In between out-of-town trips to TX and IL and catching the grunge, got hydraulic lifter issue resolved and adjusted the propeller to get ground takeoff power between 4950 and 5050 RPM.
Following SI-012-018R1, lifters for #2 cylinder still seemed soft. Others sort of softened up as well over several runs. Called Lockwood and they advised to run the engine, once warmed up, to between 2500 and 2800 RPM for about 15 minutes. Then after engine cools to ambient temperature, press firmly on push rod and immediately check rocker arm clearance. If gap between the rocker arm and valve stem does not immediately open up, then lifters are OK. Lockwood said that lifters will slowly bleed and sometimes the 3 second wait with force on push rod could give a false indication. All lifters checked fine using the method described. With a firm push on each lifter, did not get any opening between rocker arm and valve stem when checked immediately after applying force. Lifters good to go!
Adjusted the prop multiple times with the following results: Prop Angle/Ground Take Off RPM 71.4 degrees/5330 RPM 68.5 degrees/4830 RPM (used 68.5 based on VAF forum searches) 69.4 degrees/4900 RPM 70.3 degrees/4980 RPM The RPM bounced around a bit during power runs so the RPM values list are close approximations.
