I’m building an RV-7 tip up and my original thoughts were to go with a 360 angle valve similar to what Dan C did in his 7.
I made the decision to go with the IO-390 after watching the success of one of the local guys in Green Bay (Dick Martin) who was one of the first to install the 390 in a RV8. Dick has one of the fastest 8’s around. Prior to the 390 Dick had a hopped up 360 in his 8 and was always leery about the long term reliability, approaching 1000 hours it started making serious metal and was removed from service. A stock Barrett 390 replaced it offering additional speed over the hopped up 360.
Several things interested me about this engine; the compression ratio is relativity low at 8.9 to 1 so it should offer a long life. I'm not interested in racing just high speed cross country.
The uncertainty of 100LL in the future, this engine has a good chance to operate on auto fuel and produce 200+ HP should the need arise.
The AFP fuel injection system has the ability to operate LOP.
On my last aircraft I installed GAMI injectors and a JPI 760 and operated LOP successfully for the last 9+ years.
The engine has a small weight penalty of 8 lbs over the 360 angle valve which I believe I can make up some where. (12” pizza instead of the 14”)
I spent some time in conversations with Allen Barrett about this engine and placed the order last January agreeing to display it at Oshkosh in Barrett’s booth. You may recall seeing the blue engine near the aisle.
I have the engine in my shop but have not installed it yet, I’m working on the canopy and it would be in my way if mounted up. I’m hoping to be in a position to run the engine next summer with a BA Hartzell.
Danny King mentioned on the yahoo -8 group that ECI is coming out with a stroked parallel valve -360 that will have around 400 cubic inches and about the same weight as a std 360.
Might be interesting!
Or there is the IOX-340 ...
So many choices ... I'm starting to feel like weathervane!
Don, thanks for the info. I saw your engine at OshKosh in the Barret booth. As a matter of fact my son and I stopped by there 2 or 3 times and looked at it. It is a gorgeous piece of hardware. Barrett does a really nice job and I am hoping I can swing one of their engines when I get to that point.
Oh, yeah, sorry about all the drool on your engine.
JohnR
RV-7A - Fuselage - SOLD, just not supposed to be
Numbers 6:24 - The LORD bless thee, and keep thee
Cool, Thanks Don! Keep us posted regarding the install of brackets, baffles and cables!
The thing about displacement that I like over a "Stroker" design is that these (Aircraft) engines were initially designed for less cycles and less internal moving mass.
Low RPM and short strokes.
This means less maintenance and smoother operation.
That is why a displacement engine appeals to me.
CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!
CJ
The IO-390 uses the Dynafocal Type 1 engine mount which I purchased from Van’s.
When I ordered the finish kit I deleted the entire engine cowl and wheel pants as I will use a James cowl, plenum and wheel pants. I have received the pants and plenum and should have the cowl before the end of the year.
The front mounted prop governor requires a small cut out in the plenum; I have not started on that yet so I don’t know the extent of the rework.
The forward facing AFP injection will mate up to the K&N filter and the air inlet on the lower forward cowl as shown in the lower photo. The alternate air comes from inside the cowl.
CJ
CJ
CJ
CJ