[DZAUTO]

When trouble shooting a problem, for the most part, the standard rule of thumb is "Check the easiest, simple things first". Right? Such as loose bolts, loose wiring, spark plug wire off the plug, etc, etc.
As most of you know, we finally made our first flight in Nov. The left engine was not up to full power (yes, we flew anyway). We initially diagnosed the problem as a magneto problem (right mag on left engine). We checked everything we could, finally removed the magneto and sent it off to be checked and repaired as necessary. They sent it back, no problem found, $900 please, thank you.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, we have been looking at other possibilities.
Long story short. We checked continuity on all the plug wires and replaced 4 plug wires.
Yesterday, we pulled the plane out, ran up the engines ------------------------THE LEFT ENGINE RAN LIKE BRAND NEW!!!!!!!!!!!!
DAMN, only 4 faulty plug wires were the cause of the engine not running right (NO, we have never checked, nor replaced any of the plug wires!).
DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, the left engine is running great and no vibration. BUUUUUUUUT, now the generator on the right engine won't come on line. The generators are basic, simple Delco type generators, you know, like cars had back in the 50s-60s, only much bigger. And there is also an external voltage regulator for each generator (you know, like on early Chevys). The problem with accessing the voltage regulators is that they are located on the flight deck, right nest to and under the co-pilot seat--------------so the co-polot seat has to be removed to check them out. So while the engines were running, our wizard electrician is down on his hands and knees checking the regulators.

Next, I worked most of the day trying to get the steps built on the entry door. Hopefully I'll finish that next week and post pictures.
I AM READY TO FLY AGAIN-----------------WE JUST NEED SOME GAS MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rkd]

Congrats on fixing it. And, I stand corrected on my opinion on how easy it is to fly one of these. Also, I spent the money for the Chevelle trunk floor on beginning flying lessons. This is way harder than I thought. Apparently you dont get to the end of the runway and hammer the gas for take off. Even if there are no starting line lights. You have to ease in the power. So disappointing.... Have not got close to learning to land. But I found out how to spin!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DZAUTO]

Did you see the videos I posted earlier of our first flight?

 

[chaze]

So disappointing.... Have not got close to learning to land.

I've flown with guys that had 20 years experience and they hadn't figgered out either.

Nah, just funnin' with ya. You'll get the picture sooner than ya think...just like the rest of us.

 

[rkd]

I have watched every video of your restoration, love it!

 

[rkd]

Update, I have gotten to try landing a couple times. Got fussed at for waiting for the last turn off for the return road?

 

[DZAUTO]

THE LATEST update.
Bottom line, we are now 100% ready to resume our test flights!
A few weeks ago we were going to make our second test flight. There was a faulty hydraulic pressure regulator valve in the hyd system, so the flight was cancelled.
We started searching for a replacement valve, and to our dismay neither Walmart, Amazon or O'Reilly did not have one----------------imagine that!!!
Finally, we found a used one on the internet. No guarantee of its condition, but the seller said it worked when removed. We got it installed last Sat, but too late to pull the plane out and run engines.
So, today, we started getting the plane ready at 7am and had the engines running by 10am.
Good hyd pressure and the brakes worked like text book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FINALLY, 8mo later, we are ready to fly again!!!!!!!!!!! Now we just need to get a pilot lined up.