Jim_R
Pattern Altitude
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
- Messages
- 1,888
- Display Name
Display name:
Jim
I have a Cherokee 180 with a Lycoming O-360-A4A (carbureted).
I have an engine monitor installed, so I can see my individual cylinder behavior.
With lots of futzing around in the air, I can often manage to run the engine lean-of-peak, but it involves messing with carb heat and there is some mild engine roughness in that condition...enough that passengers don't like it. Not sure I really do either, for that matter.
It's lots easier to find peak operation. Even using the engine monitor, I can't really improve over the manufacturer's procedure: Lean until engine stumbles, then enrich until smooth again. Quick, simple, and doesn't upset the pax if I warn them before I do it.
So, now I'm trying to answer two questions for myself.
Are those data easily available, or do I need to hire a test pilot to fly my plane for a while (and hope he doesn't ruin my engine while collecting the data!)?
I have an engine monitor installed, so I can see my individual cylinder behavior.
With lots of futzing around in the air, I can often manage to run the engine lean-of-peak, but it involves messing with carb heat and there is some mild engine roughness in that condition...enough that passengers don't like it. Not sure I really do either, for that matter.
It's lots easier to find peak operation. Even using the engine monitor, I can't really improve over the manufacturer's procedure: Lean until engine stumbles, then enrich until smooth again. Quick, simple, and doesn't upset the pax if I warn them before I do it.
So, now I'm trying to answer two questions for myself.
- I know peak operation is "safe" for the engine if done at low enough power settings. How do I know what power is "low enough" for my engine?
- How can I determine the difference in performance of my engine at "safe" LOP or ROP conditions at higher throttle settings vs. "safe" peak conditions at lower throttle settings?
Are those data easily available, or do I need to hire a test pilot to fly my plane for a while (and hope he doesn't ruin my engine while collecting the data!)?