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Building Integrity
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Date:  3-15-2017
Number of Hours:  6.00
Manual Reference:  Section 2
Brief Description:  Cleared for takeoff, but close to home

So details first. Spent all the time I needed getting the engine back together and following the ECI Break in Procedures religiously including their recommended Phillips XC 20W-50 oil. Knowing I need to get my CHT's up on cyl 5 and 6, I removed the original baffle blocks and installed the new baffle seals that I painted to match the Rocker covers. They not only look great but work great. Surprisingly I need to block off yet even MORE of the cylinders to bring them all into harmony :) I'll be molding up another set of baffles, but this time to be bonded on the aft side of the cylinder, to assist in even cooling around the fins. More on those later on.
I also found a cracked brass fitting on one of the oil lines. It doesn't carry fluid itself so I thought I'd run her up anyways, and no leaks, so I went ahead and ordered a new one as a best practice.
Another success was the new oil breather exit tube routing. After landing it was wet with oil which is expected during break in, but now my prop is still clean :)
I'd also like to compliment the new set of exhaust clamps provided by Celata Aircraft. Smaller, thinner, and easier to install. His work is just excellent!
The good news is that the first 1 hour of flight, which is critical for breakin, went smooth and the engines power is great! I'm gonna need a new prop :) The BAD news, is that I think my rear main seal leak is getting worse. It started to leak when I used the Amsoil Dominator 15w-50 oil and hasn't stopped even after using Dino oil. I'm unsure that the oil could have damaged the seal, but the timing was just too perfect to say it didn't have anything to do with it. Looks like I will be pulling the rear main seal and replacing it. Ugh, more work ahead.

UPDATE: the major oil leak was found to be at one of the rocker covers though the rear main seal still leaks.
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Hammered Copper cyl. baffle

Hammered Copper cyl. baffle

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Cracked oil line fitting

Cracked oil line fitting

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new oil breather exit tube

new oil breather exit tube

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