Douglas Fir wrote:

Hi Paul and all,

I made it safely to Concorde Ca. with the C-150 and am now back in Japan
reviewing over 415 emails from ACRE.  Whew! I was surprised to see that
there was so much interest in the old rope trick.  Actually I thought every
one down on the farm knew that one.  Actually after the mechanic unstuck the
valve and started the engine, it immediately stuck again. He then tapped
it into the cylinder and brought the stem  part of the way out of the lower
spark plug hole for a good buffing. He also lightly reamed the hole and
ascertained that the valve guides where new.  The engine was completely
overhauled 120 hours previously and had a new carburetor installed about 20
ago.  According to the mechanic that particular model continental  (1960)
engine has a history of the valves gumming up running 100LL unless it is
aggressively leaned.  I took his advise to heart even leaning it a little
while on long taxi excursions  and of course while flying and have not
experienced anymore trouble with the engine.  I did notice after changing
the oil and checking the oil screen before returning home, there where some
cotton fibers stuck there. The local mechanic watching me wondered how in
the heck they got there.  I didn't bother to enlighten him:)

More info to come on Baylor's University's research using 95% alcohol, safe
ways to seal composite tanks, Mr. Parks rotary Lancair and other stops along
the way.

doug in Japan

Glad to hear you made it home Doug safe and sound and in one piece.

Thanks for fixing the water heater in my hangar. I think what happened
was the tank was full when I turned on the heater and the pressure built
up triggering the pressure relief valve. I fooled with it yesterday.
Drained it, filled it up and relieved the pressure by letting
the hot water dribble out into the sink.

Paul Lamar
 
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