Assembly day 2 at PMM Wingservice.

The engine and covers are now painted in Continental engine scheme having a gold colored engine block and black shiny covers and pipes.
The look is absolutely beautiful.

Now it's back to assembling parts.
Next step is the installation of the parallel valve pushrods.
Between the actual pushrods and the roller tappets (see previous day article), some small push style devices are inserted. They fit right behind each roller tappet.

Today was a really big day on the building project. I remember how I have always checked on other builders websites and social media when they came at the point of working with the engine. It always seemed so far away for me at that point. Now, it's finally that day where my own engine work is starting and I can't tell you how excited and jacked up I am about this. After a  lot of elaboration and a failed search for a used engine, I decided to buy a brand new Superior XP IO-360-A1AD2 engine. It's 180hp and fuel injected with classic magneto's.
The engine was ordered at PMM Wingservice in Herentals and they will also assemble and test run it.
The advantage of having it assembled and installed before it's being test run is that time up to the first flight is not critical. As the engine has not run yet, there will be no risk of corrosion if it stands still for too long. The engine will be test run only few weeks before the actual first flight. The disadvantage off course is that the engine will have to come off again prior to flight.
It took about a year for the engine to arrive and today was the planned day that it would be assembled at PMM.
I was very lucky that they allowed me to be present during the assembly work so I really could witness how the engine came together.

Here is an image at the very beginning with the engine case in halves.

The crankshaft pusher arms that push the piston heads up and down and some pistons and cylinders.

A little Christmas present arrived at my door today.

The Vetterman side-by-side Exhaust system.

I ordered this back in September and it took a while, but finally it's here and ready to be used. All we need now is the engine. 
I had some calls with Clint from Vetterman. He is hard to get a hold of as he's a very busy man but once you get him on the phone he is all help and idea's.

Choosing the right exhaust system was a long process full of doubts and questions.
I finally opted for the side-by-side pipes instead of a standard crossover system.
Reason being that I have a Superior engine with a cold air sump and the Sam James Cowl.

Additionally, you have to keep in mind that in Belgium and most countries in Europe, noise abbatement is a very important issue.

An RV7 falls into the aerobatic category and these planes fall in the category where a noise certificate is not legally required.
But then, how good is this advantage as soon you won't have anymore small airports where you are allowed to visit. Additionally you always pay the highest landing fees because of the noise tax.
This made me decide that I do want the mufflers so that at least noise gets reduced to a minimum. The 3 blade Catto wood prop will also add a little noise reduction over a standard 2 blade aluminum propellor.

A cross over is not possible with mufflers on my engine and cowl. It just doesn't fit due to the sump.
I then visited a meeting at Breda Seppe airport of the NVAV folks and Joop St Jago was so kind to show and explain his configuration in details.
He also has the Sam James cowl and a Superior engine and he did have an exhaust system from Vetterman installed with mufflers.
The solution is in the side by side exhaust. 
I called Clint from Vetterman again and he told me that even the side by side with muffler would not fit the Sam James cowling.

That's true, but Joop showed me how he solved that on his RV7. He cut two rectangles out of the bottom cowl and made some custom extensions that allow the mufflers to be installed. Once painted, they are hardly visible and the side by side configuration makes also for a nice setup.

see also: https://www.vettermanexhaust.org/gallery
and : https://cdn.vansairforce.net/vetterman/vettermanexhaust.htm

Short article for an exciting moment. After many years of dreaming of a 3 bladed catto prop, I took the decision 3 months ago to buy it and today, it finally arrived home.
I have long time hesitated because of the shipping cost of the prop from the US to Belgium.  After all the shipping cost was reasonable, even though it was sent by air.

I can recommend everyone to work and do business with Craig and Nicole Catto. 

Not only are the catto props one of the most loved propellors used on RV aircraft, they are superb people and helped a lot in the decision process.
They very patiently answered my ton of questions as a newbie and helped me find the most cost efficient way to get my order shipped to Belgium.

Click here for their website and RV7 page.

The propellor of my choice is the overall performer. This is a compromise between the climb and cruise prop and is called "Good all-around"

These are the specifications of my propellor order with Catto Propellors :

3-Bladed RV-7A 360 180HP

• 3-Bladed Glass/Carbon Composite Propeller for RV-7
• 66" Diameter x 76" Pitch for Superior XP-360 180HP@2700RPM
• Top Speed at Target RPM- 200-204mph@2700RPM
• 3.75" Finished Propeller Thickness
• 7" Diameter Prop Flange
• SAE-2 Pattern, 1/2" Bolts and 3/4" Lugs
• Color: White w/Catto Red Crescent Tips
• Nickel Leading Edge per edge per blade installed.