Saturday, April 25, 2015

You spin me right round...

There are just some things you don't learn from books and today was a great example of that.  We've been messing around for 2 days on the fuel pump, trying to verify if the pump was actually pulling fuel from the tanks or if it was broken.

We were totally unable to get fuel from any of the tanks into the pump, we had assumed that the little pump wasn't strong enough to prime itself, was defective or was blocked somehow.

We had all but given up when one of the older guys walked over and said "what are you boys stuck on..."  We explained the situation and he said..."no problem go get in and get ready to turn the pump on and put it on the left tank.."  He gets under the wing and blows as hard as possible on the fuel relief vent tube and all of a sudden fuel comes pouring out of the fuel feeder tube and fills the sump.  He says "ok now turn the pump on..."  Fuel then comes shooting out the pump as fast as possible...

He stands up, dusts himself off and says "Ok there ya go all fixed...it was just a little blocked and you needed to give it a little help..."

Spurred on by the success with the fuel pump we decided to press on and see if the plane would be able to spin the prop under it's own power.  After soaking all the cylinders and oiling and lubing everything in sight we decided to try and give it a 'spin'

So here we go!!!  For the first time in 10 years N2886T spins her prop under her own power.


Also I would like to say a special thank you to the FBO, who were kind enough to make room for us in hangar one so that we would not lose a days of work due to the pouring rain.  The irony is not lost on me that the little lost 'dog' of the airport is sitting in a hangar with million dollar aircraft.  She's movin' on up!


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5 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 25, 2015 at 6:30 PM

    Just found this blog, and am very excited to follow the progress. I fly a 76 archer now so I have some affinity for the Cherokee! Good Luck!

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    1. Joseph AtkinsApril 25, 2015 at 6:51 PM

      Thanks...it's def going to be a lot of work but we're confident we can get her back in the air.

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  2. UnknownApril 25, 2015 at 7:51 PM

    I am really excited about the process of your completing the restoration of this bird! Please PLEASE, keep us posted! I trained in a pa28 at kfxe for my ppl back in 2013. Fun little bird, but sinks like a rock when you pull power to idle, however, that can be a good thing since I basically know where she will touch down on the runway. That made for some really accurate landings for me at least..

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    Replies
    1. Joseph AtkinsApril 26, 2015 at 4:11 PM

      Thank you and I will keep everyone posted as we go.

      Delete
  3. UnknownAugust 27, 2015 at 5:09 PM

    The more I read, the more admired and excited about your Yellow Marvel

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