Jeffmac Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Hello all. New to this site and not very adept at the electronic media so apologies for any mistakes made. I fly an EA 81 powered Karatoo from Truro Flats in South Australia and in the process of construction of a Fisher Celebrity biplane also to be Subaru powered. The Celebrity is covered and in the early stages of completion. I have noticed several familiar names on this website and look forward to sharing experiences. Cheers, Jeff Mackereth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man emu Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Jeff, Welcome to the place to be. I hope that you read up on how to post pictures here so we can all see your Celebrity. Old Man Emu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
microman Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Hi Jeff - welcome aboard - interested to know about your experience with Subaru engines - they were quite popular for a while here in NZ but in recent times have largely gone out of favour. Two Karatoo owners I know of both had Subaru engines - both had numerous problems and eventually gave up and fitted Rotaxes. The conversions were done by people who supposedly knew what they were doing but the engines just wouldn't hold together. Whats the secret? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffmac Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 Hi Jeff - welcome aboard - interested to know about your experience with Subaru engines - they were quite popular for a while here in NZ but in recent times have largely gone out of favour. Two Karatoo owners I know of both had Subaru engines - both had numerous problems and eventually gave up and fitted Rotaxes. The conversions were done by people who supposedly knew what they were doing but the engines just wouldn't hold together. Whats the secret? I have had a pretty good run with the EA81 engines. Mine have AMAX redrives, I have fitted modified intake manifolds and Weber twin throat downdraught carbs. Carb de-ice is essential. Use polychain belts with the redrive - rubber will fail by stripping the teeth off the belt after 200 hrs in my experience. A better redrive is the Foxcon. My engines have a camshaft to suit around 4000 rpm. cruise and the powerhead has proved quite bullet proof. The engine in the Karatoo has done 600 hrs. and I expect in excess of 2000 before overhaul. John Birrell, a fellow South Australian and RF member is the guru on EA81 engines and a valuable source of proven information. Hope this helps. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernsey Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Hi Jeff, good to have you on the forum having spent many enjoyable years with you at Truro Flats. How about getting some of the other boys to join, as I'm sure we all have some very interesting stories to tell both true ones and some as . I must get back up there some day but Jacqueline has not been too good and has just had another risky operation and is currently recuperating. Give our regards to all the lads and lasses. Alan and Jacqueline Marriette. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushcaddy105 Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Welcome Jeff, and I am flattered by my elevation to guru status! You must have been putting some time in to the Celebrity to have completed so much. I must make the effort to detour via Riverton some time soon so I can take a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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