Yamma-Fox

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Everything posted by Yamma-Fox



  1. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic YAMAHA RX-1 (140 HP) install in Kitfox 5   

    My throttle cable "cylinder " hole will get drilled through other half after welding (pic below).
    Also the spring in pic above is obviously there to balance out the throttle return spring on the carbs / throttle bodies.  I got one at ACE hardware that was strong enough to naturally pull to about 3/4 throttle, which under some failure scenarios would leave me with some thrust in the air.
     

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  2. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic YAMAHA RX-1 (140 HP) install in Kitfox 5   

    THROTTLE REVERSER:
    Since the yamaha snowmobiles use a "pull" throttle, there is a need to reverse that to a "push" for aircraft use just like the 2 stroke Rotaxes.
    Yet another big thanks to Steve Henry for sharing his ingenuity.  This time on his panel mount throttle reverser.
    Steve also sells these at a very reasonable price.  When I counted my time, welding, and materials, I was none ahead in doing this myself, but was itching to work in the shop today and knocked this out. 
    Pic with tape measurer is the one steve shared, other is my copy ready to send to the welder who will cut my throttle control hole and tig up 3 places.
    And YEAH, my "rivet in pivot" is temporary!
     


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  3. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Calling on the creative storage guys   

    ....that's why I bought a motor from you... sight unseen!
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  4. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Trying to get my side work going more   

    About what might a PC job on a motor mount run?
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  5. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Trying to get my side work going more   

    Pm'd you
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  6. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Plane Crash Recovery Big Lake Alaska   

    Please... oh PLEASE never let there be a time when my plane goes for a helicopter ride!

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  7. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Sabaru vs Rotax 912 UL   

    I count our freedoms in the EAB world high among those that we still have left!
    You imagine it...  create it...  fly it.
    And if you think about it, there's not really a lot of oversight or regulation hancuffing or confining us.
    I think that is so damn awesome!!
    Funny though how some people are appalled by the thought of things not being regulated or limited and are just beside themselves in angry attempts to take freedoms away from others.  Really pisses me off.
    OK...  hijack and rant over.

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  8. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic YAMAHA RX-1 (140 HP) install in Kitfox 5   

    The Yamaha oil cooler is integrated on the side of the engine next to the oil filter.  It routes engine coolant through it to do the primary cooling then oil also goes to the large remote tank where it is cooled further.
    So no addnl oil cooler like the 912. 
    As for my external components, I'm putting the oil tank fwd of the header where ram air comes in the cowl, my belly radiator will likely get moved under the engine with an aux fan, voltage regulator + starter relay on the engine mount, and on the firewall I plan to mount the fuel pump and coolant tank.
    Behind the panel I have the ECU.
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  9. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Sabaru vs Rotax 912 UL   

    Yeah I think most 912 I've heard are more in that 160 lb area..  FWF minus radiator.
    That question comes up a bit with people looking into Yamaha (which come in around 175 lbs FWF).
     
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  10. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Sabaru vs Rotax 912 UL   

    My NSI manual listed my old Subaru E81 at 225 lbs (total FWF weight).  I never weighed it myself but am pretty sure they wouldnt have overestimated it.
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  11. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Engine out outlanding   

    Being in the "vented tank" camp, I really do not want to bring us back to an old debate, but FWIW my old KF2 (with a big "header tank" LOL) would get an airlock in the feed line  from the wing tank to the main "header" tank.
    I would draw the main tank down to about half then turn the wing feed on (in the air).  Air would then rise up (mostly due to more pressure in the main due to a main tank cap tube that produced pressure better) and that higher pressure would push air (in the half empty tank) up into the feed line to the wing and "lock" out the flow.  I'd have to land and blow air into the wing cap tube to restart flow.
    So, possibly like the OP here, I was in a situation with unusable fuel in a wing (due to more pressure in one tank than the other). 
    Here's a possible scenario that would be like  what I experienced:  If his right tank pressurized better, then it may have fed better and went empty sooner.  Then, when empty, the pressure tube on the right continued to push across to his feeder / header (assuming no vent from header to left tank).  The pressure from the right may have had nowhere to go except up the fuel line to the left, stopping flow similarly to what I experienced.
    If you think about it,  it would be possible, (on the ground without header tank venting) to pressurize one empty tank enough to even reverse flow or blow air bubbles across to the other tank (if it were empty enough without a lot of head pressure), and that is why I am in the camp of header tank venting.  But, admittedly, this scenario I purpose only arises in the air with a significant pressure differential (uncommon) and low head pressure (low quantity in other tank).  Kind of a rare scenario, and that is probably why systems without vents work just fine for people most all of the time.
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  12. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic YAMAHA RX-1 (140 HP) install in Kitfox 5   

