03 May 2006 Back Problem
The progress on my project has ground to a screeching halt due to the worsening of my sore back. I believe I first injured my back while doing a "helicopter" with my then-two year old...
Welcome to rv8.ch
This little site will document the progress on the building and flying of a Van’s RV-8 experimental aircraft. You will find images, tips, tricks and techniques that I have learned and from others on the net.
HB-YMM Experimental Homebuilt Van’s Aircraft RV-8
20 Apr 2006 Instrument Panel
Here's the current view of my instrument panel design. The panel is out to get cut right now at http://www.experimentalair.com/ using their high tech water jet cutting machine. I've got the GRT EFIS Sport http://www.grtavionics.com/, Garmin...
18 Apr 2006 Alternator Belt Tension
From Vern Little on the Van's Air Force website: Belt deflection is an unreliable method of tightening the belt. Instead, use a torque wrench on the pulley nut and adjust the tension so that you get about...
16 Apr 2006 Fuel pressure manifold
Here's what I used to hook up the fuel pressure sender and the fuel pressure switch. I got this manifold from Aircraft Spruce. The rest is standard aviation stuff. ...
13 Apr 2006 2.25″ altimeter
I picked up the 2.25" altimeter that I might use. I have not yet taken it up to see if it works right, or brought it to a repair station. I need to do this....
07 Apr 2006 instrument panel hole sizes
Here is an image that shows the sizes for many of the round instrument panel cutouts. I had a bit of trouble finding this, so I thought it would be useful to post it here. ...
31 Mar 2006 Fuel system pressure test
To test the fuel system, I hooked up some fittings between the intake and return fuel lines just outside the fuselage. I put a + on there, with the "schrader" valve that comes with the...
17 Mar 2006 Cooling system plumbing shots
These are just some random shots of the cooling system plumbing. Looking up from the bottom center to the left. Black corrugated split loom hose cover is over the hose that returns from the cabin heater. Looking...
12 Mar 2006 First engine start
I started my engine this afternoon. It took about two seconds of pressing the start button, and it fired right up. Nice little rumble. Very smooth. I used my wife's camera to take some video, but...
09 Mar 2006 Coolant tank – version 3
I hope this is the final version of the coolant tank. This is the second one I had built at Canton Racing (http://www.cantonracing.com/), and it is as nice as the first one. The first one...
07 Mar 2006 Wiring behind the panel – 1
Now it's time to start wiring behind the panel. One of the most difficult steps is to figure out where to mount things. Once you've done that, the rest just sort of falls into place....
07 Mar 2006 Fuel pressure bleed valve
Update 20210918: I didn't install the Eggenfellner Subaru engine, so any post that references that can be ignored or used as a cautionary tale about how to avoid wasting many years and $50k. Here are a...
06 Mar 2006 Don’t turn back!
This is a great article by Doug Rozendaal. In response to the RV-List thread on turning back to the airport in the event of an engine failure after Take Off I have assembled this editorial. To...
01 Mar 2006 starter and alternator contactor
Here are a couple of quick photos of the contactor for the alternator and starter. I really don't need a starter contactor, but to simplify wiring, I've connected the alternator to the starter, and the...
01 Mar 2006 Engine and electrical system grounding
I mounted the forest of tabs ground onto the airframe. I ran one ground wire back to the batteries, and two ground wires from the engine to this single location. All the fat orange wire...
01 Mar 2006 Boost control wastegate
The supercharger needs some method of boost control. Originally, this was going to be electronic, but for a variety of reasons we're going with a manual boost control, or wastegate. The boost control will be next...
27 Feb 2006 ECU mounting to airframe
The ECU box needs to be mounted somewhere cool, dry, and somewhat isolated from vibration. The massive wiring bundle does not leave a lot of slack, so finding the best place to mount it is...
22 Feb 2006 Stainless Steel firewall penetration
Update 20210918: I didn't install the Eggenfellner Subaru engine, so any post that references that can be ignored or used as a cautionary tale about how to avoid wasting many years and $50k. I use...
22 Feb 2006 Custom intercooler hump hose
The standard 3" hump hose that came with the kit was not quite long enough. Unfortunately, the 2.75" diameter hump hose only comes in 3" lengths. I really wanted a 4" length, so I found...
19 Feb 2006 Fuel system plumbing completion
Finally - the fuel system plumbing is complete! I added the final parts of the fuel return system today. Here's the 1/2" hole for the AN833-5D bulkhead fitting. The hole from the inside of the cockpit. Here's the...
18 Feb 2006 Firewall penetrations for heater
I finally got to the point where I can make the firewall penetrations for the heater. The recommended way is to have the hose barbs for the heater penetrate the firewall, and just seal them...
17 Feb 2006 Cooling system modification
The way the cooling system is set up from the factory, there is a hose coming from the top of the engine to the expansion tank and then down to the water pump at the...
17 Feb 2006 Coolant expansion tank Version 2
I decided to check the junkyard again to see if I can find a better expansion tank there. I found what I think will be a good one. It came from a Renault van, and...
17 Feb 2006 Fuel pressure regulator mounting
I've been staring at the fuel pressure regulator for about a year, trying to find a good way to mount it. I've seen it done mainly with adel clamps, but I really didn't like that....
10 Feb 2006 Intercooler Mounting Brackets
The intercooler is used to cool down the compressed air coming from the supercharger before it goes into the engine. Cooler air is more dense, so it helps produce more power. The engine kit came with...