Recent Posts

71

Builders logs / Re: Isotopes LEXL build in MO

« Last post by Isotope on December 17, 2025, 10:20:26 PM »

The Briggs arrived quick! Built a test stand, removed all the dead weigh and also removed all of the stator magnets "one pound worth" along with the armature. I am not interested in charging and a stand alone lithium battery for starting is all I'll need. Possibly a lipo as i am very familiar with them from my r/c hobby. At least now i will have something to do while i wait on the wood for the rest of the wing. 
ACE Aviation and Alaina at Culver Props seem kind of slow to respond. But im trying to be patient it is that time of year.

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Brock's bits - LEXLV3 / Re: Engine: Verner 3VLA

« Last post by Chuck in Indiana on December 16, 2025, 05:06:22 AM »

Aircraft hoses..this is no place to cheap out. Any one of those hoses failing will have you walking shortly.  Since the heads gravity drain, I made the level of the oil a smidgen lower than the bottom heads in level flight.

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Briggs and Stratton V-twin / Re: BS23 drive shaft

« Last post by leshoman on December 15, 2025, 07:45:26 PM »

The reason for 1" and the 1-1/8" is i broke the crankshaft because of hardened key, they are suppose to be soft steel. Found a 1-1/8" crank to replace it with so went that way.  Both sizes work.

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Brock's bits - LEXLV3 / Re: Engine: Verner Oil tank

« Last post by Brock on December 15, 2025, 05:21:02 PM »

Well, it's a wrap.  The oil tank is finished.  I was not energetic enough to hone the Aluminum-Tig skill for the job but had a willing friend who was happy to do it.  Someone said that it looks like a 'mine'.  It does have more pokey parts than I had pictured.  Now to find some hoses.  I'm curious what folks have used on their V3's.  Especially the pickup hose and 1" drain.  Did you use a straight drain hose or a 45/90 elbo?  I might try to find an AN/metric fitting for the pickup hose.

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Briggs and Stratton V-twin / Ace redeive bolt pattern

« Last post by Isotope on December 13, 2025, 12:21:21 PM »

Trying to get a culver prop on order. What info do they need for bolt pattern hub size etc for the ace redrive.

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Builders logs / Re: Tonys LEXL build in MO

« Last post by Isotope on December 12, 2025, 09:33:49 PM »

After a deep dive and finding not much info leaning to either a 1" or 1 1/8" shaft i just took a toss up and ordered the bsv23 386447-0090-G1 engine with 1" shaft like in the plans. My initial thought was the  bigger 1 1/8" shaft would be better but it seems alot of people are using the 1" with no problems.
 I also found a drive bushing off ebay for $70. And waiting on a brochure from ace to get a redrive on order.
 Now i just hope the rest of my spruce and plywood ship and get here befor my Christmas break.

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Briggs and Stratton V-twin / Re: BS23 drive shaft

« Last post by Jaggedscars on December 12, 2025, 09:10:51 AM »

I would assume it's a typo in the plans. Changing the shaft diameter (from 1-1/8" to 1") is impractical and would require a lathe.... The C405E-100 is for the 1" shaft. As far as shaft length, 3" or 4" should be fine, as you are not using the keyway nor the threaded portion in the center to hold anything in place. The driver sheave tightens down inside of the pulley to grip the shaft diameter. Only downside between the two lengths would be some additional weight, but that would be a few ounces at best.

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Briggs and Stratton V-twin / Re: BS23 drive shaft

« Last post by Isotope on December 12, 2025, 08:55:03 AM »

I recommend watching Les Homan's video series on the BSV23. In short, the Ace Redrive is agnostic to the size of shaft, so you can do a 1", 1-1/8", 1-1/4", etc... and shaft length around 3"... If you can find a good deal on an engine with a 4", you can always cut it down to the length you need. You will however have to purchase the drive sheave specific to your engine and they are keyless and use internal pressure to hold onto the shaft. Here is an excerpt from the BSV23 plans that are available at https://legaleagleairplane.com/product/briggs-and-stratton-engine-plan/ :

"Climax Metal Products C405E-112, for 1-1/8” output shaft, the number C405E-100 is used for 1” output shaft."

Recommend buying the plans if you haven't done so already.

 I own the plans and that is what i am confused about. In the beginning of the plans he mentions he has engine model no 3864470090G1. If you google that model number it is 1" shaft. Later in the plans when he talks about the bushing it says he used C405E-112 which is for 1 1/8" shaft.. So what shaft did he use? and did he cut or mod the shaft in any way?
 Im having trouble finding exactly what engine part number is what shaft. and exactly what shaft size i need, length, diameter etc. I would think the 1 1/8" would be best choice but looks like it only comes in 4" length? The way i understand there is no mods Les has done besides removed unused weight. I have watched all of Les's v23 videos and all the info in threads here i can find.

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Briggs and Stratton V-twin / Re: Dead stick broken valve

« Last post by Jaggedscars on December 12, 2025, 07:09:14 AM »

Nathan did a FANTASTIC job staying calm and aviating!

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Briggs and Stratton V-twin / Re: BS23 drive shaft

« Last post by Jaggedscars on December 12, 2025, 07:07:37 AM »

I am wondering about this too. Which shaft size to get and what will work with the ace redrive?

I recommend watching Les Homan's video series on the BSV23. In short, the Ace Redrive is agnostic to the size of shaft, so you can do a 1", 1-1/8", 1-1/4", etc... and shaft length around 3"... If you can find a good deal on an engine with a 4", you can always cut it down to the length you need. You will however have to purchase the drive sheave specific to your engine and they are keyless and use internal pressure to hold onto the shaft. Here is an excerpt from the BSV23 plans that are available at https://legaleagleairplane.com/product/briggs-and-stratton-engine-plan/ :

"Climax Metal Products C405E-112, for 1-1/8” output shaft, the number C405E-100 is used for 1” output shaft."

Recommend buying the plans if you haven't done so already.