Engine: Verner 3VLA

[Brock]

Got word Friday that my Verner should ship in the next two weeks.  Exciting.  Gives me new motivation to complete the frame and get some legs under it.

Stay tuned...

[Peterross]

Excellent! I ordered one recently but won't see it till Spring.
Im interested in seeing the new method of mounting since it appears they changed that.
Also, did they update the manual?

[Jeff XL79]

Have they provided any pics or details on the mounts? Were you able to ensure that you were getting the latest version of engine? Is the oil tank a separate purchase?
I'm still thinking about getting one of these engines. 

Jeff

[Brock]

My purchase is via MyersAviation.  Information has been slow in obtaining.  The pdf manual they sent shows the older style engine mount tabs pictured.  I've asked several times for engine mount drawings.  Myer's keep responding that they will ask verner for the drawings.  Finally they said that they had a Verner 7U on display at Oshkosh of which they took many measurents :-(  I'm not so sure the 7U mounting is going to be the same while both the 5 & 3 are in the same manual so I suspect they would be the same.

The oil tank is really more of an airframe part, meaning this you will have to build yourself.  Makes sense as it really needs to be shaped to fit the aircraft.

[Jeff XL79]

Would you use Meyers Aviation again given the lack of timely communication and accurate feedback?

If I  can figure out my AI translation feature of my phone I  may call Verner directly. One of my biggest problems is dealing with third party distributors who don't share my level of involvement with the product. I used to deal with this all the time in medical imaging equipment support. I'd often have to teach the rep on the phone about what their companies equipment was before being able to order the proper parts.
Of course it may just be a tough task getting info out of Verner. Either way,  I'd appreciate your perspective. 

Jeff

[Peterross]

I purchased my engine through BRAHN sport aircraft. They provided me with the latest datasheet and told me that Verner has not updated it for the latest version yet.
The current datasheet does show a somewhat useful oil tank but you definitely need to make your own as I have not found any available. There are 2 videos on YouTube that show oil tanks, one is Les Homans Verner 3Vwalkaround, the other is Frank Johnson Verner 3W on Legal Eagle XL.
Also on radialsrock.com under FWF accessories there are 3 photos of oil tanks for Verner although they look a bit large for the 3V.
I plan on eventually asking Les for more info on his.
I think I’ll get a few questions before I ask.

[Brock]

Here are a few pages from the manual on the oil tank.  As long as you get the basics (ie. hose-sizes, oil/air-volume, oil level below valve seats, etc) the shape should be of little concern.  I've read where some folks have disquised their oil tank as underslung fuel pods or bombs.  But on a part 103 that would add weight so it really makes sense to keep it as close to the engine as practical.

[Tom H]

Oil tank for LEU Treehugger w/ Verner 3VW pics attached.  Tank body was a kit made for motorcycles.  I used the cylinder, even though it was too heavy walled, made lighter end caps and all hose fittings, welded it up.  Holds about 2.5 qts at half full.

[Peterross]

Hi Tom

Thanks for the photo. The more I get to see the more confident I'll be when creating my own. So if filled to the top it would hold 5 qts? How many do you fill with and how much sits in the enging when running? Also I'd like to know if you do anything special to cool the oil.
Plus, it appears no one has an oil separator.

[Tom H]

Peterros, I put in about 2.5 qts. of oil.  The oil system vents out through the tube near the oil fill cap.  There is no oil mist from that vent tube, so no oil separator needed.

[Tom H]

I hit send before answering all your questions.  I don't know how much oil is inside the engine when it is running, but, if I had to guess, maybe 1/2 qt.  I have done nothing special to cool the oil.

[Shay King]

Good luck with your engine installations guys. I’m still a bit away from that, my wings are taking me forever to finish.
Please post as much as you can about your engine mount build.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I did essentially the same as Tom. Great minds think alike and all that..

The hose clamps I used are stainless from a marine supply. I like them better than the typical worm gear clamps, and they weren't expensive. I fill with 2 1/2 quarts of oil, and add 4 oz after running it, so I assume there is 4 oz in the engine. Need I say that you don't want to cheap out on these hoses? 
I'm pretty sure I detailed how to build the tank in my build thread.
Edit: here
https://www.eaglersnest.com/forum/index.php?topic=2197.480 pages 33 and 34

[Brock]

DHL stopped by the house with this little box.  The nice lady driver loaded it directly onto the tailgate of my pickup, which I quickly drove to the airport for the unveiling.  All crated up it reportedly weighs 135lbs.  Turn's out that was not all packing and engine.  Also included was a tool box complete with two different socket wrenches and much more.  There was a very nice logo'd beer mug and a can of the their local brew.  The crate is simple yet well thought out styrofoam block.  Everything fit well and it seemed to weather the voyage with nary a dent.

The two socket wrenches, it turns out, are for the two different sized spark plugs.  Who knew, that when I ordered the dual ignition setup that the plugs were not going to be the same.  Thinking outside the box.  There was not much in the way of paperwork except the warrenty explanation that the 1year warrenty began the day I purchased the engine from the dealer.  That was four months ago. 

Meyer's Aviation said the engine mount should be finished in a few days.  Kinda need that so I can finish station#1.

Well, that's all for now.  I'll continue to add to this "engine build log" as the project progresses.

[Chuck in Indiana]

You beat me to it. I was going to post "Brock.. let's see that new powerplant."