Original VP-2 Sport Aviation Cover January 1972

Call To Action

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • N331RA
  • Restoration Log
  • New Wing Build
  • Engine!
  • Articles
  • Links
  • Contact

Author: Bill Fluhr

Assembling the Plane for the First Time

Posted on October 20, 2024December 5, 2024 by Bill Fluhr
Thankfully I have help!
Ready for display at the Fall Fly-in
Engine mounted but lots yet to do.
Posted in Restoration Log

Long Block and Prop!

Posted on July 31, 2024August 4, 2024 by Bill Fluhr
Cool tins for better air flow below the cylinders
First head on!
Long block done!
And finally the Sensenich 60×32 prop test mounted 🙂
Posted in Engine!

Engine Coming Together!

Posted on June 27, 2024August 4, 2024 by Bill Fluhr
Measure deck height again with a much more expensive micrometer!
Cam to crank alignment … dot to dots
Initial crank end play with feeler gauge
Confirming end play … set at .005″
Case halves finally together!
Posted in Engine!

Miscellaneous

Posted on June 21, 2024August 4, 2024 by Bill Fluhr
Raw shaped plexiglass for the windshield
Powder coating the wheel rims
It will still be a while before tires go on.
Posted in Restoration Log

Powder Coating the Mount

Posted on May 25, 2024August 4, 2024 by Bill Fluhr
Gotta spend money on tools
Still on the oven rack after baking
Only test mounted on the firewall
The whole reason for the mount was to be able to fit the starter without cutting a hole in the firewall!
Posted in Engine!

Finish Welding the Engine Mount

Posted on May 8, 2024August 4, 2024 by Bill Fluhr
Had to make fixtures to prevent warping during welding
My son TIG welding
Tough to get the weld inside the tubes!
Posted in Engine!

More Case Clearancing Needed

Posted on May 7, 2024August 4, 2024 by Bill Fluhr
More case clearancing needed for the 82mm stroke
Clearancing
Removing small portion on bottom of rods
Rods needed rebalancing after bottom end work
Posted in Engine!

Cylinder Prep & Deck Height

Posted on April 30, 2024August 4, 2024 by Bill Fluhr
From the bottom, as received, flashing removed, primed, painted
Due to longer rods, pistons protrude above cylinder. Shims needed.
With shims and head gasket, deck height is now .036″
Posted in Engine!

Piston Coating & Start of Assembly

Posted on April 18, 2024August 4, 2024 by Bill Fluhr
Ceramic heat coating applied to top of pistons
Measuring rod clearances
Starting the assembly
Great Plains Force One prop hub
Posted in Engine!

VW Engine Case Work

Posted on April 15, 2024August 4, 2024 by Bill Fluhr
50 year old Mexican case never in a car
Taped before paint
Primed with zinc chromate
Topcoat with Hammered Silver 🙂
Posted in Engine!

Posts navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Recent Posts

  • Annual Breakaway Fly-in November 1, 2025
  • Fuel Injection October 21, 2025
  • Exhaust October 10, 2025
  • Brakes Again August 3, 2025
  • Locating and Plumbing the Oil Cooler August 3, 2025

Archives

  • November 2025
  • October 2025
  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • June 2019
  • April 2019
  • November 2018
  • July 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • November 2017

Categories

  • Engine!
  • New Wing Build
  • Restoration Log
Powered By DreamHostSpecial Thanks