Claude Rateau - Experimental Aircraft Builder's Log

Falcon XP Build Site (Claude)

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Date: 10-17-2011
Number of Hours: 1.00
Manual Reference:
Brief Description: "New" Engine

When I bought my Falcon XP kit from Mike Fithian, it included a brand new but older (mid 80's) Rotax 503 engine. I had been doing some checking on would have prefered to be able to use oil-injection and have dual ignition. Neither were possible on the engine that I had. I also would need to replace the seals and purchase an electric starter. I ran across a Hirth 3202 (55HP) engine on e-Bay that was advertised as only having 10 hours total time, and won the auction. When it arrived, I found that it was complete and in good shape but UPS was shipping it upside down. Also, the wood that it was screwed down to on the "bottom" (now top) of the "crate" had broken loose and the engine was free to bounce around. This caused two spark plugs to be broken and the air filters on the carbureters to be crushed; both shown in the pictures below. I had made arrangements to ship the engine to the US Hirth distributor, Recreational Power Engineering, in Ohio where Matt Dandar would inspect the engine and let me know if I had bought a good engine or junk. More details to come in about a month.

Upside Down Engine

Broken Spark Plugs

Crushed Air Filters

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