Subject: Extra 400
From: ACRE NL
Date: 10/15/2002, 9:11 AM

There was an Extra 400 at Copper State with a liquid cooled
Continental Voyager turbo charged engine. The cowl had more
cooling openings than swiss cheese. The pilot told me they
run it super rich to keep it cool during climb. 36 gallons
an hour!!! 

Continental has backed off from the original, apparently too ambitious,
specs on this engine where they called for a 50 psi pressure cap 
and 240 F coolant temp. That means that the ten pound 1/4 inch thick
2 gallon aluminum antifreeze expansion tank is now over designed.
When that tank pukes it pukes overboard.

The pilot said they use ordinary antifreeze in a 50/50 mix in the
summer time for better cooling  and a 40% H2o/60% Glycol
mix in the winter time.

Rumor has it Extra is giving up on this engine and going with
a turbo prop. Anybody that can afford one million for this airplane
can afford to buy the extra fuel for a turbo prop.
 
Paul Lamar
 
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