One option that must be considered when choosing an aircraft engine for your homebuilt is to
build/rebuild an existing automobile engine
. This strategy certainly is not for every builder, but some will find that it satisfies many needs which are unavailable with a ready-built engine.
For example understanding and touching every part inside the engine removes the mystery of the part of the plane that most of us are least familiar.
Reliability
can be a plus when the engine was engineered and built with a track record with millions of miles/hours of run time.
Parts
are readily available and inexpensive.
Maintenance
can be performed by the builder. And to top the list:
pride in the accomplishment
of restoring an engine for flight and
SAVING of lots of money
compared to purchasing a new powerplant.
This week's Tip investigates one of the only organizations that
actively instructs and demonstrates auto engine rebuilds
for the experimental aircraft builder using the Corvair engine. If you are not familiar with this workshop, watch now!
