Archie wrote:

I can name half a dozen failed V8 aircraft conversions in the last six

years

lg.snip--------------------

Custom planes is doing a great disservice to their readers by promoting
V8 engines.

Paul Lamar

Well gentlemen, time for me to "come clean".

I have two businesses, one of which is racing engines,
predominantly of the V-8 persuasion.
While enjoying success with these, I have been observing,
(as a sidewalk superintendent), a casual interest the
attempts of applying the V-8 concept to aviation
Needless to say, the outcome thus far has been quite
disappointing.

The V-8 question, as being applied today, may never
be fully resolved to the satisfaction of the masses.

Although, I do not have one flying, personally feel that
the viability of the Wankel is one area still in it's infancy
and when more people are exposed to it's attributes,
can be a serious player in the market.
I have a collection of five at this point. 12's and 13's.

Just a brief note: Aircraft Quality is a broad term
often misused to infer superlative quality,
and in most cases is surpassed by automotive racing
engine parts. (not from a speed shop)
Taken at face value, Aerospace "quality" is above that.
There is no formal definition of these terms that
I can find in my engineering library.

Anyhow, just another opinion.
Archie

When I mentioned aircraft quality parts I was referring to the replacement of 
cast iron crankshafts and powdered metal connecting rods with 4340 forged cranks
and 4130 forged connecting rods. Not to mention all the other parts in the
engines.

BTW I forgot to mention one of the most expensive efforts to 
apply an automotive V8 to aircraft use. Namely Toyota. Toyota spent $35 million US 
certifying what started out as a Lexus V8 and building prototype light airplanes
to use it. There is nothing to be seen at this moment in time. Probably too expensive, 
too heavy and too short of a TBO.

Paul Lamar
 
The AirCraft Rotary Engine NewsLetter.  Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. http://home.earthlink.net/~rotaryeng/            
Copyright 1998-2003 All world wide rights reserved.