bennetts time .

I always get a bit excited when another VW engined type pops up . Best aircraft engine ever put in a car I reckon !... :D

Re: VW Run-in Schedule

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 11:59 pm
by ThePipster
Hi Brian and Chris,

Yes, it is getting very close to engine run-in and then flying, I still have some mod paperwork to submit for the Leburg ignition, but other than that it is just a long list of 2 minute jobs to complete!

Chris, this is a pretty rare Sonerai I single seater G-LOWE, I think it will possibly be the only airworthy one in the U.K. when it finally flies.

On the subject of running in I have found a couple of things on the Internet that echo Barry Smith’s comments, including advice attributed to but not directly from Steve Bennet. In contrast I now have a copy of the Peacock schedule which is a softly softly run in scheme which is remarkably similar to the Jabiru run-in schedule.......

..... do you ever wish you hadn’t asked a question??? :-)

Phil

Re: VW Run-in Schedule

Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 8:47 pm
by TRAZZELL
I've rebuilt a Revmaster 2100D for my Nicollier Menestrel 2 which is inhibited and sitting under a dust sheet but will need running in when the time comes so will be interested in following this thread.

Tony

Re: VW Run-in Schedule

Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2019 7:52 am
by Brian Hope
Hi Phil, the traditional advice for conventional aero engines is not to baby them but to use high power settings and straight oil for run in to prevent the bores from glazing. It goes against what most of us with empathy for mechanical things would usually think of doing, but I think it is sound advice and has never let me down. Whether that directly translates to a VW I wouldn't like to say, but advice from Barry Smith and Steve Bennett, both of whom I have been privileged to have met, and in Barry's case worked with on the old PFA EC, is worth its weight in gold.
By the way, I have recently bought a Jodel with a friend so will be flying again next season. Hope to meet and catch up sometime.
Rgds, Brian

Re: VW Run-in Schedule

Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2019 7:36 pm
by mikeblyth
Hi Phil and guys
I found my VW Peacock run in shedule which is a guide. I can copy and send if required.
This is for a 1600 but probably applies. It starts conservatively 6x 1000rpm for 10mins and up
to 3200 in stages. I think I ran mine for 20hrs before flying to be safe. Long time ago but ran like
a dream and very easy starting.

Re: VW Run-in Schedule

Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2019 9:31 pm
by Chris Martyr
ThePipster wrote:..... do you ever wish you hadn’t asked a question??? :-)
Phil
Au contraire Monsieur Pipster ... :D

I reckon that your question has probably sparked a degree of interest . I would love to know how many guys there are around who still actively extol the virtues of these brilliant little engines . Probably more than you first thought .

Don't forget that back in the day when Donald Peacock's drawings were considered to be the 'go to' solution for anyone not in the market for an A65 , all this information was probably being sent by builders to each other via snail-mail or Bakelite telephones .

These days , for many builders , the 'go to solution' by default seems to come from either Austria or Australia [or even Belgium] But the folk who take this option have plenty of 'back-up' at their disposal . Even if it ain't cheap .

VW's , in whichever guise they come in , be it Great Plains , Aerovee, Revmaster , or 'home brewed specials',,,[ 8) ] ,,represent fantastic value for money , and thanks to people like http://www.vwheritage.com will continue to do so for many years .

So Phil ,,you're darn right in asking that question mate !.. :D