I test ran the rebuilt engine today and after about 16 oz of fuel it was turning 10.4 K RPM a couple of times when I leaned it out a little. Didn’t want to peek it up too much but also not run it rich with a new AAC liner and piston. My pipe length is 18” from the center of the glow plug to widest spot in the pipe which I believe is a good starting point for the pipe length when running an APC 12 -10W. Looks like I picked up 300 RPMs with the new bearings and Nelson sleeve/piston set. The pump and carb are working great with a good idle and smooth transition to full RPM. I expect with some more running the RPMs will pick up some as the engine still has a pretty good squeak as the piston moves through the upper part of the cylinder. The only significant event during the test was when a curious wasp got a little too close to the front of the prop and I got a face full of wasp parts! Ugh!!

Next step was setting up the fuel lines. I like to put a piece of fuel tubing over the end of the lines to keep them in place. I open the loop with a hemostat and slip the line trough the loop. It’s kind of tricky process but not bad after you figure out how to do it. It is pretty tight behind the engine for the lines but I think I got everything in without any line kinks. We will know soon! The brass U is a part I made for the Tiporare so I borrowed it for the Blue Angel. The top line is removed for fueling along with the vent check valve on the vent line. The black thing on the engine fuel supply line is a fuel filter with a piece of heat shrink on it to prevent it from making metal to metal contact on the engine. The check valve keeps the vent line from dribbling fuel and loss of fuel at various flight attitudes and keeps the airframe a little cleaner.

Not much left to do now. It is a little heavy on the right side even though I used my heaviest balsa on the left wing to offset the weight of the side mounted engine and pipe. I’m going to add a smidge of lead in the left wing to fix that. Got to glue the rudder hinges and check and adjust the control throws for final trim.

To be continued…