Considering EX3

[Steve Pierce]

I have seen and heard of far worse cases involving major structures so do you due diligence. Airplanes can be deceiving be it factory built certified or experimental.

 

[mvivion]

That oil breather routed into the exhaust appears to me to be well intentioned, perhaps, but a really bad idea. I'd still put a whistle slot higher up....

 

[arborite]

is that a smoke system port? i can’t imagine the exhaust system maker putting that there for crankcase breather.

 

[Cardiff Kook]

Thanks, Steve. I connected w tac aero on prebuy

 

[Sikorsky]

Since conclusion has been made on the pre-buy, here goes some thread drift on case venting. My smoke oil goes into each exhaust stack at the same location on both sides as pictured, and I’ve intended for quite some time to route the breather tube into the exhaust someplace as well. In what location would be optimal and what diameter of hole? It’s got to be downstream of the burning smoke oil. Thoughts? Exp J3

 

[stewartb]

Since conclusion has been made on the pre-buy, here goes some thread drift on case venting. My smoke oil goes into each exhaust stack at the same location on both sides as pictured, and I’ve intended for quite some time to route the breather tube into the exhaust someplace as well. In what location would be optimal and what diameter of hole? It’s got to be downstream of the burning smoke oil. Thoughts? Exp J3

View attachment 110315

I have this kit with the fitting in one tailpipe. It works as advertised. https://antisplataero.com/product/crankcase-vacuum-kit-complete/

 

[Sikorsky]

What engine are running, and is it an exhaus stack for two cylinders or all 4? I'd really like to put the hole between the smoke oil insertion point and the muffler, only utilizing two cylinders but I wonder if the cyclical pressures operating on the vent would jack with the internal case pressure?

 

[stewartb]

IO-390 with dual exhaust stacks. Two cylinders is plenty. I did some vacuum tests that were posted in a thread here
a year or two ago. It does create vacuum, if that matters to you. I know guys running the breather to this fitting without the check valve, and that works, too, if a clean belly is what you’re after.

 

[Sikorsky]

The clean belly is my only concern. If there is constant vacuum, wouldn't the check valve just be one more thing to go wrong? With the smoke oil burring upstream, I wonder what that does to pressures? Most of the time the smoke is on, it's at a high throttle setting and rarely for more than 15 seconds...

 

[aktango58]

Steve, thank you for reminding us why good mechanics are worth their weight in gold!

Little things that can be big trouble.

 

[aktango58]

Stewart is spot on. Unless you are trying to make money with the Skywagon, take the cub to small places and don't worry about mods. A big difference in plane abuse also going into the brush and rough between cub and wagon.

Best of luck finding on 'perfect' plane.

 

[stewartb]

The clean belly is my only concern. If there is constant vacuum, wouldn't the check valve just be one more thing to go wrong? With the smoke oil burring upstream, I wonder what that does to pressures? Most of the time the smoke is on, it's at a high throttle setting and rarely for more than 15 seconds...

The check valve is necessary to create vacuum, otherwise the line breathes both ways. No issues with clogging that I’ve heard of and lots of car guys have been using this scheme for lots of years. The full system includes a pop-off valve to release pressure if anything does block it.

 

[aflyer]

I currently have my EX-3 for sale. If anyone was interested, I would be happy to take it to Mr. Pierce for a pre-buy.

 

[Cardiff Kook]

if well built- is it alot harder to sell an experimental? Alot harder to sell ex3 compare to fx3?

One nice thing about both my certified planes- i have no doubt i could easily sell either pretty easily.

One of my hesitations on ex3 is a fear of it being a pain to sell (because its eab)


valid concern?

 

[stewartb]

Simple answer. If you can’t sell an airplane that you purchased for the amount you paid? You paid too much. For a guy building and selling the answer is more complicated, but you’re not that guy.

 

[Steve Pierce]

Well built EX3s sell as well as an FX3 but usually for a tad bit less money but I have seen them sell for as much when there were not any FX3s on the market.