Steve Osborne
Senior Member
With the engin cold set the belt tension to 1.5 belt tickness @ 70 degrees. I am still useing the original bearings they have about 875 hrs on them.
Second, I have been running the prop belt extremely tight, should I lessen the tautness on it slightly? I'm thinking that the tension may have contributed to the wallering of the bearing seat.
How tight do most of you run your prop belt?
If you ever need to replace that redrive bearing you may need a hydraulic arbor press to remove it, after using locktite on it?! Then again...maybe not.
If after flying, the belt has wandered fwd. and is showing no upper sprocket material fwd. of the belt, it surely is rubbing the plate fwd. of the lower drive sprocket. I've found a fix to eliminate that condition.
Cheers
So kindly tell us what's the fix for the belt rubbing Harry?
If you ever need to replace that redrive bearing you may need a hydraulic arbor press to remove it, after using locktite on it?! Then again...maybe not.
One other thing one may use when tensioning the drive belt, is to eliminate any backlash in the threads when tightening that big bolt:
First loosen all four bolts and rotate the cam so the belt is loose. Position the belt so's you have the redrive sprocket material showing on either side of the belt.
With the three small bolts and the big one loose, position one blade, level at the 3 o'clock position. Hang about a 15 lb. weight on the tip end of the blade...two gal. of water in a pail will do nicely.
Rotate the cam to tension the belt 1 to 1 1/2 times the belt thickness. Personal preference commands here. I personally use one belt thickness.
Torque the big bolt and recheck the belt tension. Retain the blade tip weight and torque the three small bollts in rotation. Recheck the tension. Remove the weight and verify belt tension.
If after flying, the belt has wandered fwd. and is showing no upper sprocket material fwd. of the belt, it surely is rubbing the plate fwd. of the lower drive sprocket. I've found a fix to eliminate that condition.
Addendum...Any RAF owners that have the belt rubbing at the crank sprocket can e-mail me for a possible fix.
Cheers
Well, that's hard to beat...Duane being your mentor and all, except, that's a long ways from Battle Creek, isn't it?!
Cheers
Bundling up works for me but the few others that like to fly with me want doors, heat, etc.
And, my HS has both winglets and a keel extension. I'm going to put 'em on next trip to the field.
Tommy