Ernest Christley
  • Male
  • Knightdale, NC
  • United States
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Ernest Christley's Friends

  • LARRY TRAMEL
  • Ian Robb
  • Tripp Griffin
  • Dale Walters
  • Bernard Scott
  • Ernest Jessee
  • Brian A Manlove
  • Jeff Garrett
  • joseph aloof
  • Patrick Hoyt
  • William Stewart

Ernest Christley's Discussions

120Hp Corvair for sale - SOLD

Started this discussion. Last reply by Ernest Christley Apr 26, 2022. 2 Replies

Complete engine outfitted for airplane use.  Put together by Azalea with the 92mm VW jugs.  Fifth bearing and roller rockers.  Motivated to get it out of the shop.  I'll add pictures here once I can…Continue

Bent push rod.

Started this discussion. Last reply by LARRY TRAMEL Feb 23, 2023. 29 Replies

Took a 25 minute flight from KJNX to KTTA to show a good friend that I had a well running airplane.   Everything was running perfect, and I was really feeling good about it all. Then two miles out,…Continue

Dual cooler setup

Started this discussion. Last reply by Ernest Christley Jan 4, 2019. 5 Replies

Using anything other than the stock oil coolers requires workable, but what I consider to be a hokey setup of hoses to a remote oil cooler.  I ran a stock folded fin in my 2700 and it borderline was…Continue

Core for sale

Started Dec 21, 2018 0 Replies

I bought another engine, so the basket case of a 2700 that I had is up for sale. Contact me if you're just getting started and want a big jump forward.Continue

 

Ernest Christley's Page

Latest Activity

Ernest Christley posted a blog post

Corvair Pushrods and Valve Train Geometry

On July 3, 2020, I my 3100cc engine started running rough on short approach to KTTA, after a 25 minute flight from KJNX, and resulted in me having to dead stick her in against traffic.  The resulting teardown exposed a broken pushrod, and possibly a worn out rocker arm.  The resulting discussion led to a lot of education on valve train geometry.The journey started with Mark Langsford's page at: …See More
Jul 22, 2020
Ernest Christley posted a discussion

Bent push rod.

Took a 25 minute flight from KJNX to KTTA to show a good friend that I had a well running airplane.   Everything was running perfect, and I was really feeling good about it all. Then two miles out, she started back firing. A few seconds later, it was a rhythmic pop in the exhaust, about once per second. I radioed that I was having engine problems and would be landing against the traffic.   Pointed the nose at 21 in a descending turn, and she quit as I was lining up. A short glide to a normal…See More
Jul 3, 2020

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
Zenith CH 650, ZODIAC CH 601, ZODIAC XL
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Partial kit
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Corvair
Building Experience
Have already built an airplane
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
NC11

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Ernest Christley's Blog

Corvair Pushrods and Valve Train Geometry

Posted on July 22, 2020 at 9:30am 0 Comments

On July 3, 2020, I my 3100cc engine started running rough on short approach to KTTA, after a 25 minute flight from KJNX, and resulted in me having to dead stick her in against traffic.  The resulting teardown exposed a broken pushrod, and possibly a worn out rocker arm.  The resulting discussion led to a lot of education on valve train geometry.

The journey started with Mark Langsford's page at: …

Continue

Comment Wall (6 comments)

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At 5:32pm on October 13, 2022, LARRY TRAMEL said…

Hi Ernest this is LARRY TRAMEL I bought the engines from you, I need to know about the 120 hp engine I too at the oilman off and found some metal in it ands I decided to disassembly it to find the problem.  I saw where something had. bounced around inside it but did not fine any broken parts. I was wondering if you had repaired it before and removed and replaced any parts prior to my buying it. If so what part was it? and if not I guess I will split the case and do a complete teardown. Your help would be appreciated .Thanks

At 8:58am on June 25, 2018, Ernest Jessee said…

wow.  hangars.  The house I just bought is probably < 10 miles from there.  As soon as I get moved, I'll come by

At 6:34am on June 25, 2018, Ernest Jessee said…

Hi Ernest.  I live in Wake Forest, but am moving to Cary in late July.  Fuselage finished. working on the wings.  Would love to see your plane.

At 7:16am on November 15, 2016, joseph aloof said…

ernest what engine are you running? im running a corvair.you have to keep flying even for 20 min at a time.untill you feel comfy with the engine and airplane the hardest to get use to is when its bumpy you over compansate that will take time then you get above it then its smooth sailing then you will start to fly farther and higher. it will come  all the best  joe in fla..

At 6:59pm on November 14, 2016, joseph aloof said…

hi ernest i too at the beginning had the death grip it will ease up as you get use to flying i also added a arm rest so your arm doesnt tire..keep flying it will get better... joe

At 11:39am on September 6, 2015, Steve Freeman said…

Order them from ZAC.  You might pay a few extra bucks but in the run will save you a ton of headaches tying to source exactly the right nut, bolt and washer.  When you finish the the project you will never  it again.

If you are concerned about them being a little short go up one size.  It won't hurt anything.  I used what came with my kit though.  I don;t remember a counter sunk washer but that doesn't mean it wasn't there.  However, all bolts were long enough with about 2 threads sticking out of nut after torquing.

Steve

 
 
 

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