Rebuilding elevators

Post by **Spike** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:06 am

Looks good Scott. You must be itchin to go flying again!

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:22 pm

Ah... okay. Major setback on the elevator rebuild. I don't know how or why other than I wasn't paying attention to detail and was distracted by the day job, and, and, and, BUT... the new elevators just don't fit right. The right one is OK but the left one just fit horribly. Even if I hadn't screwed it up the new elevators are visibly thicker than the horizontal stabilizer. Probably wouldn't notice it from 50 feet but if you get up next to it, it's apparent.

So, while I decide what to do, I have remounted the old elevators. I also went ahead and fitted my electric trim to the old elevator. I've been ground bound for 2.5 months and need to fly!!!!!!

I'm kind of bummed about this

and some things that happend at work so I REALLY need to get into the air. Also really want to get started in earnest on the 7 project.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:42 am

That is a bummer Scott! Hope you get up and flying soon! That'll take away life's gotcha's...at least for a little while.

dons · Post by **dons** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:26 pm

Sorry to hear that Scott, not the best thing that could happen. BUT, you wouldn't be doing this task and now about to do a 7 if you weren't resourceful enough to figure it out and move on. After all, that's what we all do, run up against problems, figure them out, and move on. I would consider talking to one of the people at Vans and see if they say something that might give a clue as to what is going on, they may not be able to solve the problem, but with the number of questions they get from builders like me that know nothing, they might trigger an idea for you. Just talking to one of them about the problem may be enough to come up with a plan. For now, take a break, go flying, then beat that problem.

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:47 pm

Yep, not going to let it get me down. I fly until the weather turns bad here in the valley. Fog season is coming and we'll all be grounded here for about 2 months. I can revisit then. I need to fly for a little while. Maybe get over to Livermore and visit the RVFactory.

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:38 pm

2 1/2 months is far too long for me.. I don't blame you for wanting to get up and flying for a while.

Heck, I get withdrawals from not flying 2 1/2 weeks....

Our RV-4 has been in the hangar for condition inspection this month and it's going on 3 weeks now. Can't wait to finish putting it together this weekend if possible and go fly. (gotta break in 1 new cylinder this time) We had a leaking exhaust valve that put our compression in that cylinder very low. (64/80)... the other 3 were in excellent shape at 78/80, so not sure why this one got a bad valve so soon.

Snap · Post by **Snap** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:13 pm

Tell me, is it the right rear cylinder?

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:57 pm

Bummer Scott!

You'll get it all figured out though. HAve you got it flying yet with the old elevators? I can sure understand why you would want to. If you expect two months of downtime coming due to the fog season it sounds like a good plan.

Keep the chin up!

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 12:15 am

Yep, the old elevators are on and rigged. Just need to tidy up and put things back. I'm hoping for this weekend. I'll post an inflight photo when I get it up and going again.