Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Guys,

I was wondering if anyone was running Mogas successfully in their IO-320 engines? I have a 160 hp, D1A engine with the 8.5/1 compression ratio. The local prices of fuel here is $2.01 per liter for 100LL.($5.71/US gal)

Thanks,

Jim

The Peterson MOGAS STC isn't approved "for engines using Bendix fuel injection because it failed our flight testing". You might give them a call and see what the failure was.

https://www.autofuelstc.com/approved_en ... ames.phtml

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

I ran it in my carbureted 160hp O320 for a while. Performed fine, I just didn’t like the smell.
Cubes

I don’t think burning unleaded is a problem but I wouldn’t want to try it on this engine until I knew why the fuel injected Lycomings failed the flight tests. It may just be a case were a parameter fell just shy of FAA tolerances for “certified” aircraft but would be perfectly safe for “experimental” use or it could be a potentially serious problem. Whatever the problem, I think if it was an easy fix the STC would include the IO-320. The Bendix system was called out specifically as the reason for not making the STC, not the engine.

_________________
Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

I bought an IO360A1B6 nearly zero time, properly pickled and stored for several years. Then the owner decided to "crank it up to see what it sounds like". Using premium mogas with ethanol. 10 mins of ground run ruined the injection system. Next attempt to start several weeks later, it would barely run. He gave up on it and sold it to me. $1,100 OH on the injection system and it ran great. No mogas for my lycoming.

Rap

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Base: KALX
N8786
SN 929

If you run mogas - NO ETHANOL....it will swell any seal other than one made of "viton".

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

Thanks guys. I am not brave enough to even try it after reading the responses.


regards,

Jim

Good choice. I sent an email to Peterson and asked the big question. They were getting a vapor locks with the Bendix fuel injection system and, at the time, Bendix did not provide for the elimination of vapor. Apparently Bendix has since addressed the problem but not well enough for him to pursue an update to the STC.

_________________
Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson