Engine - 1

"The hardships and perils of the past month were forgotten in the excitement of the present. We shook hands with one another, our hearts swelling with those emotions invoked by achievement and the glamour of the moment. It was, and will be, perhaps the supreme hour of our lives.
--- Sir Ross Smith, K.B.E., first from London to Australia
--- also, our feelings after assembling and hanging the engine. "

We decided to take a different approach to an engine for the plane. "We'll build one." Went to Superior Air Parts in Copple, Texas, to assemble our engine. It's a three-day build school that allows the student to assemble an engine and learn the fundamentals. Simply stated, the individuals at Superior were professional, accommodating, and understanding in working with us since we knew so little, and the overall experience was exceptional. If you are thinking about a new engine, look into assembling your own!

The following three pages take the reader through the assembly process.

The Superior facility in Copple.

Looking at the difference between crankshaft ends for hydraulically-controlled variable pitch and fixed-pitch props.

Close-up of the crankshaft. This part is bolted to the stand, and assembly begins.

Installing the rods and rod bearings.

Close-up of attached rods and bearings.

Miscellaneous bolts, pins, and hoisting bracket.

Closing up the case is the goal of the first day's efforts.

Several openings in the case need to be plugged before assembly continues.

There you have it! A case containing crank and camshaft, rods, and bearings. The case is closed with a silk thread seal that provides a proper barrier between interior and exterior at the joining surfaces.

These parts still remain. Day 2 and 3's efforts.

End of day 1. An assembled case, inspected and passed.

Go to Engine 2

The Superior facility in Copple.	Looking at the difference between crankshaft ends for hydraulically-controlled variable pitch and fixed-pitch props.	Close-up of the crankshaft. This part is bolted to the stand, and assembly begins.
Installing the rods and rod bearings.	Close-up of attached rods and bearings.	Miscellaneous bolts, pins, and hoisting bracket.
Closing up the case is the goal of the first day's efforts.	Several openings in the case need to be plugged before assembly continues.	There you have it! A case containing crank and camshaft, rods, and bearings. The case is closed with a silk thread seal that provides a proper barrier between interior and exterior at the joining surfaces.
These parts still remain. Day 2 and 3's efforts.	End of day 1. An assembled case, inspected and passed.