    OK.  The basic frame of the mount is all done and ready for the pro welder.  It'll come back built enough to hang the motor and figure in addnl stucture and accessory mount points before it goes back for final welding and powder coat.
    Also note that in building my mount using the firewall as my jig (and not a proper jig), I used oversize tube (3/4") at the FW mount points and am using brass bushings with an offset hole (not in middle of bushing) to allow for the  small amount of warp that I anticipated the mount would undergo in welding.  So far that plan has worked well and I only had about a third of an inch warp in the main weld-up of the mount.
    Next will be some slow going while planning out and ordering all the little hardware and connections for oil and  cooling systems.


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  13. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha RX1 Engines   

    The fella in ND is William Langford.  He has made up some FWF components for the Yamaha that fit the KF 4-7 and has offered to help with custom engine mounts.
    Problem there for you obviously is about 1000 miles!
    But dont be too intimidated with making your own custom mount.  I had not done it before and (with some help and a lot of time) was able to tackle it:
    http://www.avidfoxflyers.com/index.php?/topic/5345-yamaha-genesis-rx-1-install-in-kitfox-5/&page=2
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  14. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha RX1 Engines   

    There's a guy in ND that could help with that.  Not sure where you are located?
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  15. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Engine out outlanding   

    Jim what type of valves are you using?
    I think I'd like to run them as well, for several reasons imcluding a fuel leak scenario and I will also be able to test - check my fuel level low system easier.
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  16. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Engine out outlanding   

    Glad you had a good landing option in that field!   Nice job getting your plane down safe!! 
    I think your big question is why you couldn't use the fuel in that left tank.  The guys here will have better ideas on that than I do, but my first thought is the same as "wypaul", whether or not you are equipped with a header tank.  The other thing I've seen is a failure to get ram air pressure in a tank (clogged fuel cap pressure tube / bad fuel cap gasket / fuel cap backwards)
    In hopes of having a warning if a fuel feed problem arises, I  installed a low fuel warning above my 1.5 gall header tank.
    This is the system Kitfox sells as an "add on" low fuel warning.  Designed to give 10-15 min warning if fuel stops flowing (empty tank - clogged finger strainer - vapor lock - etc.)
    In theory a system like that should warn in a situation like you describe.


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  17. Yamma-Fox added a topic in Avid and Kitfox parts Suppliers   

    Low Fuel Level Warning - Kitfox Kit
    A while back there was a post about low fuel warning where I said I would post up the kit Kitfox is currently selling once I got mine from them.
    Nicely done kit indeed.  Every last little washer, tube clamp, ect is included.  Simple one page instructions.
    $185
    Basically you tie into the fuel vent line and add a small tank which is mounted just above the header tank.  Small tank has a float switch.  In theory if fuel in wing tanks is empty or otherwise unavailable, the small added tank will go empty before the header tank and the float switch will activate a panel light.
    I plan to use the flashing and buzzing type light because the one kitfox sent was a small sinlge led type which I probably would not notice.
     



