KeithO
Well-Known Member
That is because Zoche and other projects like it exist to absorb development money and nothing else.
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Martti Mattila
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2021
- Messages
- 65
One customers Avid F. had first gen. Jabiru 2200 and someone had made a bafflings the same way like VWs. When you looked down from heads theres no air passage and cooling fins from above to down to do the job at all. So air should flow vertical to do the job. That is the way that those glasfiber srouds are made in J. factory. Maybe bad Jabirus in Europa is derivated from this. They are baffled like VW s.
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When it comes to new engine development, even if experimental only, the market just isn't there to justify the expense at the low end of the power range. As much as I'd love to see something like a small, four-cylinder, air-cooled inline hit the market, it's hard to imagine that happening.
True, for a clean sheet new engine. The aero market is just too small. Depending on how electric cars and the charging infrastructure develops, it is possible we'll get a crop of small range extender IC engines that could be adapted and useful in aircraft.
Back to the OP: For the right person, building ready-to-install 32-80 HP aero VW-based engines from the readily available new parts is a proven business opportunity. No new trails need to be blazed, but there's lots of existing knowledge to learn and use.
If desired, there are also ways to offer something different in the ready-built VW aero engine world (HVX modifications done, low cost EFI/EI, hand-start flywheel side prop with magneto, etc).
Would this be a good side hussle for a retiree? Maybe. If built up and nurtured, and with the luck of a steady or growing aircraft market, maybe it could also support a young family for a few decades.
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Four of the single cylinder Briggs or other high-volume industrial engines joined together inline, with the requisite engineering done on connecting the crankshafts, might allow someone to accomplish this faster than a clean-sheet start.
TFF
Well-Known Member
Inline-four Made From Four Briggs & Stratton Engines – Engine Swap Depot
engineswapdepot.com
WonderousMountain
Well-Known Member
You want to make some of my parts bro?
WonderousMountain
Well-Known Member
You want to make some of my parts bro?
Maybe someday. Still in the process of getting ground broken on my pole barn. Then I've got a slew of projects already lined up. But one day I might want to be able to produce something at my own pace that will help keep the lights and heat on in the shop.
Chopndrag
Well-Known Member
What do you need I make all kinds of parts
Ah....retirement.
You will wish you had a day job again. Nothing seems to eat up 'spare time' like having too much of it.
WonderousMountain
Well-Known Member
The most intimidating right now is a Reverse Johnson bar, where the flaps deploy on downward pull motion the lower set are slave strut rigged. Ideally they would quick-latch when the wings are fastened on (no fold). Stabilizer also has winglets in need of 90° adjuster, from vertical to flat plane.
"How did I ever find time for a job?!"
Brünner
Well-Known Member
How about this as a side hustle?
KeithO
Well-Known Member
I think better materials would be needed to make it durable. also the VW head heat dissipation was already marginal before it was cut down so now would be worse. But it makes a nice proof of concept....
Somebody who could make that as a side hustle, would be the last one on earth who needs a side hustle...
Okay maybe he does: making some petrol money for his yacht.
"Somebody who could make that as a side hustle, would be the last one on earth who needs a side hustle..."
Took the words right out of my mouth. lol.
Straight up. Way beyond my skill level.
Took the words right out of my mouth. lol.
Straight up. Way beyond my skill level.
