Lyc IO360 upgrade

[cworman]

Well, 2218B is finally getting to the home stretch. I forgot how many times a fellow can change his thought process on one of these projects. "Refresh" on memory bank! She made noise & wind today!

[cworman]

The O300 & extra parts "I had" are gone. Thanks to everyone for there interest! But for the record they are being used on a complete original restoration. Can't wait to see it! Congrats to the NY gentlemen!!! They got some Great Parts!

[cworman]

Waiting for weather to clear up for some test flights! The Good Lord does know how to test our patience!

[ghostflyer]

Whose STC did you use ? Your lower cowl is a interesting shape with the exhaust exiting the way it does . I found my intake holes were cracking so internally I fibreglasses in some fine fibre polyester rope . The rope was soaked in resin and then covered with a couple layer of fibre glass cloth .Which made it very strong. Will be changing the exit shape of the intakes later to decrease CHT,s or make them more stable in all degrees of flight. They will be done similar to the diagrams in the VAN web site. OR similar to the latest 182 intakes . I have CHT probes on all 4 cylinders and found the front cylinders the hottest .

[cworman]

Ghost,

This is the Stoots STC. Dave is out of Fairbanks, Ak. You can find him on the web.

Hope this helps.

[cworman]

N2218B took to the air today! First flight went very well. Rpm's a little low & needs a little tweak, but all temps & pressures good. Went easy on take off, about 90% power, clean, left to pavement in about 500', 49 degrees & 4knts wind @ 4400' elev. Climbed out at 90 mph to 7500'. Full fuel & 2 pilots (about 420# for the crew) At 7500', 65%, & 2250 she gave a solid 122knts.

I am very pleased! Looking forward to more tests when the tweaks are done.

I want to add that I appreciate the help from my fellow pilots & friends that flew 2218B for me, as my shoulder surgery that came at a lousy time kept me from flying her. Thanks Again!

[swixtt]

Congrats!! You are really going to enjoy that upgrade.

[cworman]

Thanks, I believe I will!

[Metal Master]

Congratulations,
I really like the way Dave Stoots nose bowl for the cowl looks better than the other 180 HP STC's I have seen. I also like the clean look without the Carb fairing installed.
Jim

[cworman]

Thanks Jim. Been following your project, very impressive. Hope to get a chance to see it up close some day.

[cworman]

A few more shots of my girl!

[Ryan Smith]

Looks great and congratulations on the conversion!

The Lycoming seems to be the perfect engine for this airplane. It may sound trivial, but I love the sound of the six-cylinder Continental and hate the bumps on the cowling, as they are right in the way of the 1952 color scheme. The Stoots nose bowl is sexy and the Lycoming conversions seem to be much more "plug and play" than the Continental IO-360.

[ghostflyer]

Both conversions are Blood Sweat and Tears. I haven't done a Continental conversion but have done 3 Lycomings into a 170 and 2 into 172,s . OMG what fun. Engine frames not matching up with attachment holes and some parts not included in the kit but marked as supplied , skin missing off knuckles etc etc . Oh ! And the hangar temperature is over 100 degs and humidity nearly at 100% and the sweat running into your eyes. Such Fun. . Would I do it again ? Yes , BUT NOT today.

[cworman]

Stoots STC

As far as Daves kit, the biggest issue that "we" ran into was pre-made hoses not the right length, belt for alternator wrong & wrong size oil cooler. Dave did resend or had replacement parts right away. That was really the size of it. In talking to both the mechanics ( one retired & came in to help as per my request ) who have plenty of experience at engine upgrades, they said it was as clean and simple as they had seen. Is there issues, always, but they said it was pretty straight forward. No major complaints. The time frame involved on this project was mostly because I requested only certain people working on it. That being the most widely needed man in the shop, a very busy shop!! Hence, my calling in the retired guy. And here the word calling really means begging!

I appreciate all the conversations, keep them coming.

[cworman]

Well the day finally arrived to be released by the "Doc" & out of the sling & headed for Belgrade, Mt! Had a date with 2218B, & brought her home. I will try & attach a couple of pics, sometimes it works & sometimes it don't. (For Me) One will be of the previous owner & the other will be of the instrument panel on the flight home. It will speak for itself. I have to put some more time on her to give my opinion, but initially, "WOW"! Clear, beautiful, calm day & 7500' elev. & 9500' elevation. I believe that Dave has really tapped into something here.