Powering your Piet

Discussion area for builders of Pietenpol aircraft, both beginners and experienced folks. Share ideas, ask questions and help build the Pietenpol community.
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RobertP72718
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:38 am
Location: Fayetteville AR

Powering your Piet

Post by RobertP72718 »

So while I wait for financial settlements to work themselves out before I can start building I have been looking into what power plant to to use. I have just ordered the builders manual to see what changes have to be made to the Ford model A engines for them to work. I have searched the internet for companies that rebuild these engines but none of them seem to say that they know what it takes to rebuild them for aircraft use.

The other engine I have been looking into is the Corvair engine. I like the idea of an engine that is already built to be air cooled. I have found a company out of Florida that will rebuild the engine for aircraft use or help you build the engine yourself.

I really like the looks of that Ford sitting in the plane but horse power comes into play also as I'm not a small person. The power of the Corvair seems to be a better thought for me.

So let me hear your thoughts on Powering your Piet.
at7000ft
Posts: 36
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2017 3:06 pm

Re: Powering your Piet

Post by at7000ft »

The Corvair is a great choice for the Piet Robert. Have a little over a hundred hours on my Piet/Corvair with zero problems. I used most of William Wynne's Corvair conversion parts and Dan Weisman's 5th bearing. And the 6 cylinder sound is much nicer than any 4 cyl Lyc/Cont. Check out these sites, sign up for the next Corvair College (I attended 3), and come to the Brodhead Pietenpol gathering the week before Oshkosh, you will love it. And yes they sell the manual and parts to rebuild it yourself or complete engines.

https://flycorvair.net/
http://www.flycorvair.com/corvair.html
https://flywithspa.com/
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RobertP72718
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:38 am
Location: Fayetteville AR

Re: Powering your Piet

Post by RobertP72718 »

at7000ft wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2017 8:56 pm The Corvair is a great choice for the Piet Robert. Have a little over a hundred hours on my Piet/Corvair with zero problems. I used most of William Wynne's Corvair conversion parts and Dan Weisman's 5th bearing. And the 6 cylinder sound is much nicer than any 4 cyl Lyc/Cont. Check out these sites, sign up for the next Corvair College (I attended 3), and come to the Brodhead Pietenpol gathering the week before Oshkosh, you will love it. And yes they sell the manual and parts to rebuild it yourself or complete engines.

https://flycorvair.net/
http://www.flycorvair.com/corvair.html
https://flywithspa.com/
Thank you for the links

Nice looking Piet. I ordered the builders manual for the Piet and it should be here today or tomorrow. Can't wait to read it. I really hope to make it to Brodhead this year. Looks like it would be a great get together.
douwe blumberg
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 5:46 pm

Re: Powering your Piet

Post by douwe blumberg »

Hey there,

The Ford works great if you live in the "flatlands" and build it right (they all need to be built right...). the Pietenpol plans will outline the modifications required. There are plenty of people flying Fords who would be happy to help with suggestions.

The Corvair works great if you build it right (they all need to be build right.. did I say that already?)

Continentals work great in HP from 65's up to 0200's.

The piet has flown with more engines than probably any other airframe, but these are the main ones.

Funny thing about Pietenpol engines you'll notice if you pursue it long enough. it seems to be kind of like politics or religion, people get really really passionate about their choice and all of a sudden their choice becomes THE choice and any other choice is bad, or anyone who disagrees with their choice is wrong...

bottom line, built right, you can't go wrong with these three, just maybe a few more mission limitations for a Ford.

Douwe
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RobertP72718
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:38 am
Location: Fayetteville AR

Re: Powering your Piet

Post by RobertP72718 »

douwe blumberg wrote: Sun Mar 19, 2017 1:07 pm Hey there,

The Ford works great if you live in the "flatlands" and build it right (they all need to be built right...). the Pietenpol plans will outline the modifications required. There are plenty of people flying Fords who would be happy to help with suggestions.

The Corvair works great if you build it right (they all need to be build right.. did I say that already?)

Continentals work great in HP from 65's up to 0200's.

The piet has flown with more engines than probably any other airframe, but these are the main ones.

Funny thing about Pietenpol engines you'll notice if you pursue it long enough. it seems to be kind of like politics or religion, people get really really passionate about their choice and all of a sudden their choice becomes THE choice and any other choice is bad, or anyone who disagrees with their choice is wrong...

bottom line, built right, you can't go wrong with these three, just maybe a few more mission limitations for a Ford.

Douwe

This showed up last Saturday so I can see the changes that need to be made for the ford. I will only look at the ford or corvair engines. My brother is thinking about building is own piet at the same time as I build mine. Maybe we'll put a ford in one and corvair in the other. sounds like some good times to me.

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