coinz

Bex,i went through Ross racing pistons in the US,others had been using them and they were recommended.They phoned me back and discussed the drawings i had sent them,so i ordered a set.The machine work ,has to be seen,lightening done on inside crown too. I have to agree these engines appear to be unstressed,2 weeks ago i stood not 20 meters from a jabiru leaving the ground on takeoff,(Palmira) delightfully quite engine,so unstressed.Pistons shouldn't be breaking up in this day and age,i take workers out to mines,gensets (Perkins) run 50,000 hours + with no more than oil changes,because they're designed correctly. cheers colin

Having pistons made up these days is simplicity itself,i've done it for motorcycle pistons.Usually a minimum of 4 are supplied.And you can go back in 6 months and have that piston exactly replicated,just quote the build number and they punch that into there computer and that's that,identical pistons to the originals.Is there any reason owners shouldn't be fitting forged pistons in these 4 cylinder motors,and are the 6 's susceptible also. Also +040" pistons suggest heavy piston,not ideal. cheers colin

This thing about the video being shot in portrait may not be his fault,i had some video's of my Supapup but after my laptop came back from a repairer they are all in Portrait too,and i haven't been able to change them back. cheers colin

Must get pretty expensive,i have a MSIC (marine) paid by the company and it has to be updated every 2 years which means i have to resit the test that goes with it. Think i'll stick with RAA as well. colin

The mystery clicking of this type motor has been solved ,Rod from Jabaru says it is the "permanent magnets in the alternator and the gear drive of the alternator"the clicking transfers all the way through to the Prop.If there's no clicking then some thing is wrong. cheers colin

No worries Nev,haven't had a chance to get back onto it,and leaving for Wanaka monday so will be away few weeks,but the clicking is definitely not coming from the cylinders according to the stethoscope,and it's exactly the same hot or cold. colin

thanks Nev,will pull one cylinder today if possible,looks like head and barrel are 1 piece, cheers colin

We've now gone thru and got oil circulating,engine started and runs fine,but low compression on one cylinder,looks like we''l have to do a valve job all round.However the clicking noise is still there,even after the motor was run for 15 minutes.I'm now thinking it may be the magnetized alternator rotor,and clearance in the accessory drive gears moving back and forward.I realize there's basically no parts for these relic's from the past,does anyone know someone with KFM experience? cheers colin

Good point Nev,it could have been a number of years, will make a phone call.As to the pressurizing,that's a good idea too,i imagine that will require removing the oil filter and pumping oil through the outlet.Will report back how we go. colin

Well i've done some searching and it's possibly a dry Gerator oil pump.Just needs priming possibly.Will have a go at it this morning,fingers crossed

I guess that's a possibility,but the sound appears more to the front of the engine.

Hi guys,engine is a KFM 112M ,hasn't been run for a while,only 300 hours.When turning the motor on the prop there's a clicking noise,somewhat like a impulse connection but more a clicking evenly spaced and not as loud as an impulse.It's there turning it either way,and there for the whole revolution.Evenly spaced,like every 5 degrees.Motor turns smoothly,no grating .It seems to be coming from the front. Any ideas before a complete teardown ? regards colin

Milz,yes i've been up through the Alps,from Midura down the Murray then up over the Alps and ended up at Mum's in Pambula.Skiers out to the left of me,beautiful clear skies and about minus 10C,does it get any better:thumb up: Hongie,if that's the blue Sav i've flown it that out at Nebo,i snuck some time in when it was out doing some flier training, about 1.5 by memory. cheers colin

Wow guys,i've been away for a few weeks and have just tuned in again to all these replies.I went to the "Old station" flyin ,what a terrific event,and the Trojan and yak were kept working constantly.Can see an air show coming up soon after that turnup. Just returned from Cooktown and Cairns and got to see 2 Storch's,on the way back.I'll keep looking something will turn up. I've got a 1951 Royal Enfield 500 Twin,been an interest of mine for 40 years these early Twins,don't know why but i love to get away on the odd Rally and catch up with like minded individuals,the Inverell rally is just one of many held around the country. Thanks for the offer of a hanger too,i'll be looking in to that one,will be a little busy from now on due to work at present. regards colin

Aw shucks Frank,i was just trying to make conversation.I don't really mind the wet up here.But the RA flyers are not to friendly up here. Colin.

Hello fellow aviators,just wishing to touch base,i live in Mackay (yes sunny Mackay where it never stops raining lately ) . Have been out of flying for some years and just came back from a road trip (m/cycle rally at Inverell) and included a short flight in the Sierra at Taree.Awsome plane that,fantastic vis over the nose. Anyway i've been looking to get into ownership and had been stuck on the Storch for years but who knows. Any spare hangar space out Palmyra guys? cheers colin