Tom Kendall wrote:

                                                                                                                                                                
If there is one thing I've noted about this group, is that we are all pretty free with our opinions.  So I'm probably asking to be deluged.  So be it:

I'm getting jazzed on the idea of doing a rotary powered conversion for a Van's aircraft (maybe the future four-seater with a 20B engine?).
I'm intrigued by the rotary's simplicity, compact size, light weight, low vibration, inherent reliability, and ability to run on cheaper mo-gas (though it's hard to find on any field).  With the EPA making noise about getting rid of 100LL, anything that runs on automotive fuel gets my vote at this point.

I believe the down sides of rotaries are a diminishing supply (and probably parts support), lower fuel efficiency, and noise.  But on balance, I think I can deal with/live with all of these.

That being said, I am at a cross roads.  I have lots of time on my hands until I can truely afford the rest of the project (airframe, instruments, etc.) and give it the space needed (only a basement workshop and limited space in a two-car garage).  I can either sit on my hands (and wallet) and keep dreaming, or I can start building an engine.  I would rather do the latter.  I like a challenge and always learn a lot more when my hands are dirty.

In your opinions, how well can a rotary be laid up while the rest of a bird is being built (this may well be years)?  I can do oil layups, silica packs, periodic hand-cranking, even a block heater if necessary to keep the condensation down.  But I'm concerned about stories of stuck seals.  Is this a problem with a laid-up engine, or just with dormant operational units?

Also, while I agree that firms such as Mazdatrix and others may do an excellent job of rebuilding, it just ain't in the budget (at least not the here-and-now budget).  I've rebuilt a few reciprocating engines over the years (usually in abhorent conditions under time pressure to get ol' Bessy back in service before Monday morning, but always with success).  I take the machine work to a local shop and do all the manual stuff myself.  Saves a bundle.  Is this a practical approach for a rotary that I will eventually be hanging my life (and others') on?

So I guess what I'm asking is, for all the cheap guys (and formerly cheap guys) out there, would you do it all again?

By all means jump right in. It is much easier than a piston engine to overhaul
and usually does not require any machine work at all. You can get plenty of
help on here.

If you use teflon encapsulated O-ring seals the engine will last forever.
(Bug Mazdatrix for the teflon oil O-rings)

Paul Lamar
 
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