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  18. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha Apex Skytrax Adapters   

    An update due here since Teal has now finished extensive ground testing (over the past few months) with this gearbox and now has it off to Steve Henry for flight testing.
    Teal is also accepting deposits on gearboxes and I'll remind him to come in here and post up the details.
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  19. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Subaru Turbo   

    Not a sales pitch here, but the Yamaha comes in at about 30- 40 lbs less than a Soob... with 130-150 HP.
    Lotta work to do a custom install, but one fella out there provides a semi complete FWF package for Kitfox.  With a motor and all costs taliied up you'd be looking at right about $10k.
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  20. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Custom Header Build Option   

    Yep, i am saving the space under the motor fo a change to an in-cowl radiator.
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  21. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic YAMAHA RX-1 (140 HP) install in Kitfox 5   

    Yeah the internal tube has smoother transitions than what you see on the outside.  And ideally that would be more of one piece formed tubes like you see when they do big production runs on something like motorcycle headers.  But I suppose for a "one off" this is about as good as one can expect.
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  22. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Custom Header Build Option   

    Plese forgive the double post, but I did this same poat over in my build thread.
    Thought it might be interesting to some that aren't following that so I put it here too.
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  23. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic YAMAHA RX-1 (140 HP) install in Kitfox 5   

    CUSTOM HEADER:
    I had a great experience with an outfit here in MN helping me build headers for the Yamaha!
    I first looked at trying to rework some auto / motorcycle headers but quickly learned that for a unique "one off" application that has to precisely fit under a cowl, you really have to go custom.  So then you have two options:  1. DIY using auto parts fittings or 2. Go with the GP mock up kit which allows the following advantages:
    1.  A totally custom header design.  With the mock up kit you have virtually unlimited options as to the routing, design, and output of the header. The guys at the header shop have a lot more options than you can find at NAPA!
    2.  Professional fabrication.  This guy does this exclusively... all day and every day.  Top notch materials, processes, and weld quality will pay off down the road and is definitely worth a few extra bucks IMO.
    3.  Your choice of material.  From mild steel, 304 sst, and 321 sst.  Price estimates were approx $900 USD for mild steel, $1200 for 304 stainless and $1800 for 321. 
    My build was out of 304 and came to $1240 (with everything included).
    Below I will post up some pics of my build with the GP mock up kit.
    Pic 1 is of my pvc mock up with the GP kit.  It only took a few hours to make!
    Pic 2 is the one piece CNC cut flange that GP made up for the 4 cyl Yamaha motors (note that it is made for the mock up kit with internally threaded stubs and obviously not the one used for final fabrication) 
    Pic 3-5 are the finished product.
    https://www.gpheaders.com/products/custom-headers/
     






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  24. Yamma-Fox added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Custom Header Build Option
    Had a great experience with an outfit here in MN helping me build headers for the Yamaha and thought I'd post it for anyone else that might have a need to do something like this.
    I first looked at trying to rework some auto / motorcycle headers but quickly learned that for a unique "one off" application that has to precisely fit under a cowl, you really have to go custom.  So then you have two options:  1. DIY using auto parts fittings or 2. Go with the GP mock up kit which allows the following advantages:
    1.  A totally custom header design.  With the mock up kit you have virtually unlimited options as to the routing, design, and output of the header. The guys at the header shop have a lot more options than you can find at NAPA!
    2.  Professional fabrication.  This guy does this exclusively... all day and every day.  Top notch materials, processes, and weld quality will pay off down the road and is definitely worth a few extra bucks IMO.
    3.  Your choice of material.  From mild steel, 304 sst, and 321 sst.  Price estimates were approx $900 USD for mild steel, $1200 for 304 stainless and $1800 for 321. 
    My build was out of 304 and came to $1240 (with everything included).
    Below I will post up some pics of my build with the GP mock up kit.
    Pic 1 is of my pvc mock up with the GP kit.  It only took a few hours to make!
    Pic 2 is the one piece CNC cut flange that GP made up for the 4 cyl Yamaha motors (note that it is made for the mock up kit with internally threaded stubs and obviously not the one used for final fabrication) 
    Pic 3-5 are the finished product.
    https://www.gpheaders.com/products/custom-headers/
     





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  25. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic YAMAHA RX-1 (140 HP) install in Kitfox 5   

    Good idea.  Thanks for checking it over!
    Yes and as I was talking with a buddy here today, I think I will get it back from the welder, mount up the motor and fit all the accessories  (airbox, oil tank, coolant system, ect).  Then I'll mark off where I can add in some extra tube.  In studying other examples it looks like I should be doing exactly what you suggest, essentially running two braces from every firewall mount location, making a triangle of support from each.
     
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