Kit Aircraft Modifications

I received this post on the Matronics RV-10 forum last night and it was a review of the RV-10 Axle Spacers. I was very pleased to receive the feedback from John Gonzales after he received his package in the mail from Cleaveland Tools. Here is what he wrote:

“Mine came in the mail today so I haven’t had the opportunity to install them yet, but positive comment is in order.

Not only are these stainless steel pieces milled extremely well, but the pre-load spacer’s tight tolerance and fit are very, very close. With no grease on the threaded spacer, it is beautiful to feel how the two parts fit (Glide) together. This is no cheap piece of hardware and they would more so belong on a very, very expensive telescope tripod or on tooling machinery. Better than anything the dental industry puts out.

Nice Job. Shame it is going to eventually get covered in grime.”

I think that I made the right decision to make these out of stainless steel and that I didn’t comprise on the design. Of the units I have sold, all have been happy with the quality and functionality.

Dave

Everyone,

As you all know by now I am going to install a Corvette LS-1 Engine in my RV-10. I have chosen the conversion package from Geared Drives and will be receiving my engine package next summer.

In the mean time I have been working on all of the systems that need to be in place to support this beast. One of those is the cabin heater. I now have the use of hot liquid coolant from the engine to heat the cabin so I have made a heater box that its in the center tunnel just forward of the fuel valve.

I called the fine people at British American Transfer (BAT Inc) and ordered a 4 in. SPAL slim line puller fan, a 115mm 13 row oil heat exchanger and a couple of 8AN banjo fittings. I then crafted a plenum that enclosed the fan that is placed on top of the heat exchanger. This allows the fan to pull air upwards through the heat exchanger and the plenum has 2 in. outlets pointing for and aft towards the front and rear seat distribution tees.

I mounted the heat exchanger on a couple of long rectangular, looped mounting brackets that hold it about 8 in. off of the floor. I did this for a couple of reasons . First, I needed to allow air access to the underside of the heat exchanger and this was accomplished by rasing it up. Second, I needed to get the outlet positioned so that there were essntially straight runs to the distribution tees.

I have it mounted in the tunnel and haven’t taken pictures yet so they will have to come later. I will also talk about the hook ups for this heat exchanger in another post.

Dave

I added the photos of the Adjustable Pre-load Spacers today to that entry to give you a chance to see what they are like.