Morning Cup Of Coffee And Weather

I've got the engine, I am going to start there - need to insulate the 'shop' a basic 16x20 shed. Smaller than I want, but I think I can make it work until it all "comes together" The advice to do something daily is great advice --- keeping a project moving regardless of speed is a lot easier than restarting it --- I've seen it a dozen times in my life if I"ve seen it once.

The plane is 23 foot tip to tail, remove the engine and rudder and you get at least that much back. That will be _tight_ but it should be workable. Installing the motor likely will be the last thing I do before it moves to a hangar. We'll deal with that as it comes :)

The Corvair engine IS an aircraft engine -- I think that is why it has been so successfull, a lot of people don't know that -- it was intended to be used in a helicopter, but the war came to an end and Chevy was left with an engine they didn't know what to do with.
Wasn't able to find anything about it being developed for a helicopter, but did find an extensive history on the engine here, including a list of experimental aircraft it has been used on near the end of the article: Chevrolet Turbo-Air 6 engine - Wikipedia

It was the subject of a lot of R&D during it's GM production run, and quite a bit more since, as several Corvair engine guru's have worked to make them dependable alternatives to the Lycoming and Continental engines most widely used in aircraft. Basic Corvair Information , Spyder Engines | Azalea Aviation

One note of caution if you are going to start with the engine. Corrosion is the enemy of engines that sit for extended periods of time without being run/lubricated on a regular basis. It can be minimized with some precautions both while building it and after. There are pickling strategies to use when building to keep moisture from exposed steel that will help, and something called an engine saver to keep the crankcase filled with dry air using a small air pump, and a large desiccant container to recirculate and dry the air. A relatively small investment to protect a relatively large one.

Have fun!
 
The helicopter story may be apocryphal. I heard it from an expert. I've got the block, and am building off of (no title) and have talked WIlliam sereral times. I have heard NOTHING but good things about his methods. I also have a corviar restorer up in Muncie Indiana that apparently can reassemble and engine from parts while blindfolded. Betweent hese two I think I should be in good shape.
The guy up in muncie was really interested in my project.

I plan on having the block, and plan on a MPI inspection -- I think that is what its called...magnetic fields and dyes -- its about the best way to find microscopic cracks. Regardless. Well aware of that risk.

Once I have it done I'll fog the thing with Boeshield -- which if you havn't heard of it, is amazing stuff. Developed by boeing its the best rust inhibitor you can get.

But that is still a ways away.
 
I’ve got a bad case of the lazies this morning. I should be working outside and all I can do is make another pot of coffee.

I remember those days! Before my life went ballistic a couple of years ago, one of my favorite things was a lazy morning on the couch, enjoying a fire in the fireplace, a cup of coffee, and if I was in a devil-may-care diet mood, a slice of coffee cake! I'm dreading the change in seasons, I hate winter weather. But having a little time to recharge is definately a welcomed though.

OK -- why is chocolate cake bad in the morning, but "coffee cake" is somehow ok? Seriously...
 
I remember those days! Before my life went ballistic a couple of years ago, one of my favorite things was a lazy morning on the couch, enjoying a fire in the fireplace, a cup of coffee, and if I was in a devil-may-care diet mood, a slice of coffee cake! I'm dreading the change in seasons, I hate winter weather. But having a little time to recharge is definately a welcomed though.

OK -- why is chocolate cake bad in the morning, but "coffee cake" is somehow ok? Seriously...
I didn’t care for Seattle winters because it wasn’t a real winter. Here in Wisconsin we have real winters that I love. What I don’t like is late winter because it’s not winter but not spring either.
 
I’ve got a bad case of the lazies this morning. I should be working outside and all I can do is make another pot of coffee.
I'm with ya.
Coffee and reading the news, fav webforums...

Walked the dog got our steps in, and did Service Dog training on her on a very beautiful day after some much needed rain beat all the dust off and things are sparkly and green...we've been lucky on wildfires here but of course I just jinxed us, so nvm...moving on...‍

Going to grocery store and thats it on my honeydo's...

Life is good!
 
I’ve got a bad case of the lazies this morning. I should be working outside and all I can do is make another pot of coffee.
I'm with ya. Coffee and reading the news, fav webforums...

Walked the dog and did Service Dog training on her on a very beautiful day after some rain beat all the dust off and things are sparkly and green...

Going to grocery store and thats it on my honeydo's...
 
I didn’t care for Seattle winters because it wasn’t a real winter. Here in Wisconsin we have real winters that I love. What I don’t like is late winter because it’s not winter but not spring either.

We're in a great spot for real winters. November brings our first dips into freezing temperatures. December gets cold but not brutal. January and February are when the snow hits—sometimes a lot of it.

March, its very much warming up. Though we have to deal with ice. The "March madness" always seesm to have 1 'winter weather event'

April is usually pleasant but cool, and May swings hard. The first week you may still see ice. But mid may, its race time and things are generally beautiful! Then summer kicks in. That said, I've seen snow on Memorial Day once or twice—that was weird.


Right now, it's cooling off significantly: nights in the 40s, and we've even hit the 30s a few times. I'm ready for it, though concerned about income -- planned for it -- but its going to be interesting. I feel like turning on some Merle Haggard - though December isn't my worry --- its May :D
 
I'm with ya. Coffee and reading the news, fav webforums...

Walked the dog and did Service Dog training on her on a very beautiful day after some rain beat all the dust off and things are sparkly and green...

Going to grocery store and thats it on my honeydo's...

I get to go collect on a deadbeat, cut the grass, and work on a small project.

I got on the roof yesterday and cleaned out the gutters --- it was dry enough for long enough, it wasn't bad -- a leaf blower was enough to get them clean. But things can change quickly and get so wet and ugly you can't do that job safely, so get it done. Sadly, I'll probably have to do it again in a couple weeks --- the trees haven't quite dropped their leaves yet, but it's close.

I'll be taking some training next week, followed by a trip to southern Indiana for a weekend with friends I havn't seen in a while.
 
Good morning from the funny farm.

Your trees are much farther along that ours! My maple has just started to change -- the others are dropping leaves, but we're not getting much color -- this summer was WAY too dry.

The only thing that has grown well are things I didn't want. I've got a stand of lilacs that have been encroached upon my mulberry -- The lilacs aren't flowing very well (wet feet?) and I think its time for all fo them to go -- once they drop leaves I think I'm going to cut all of them out. Not sure yet.

Its all green -- what I need is a big burn pile but I just don't have the space, and some significant time. I picked up a set of these earlier this summer and they do a number on anything up to about 3/4 of an inch with no effort. Surprising how long a 2ah battery lasts too -- I'll be putting it to good use. Best loper/pruner I have ever owned!!!!


Either way --- off to to Elkahart this week --- going to another Lippert Training series. Hopefully get some serious questions answered, there was really only 1 class I am super interested in. Schwintek Slideouts. Overall these aren't as bad as they seem to be --- but there is 1 or 2 fatal design errors...and I want to know why, and more importantly what the official 'fix' is. So, here we go!
 
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