engine mount pics?

[13brv3]

Greetings,

Does anyone have pics that show the mount for a single place Dominator? Ideally, pics of the heavier Subaru mount would be nice, but the Rotax mount would be helpful as well. I'm still trying to decide how easy it would be to mount the single rotor engine.

(later edit) I found some great pics of the 618 mount on the Screwdriver II. I have to assume this is very similar to how it would be done on a single. Is the heavier mount just made with thicker tubes?

Thanks,
Rusty (Kolb is moving out, Dominator is moving in)

[Timchick]

Sounds great Rusty.

[RobO]

Russell,

Here are some pictures of the custom mount I built for my oddball engine. This setup is a little different in that the engine sits on a "bed mount" plate that is sandwiched between vibration dampers.

Like most Dominator setups, it has the main gear shock absorber "walking beams" integrated.

The bed plate picture has a lot of duct tape around it because I had every hole covered up at the time.

Rob

[13brv3]

Thanks Rob,

Looks great! I was just admiring your "oddball" engine on the other thread. I'm sure I can give you a run for your money in the odd engine contest though ;)

From what I've seen of the mount arrangement, it looks like this is quite doable for the single rotor. I'd do something very much like you did, except without the center tube on the bed portion. What we often do with the rotary engines is sandwich a plate between the oil pan, and engine, then use that as part of the mount. Looks like I can use the same idea here.

Examples of 13B mounts - http://conversionconcepts.com/

Thanks again,
Rusty

[RobO]

The mounts from that link look nice, neat, and tidy. It looks like you could do something similar like you say.

The mounting points on the Suzuki engine are actually off center (to the starboard side in my pictures). All four ports of the exhaust actually come down through the other (port) side of the mount. So, that's why I had the "center" support (except that's not really on center either).

The mount was a challenge because I had to account for this off-center factor while making sure the thrustline was on center. That, and the exhaust and oil cooler also come out the bottom through the mount...and accounting for the suspension...but once I figured it all out on paper, building it wasn't that bad. Everything still had 90-degree corners.

You've worked with the rotarys before, so you're likely one step ahead of where I was at the time.

You may already have spoken with him, but Ernie at RFD has built more Dom mounts than any of us...it's well worth talking with him about it if you haven't yet.

Rob

[13brv3]

Thanks for the comments Rob. When it comes time to order the parts from Ernie, I'll certainly be asking about mount options. I'm still curious to see the "normal" mount for a Subaru, to see if it seems like something that can be modified for my use.

Unfortunately, even if it's close to what I need, I can't get Ernie to build it the way I need it, since I don't have a redrive at this time. I had one, but it had some severe resonance issues, and I sold it. Until I get a suitable drive, I won't be able to finalize a mount, since I won't know where the prop hub will end up.

I assume that the engine mount comes in the bundle of pre-welded parts that RFD sells. If so, I might just have them include the standard Rotax mount, and keep it as a fallback plan. None of this can happen until about the end of the Summer, so there's plenty of time to think about it.

Cheers,
Rusty

[RazorBlake]

Hey Rusty,

So, I hear you decided to get that gyro after all. Glad to hear it. I need some gyro flying buddies to recruit for my Gulf Coast Air Force that will be conducting an assualt on the Navarre beaches and waterways this year. BTW, I'm still looking for a place to park the Sport Copter if you see any of the hangar guys that have some room. Also, I posted some pics below that might look familiar. 850-803-5384 mobile

[13brv3]

Hi Blake,

Now I just wonder what sort of wacky engine that might be :p I'm sure looking forward to not having that fuselage tube running right under the engine, so I can use a real oil pan.

The current plan is to order the Dominator stuff when the RV-8 moves to the airport later this Summer. That way, I'll have the garage free for the Dominator work. I'm not sure if I'll be able to sell the Kolb for enough to make it worthwhile, so it might just end up sitting in the corner of the hanger.

The hanger situation is good news/bad news. The county recently sent out letters requiring proof of aircraft ownership, and also proof of insurance (with county listed as additional insured) for any aircraft in the hanger. This will likely weed out some of the subletters, but also makes it harder to let someone share a hanger. Technically, there isn't a (county approved) way for me to keep the Dominator in the hanger either, since I can't get liability insurance for it. I figure I'll worry about that when I have something to worry about.

BTW, how are the new hangers coming along? I'm stuck in Cleveland for another 3 weeks :(

Rusty

[_MOL_]

Rusty,
Go and ask Ernie for an Autoflight reduction drive. Its prob the best on the market today, and it can be supplied with engine mounts as well. I have a picture of the engine mount set-up somewhere, if you would like to see it.
I know it is a little expensive, but in the long run it will save you a lot of money invested in reduction drives and mounts that you wont be happy with.

[13brv3]

Hi Brian,

I'd love to see those mount pics if you can find them.

I agree that the Autoflight drive looks good, but it hasn't been proven with a single rotor yet, so it's not a guarantee at this point either. There is another fellow who's thinking about trying one, so maybe it will all be proven by the time I need it. There are a couple other possibilities as well, and fortunately, I won't need the drive until later this year, so I'm just waiting to see what works out. I've got all the tools to build a mount, so I'm not anticipating a major problem with that part of it.

Thanks,
Rusty

[_MOL_]

Ohhh, sry, my bad Rusty, I didnt read your posts correctly.
I thord you were going to install a EA81 on a Dom, thats why I suggested the Autoflight reduction drive.
Though, Neil produces an universal drive that might fit a Rotary engine.
He can maybe even design one specially for you. I know he does that as he just made me a long nosed version of his reduction drive.

[13brv3]

No problem Brian. Neil has in fact made a couple adapters to bolt a Mazda engine to one of his universal drives. Unfortunately, the single rotor engine has some troublesome torque reversals, that can be a real problem for gear drives. From the pictures, I think the Autoflight drive has a good chance of working, but hopefully someone else will try it before I need one :D

Cheers,
Rusty