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Re: Mike's Kitfox IV rebuild
Shot of the Trailer. Very well built and thought out.
The drive home (2 hours) was a little nerve wrecking, high winds meant I had to keep my speed down to 90 KM/h, and the darn passenger door kept popping open. We drained the tanks completely, and built the transport bars for the wings, Other than some tense moments on the drive my Kitfox arrived home safe and sound.
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Re: Mike's Kitfox IV rebuild
Day one was spent stripping, cleaning and inspecting everything.
Engine is good, needs motor mounts (the rubbers) and ignition cables, One of the scat tubes for carb heat needs to be replaced.
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Floors all cleaned up, Will need to clean up some wiring and fuel lines. Battery is shot and WAY to small, will order a the 680. and am going to replace the battery cables. And the old 121.5 ELT does in fact work, previous owner thought it was shot, new battery and its up and running.
Header tank needs to come out at some point to have a bung welded in for a low fuel warning light/buzzer
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Wiring is nice and tidy, but it will be all ripped out and done my way. (I don't believe in using the frame for grounds)
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Dash is also a Redo for me
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Re: Mike's Kitfox IV rebuild
Lots of elbow grease, and the seat covers came out good as new.
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Spent today moving the fuel shut off valve from below the throttle to the foot well, I'm 6'4" and found the factory location impossible with my long legs, It's still easily reachable but now no longer jammed into my knee.
The yellowish tinge you see on the fuel line is some clear tubing to protect the fuel line from rubbing. I also redid some of the fuel lines to run perfectly straight (Did I mention I have major OCD?)
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Re: Mike's Kitfox IV rebuild
Tomorrow the Windshield comes off. It has a major crack that was "Fixed" with zip ties and RTV. (Hey it held...so good temp fix for sure)
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Due to my size (Tall not fat) I'm going to order the bubble doors in Medium Tint, I'm trying to source some 0.093 Tinted Polycarbonate here in Canada for the windshield. The Acrylic windshield is over $1100.00 Canadian with shipping and handling, and I've read too many horror stories of people cracking there new acrylic windshield. Bubbles doors I'll just have to swallow the cost and exchange rate ($1783 Canadian for the 2 doors, install kit and shipping, plus there will be duty on top of that)
Anyone have a source for Tinted Lexan in Canada ? Found a few places online in the USA but shipping is always $300+ for $100 sheet.
Re: Mike's Kitfox IV rebuild
Very nice
btw the 80 hp doesn't need a very big battery, I am running a motobatt MBTX 12U. It is more than big enough.
I like your location for the fuel cock. I may copy that
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Re: Mike's Kitfox IV rebuild
Started replacing the wiring today.
All new power and ground cables will be going to a central bus bar.
Replacing the main power lines from the battery with some nice WindyNation 4 AWG Silicone wire. Great wire (Overkill yeah maybe) Solid copper strands (not tinned) #4 battery and welding wire. Very flexible !
Attachment 23420
Side by side with the original 15 + year old wire, some of the protective sheaths is starting to come off the original stuff and is corroded aluminum wire.
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Will be replace all the wires to the starter and engine ground as well
Re: Mike's Kitfox IV rebuild
Following along. Beautiful Series IV. Glad to see it being restored to a flight worthy status.
Aluminum wire and corroded to boot. Wow. Bet your happy to see all that hit the trash can! I like welding wire as well - copper and very flexible. :)
I still have a lot of tinned wire that's left over from my yacht repair business so its being "repurposed" So many electrical problems I solved back in the day due to faulty grounds. Salt water didn't help... ;)
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Re: Mike's Kitfox IV rebuild
Parts are starting to arrive and get installed into the aircraft
Power and ground distribution blocks installed. The Large "lugs" in the foreground to the right is Power (red) and Ground (black) in from the battery, these are toggled via the master switch and relay located near the battery.
The wires leading threw the fire wall go to the starter relay +, and engine block -
The distribution block (aft and left) are the bus bars: one for central ground - (the rearmost), and Power + which will be wired from the ACC via the Key switch (Not connected at this time)
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Wires from battery and relay. Green will go to "Master Switch" (Battery still needs to be replaced, so the battery box cover is not yet on, nor is the battery strapped in)
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Re: Mike's Kitfox IV rebuild
Once my Cleco's arrive I will be tackling the windshield
Smoke grey tinted lexan .118 (Hoping with some heat and carefully forming I can get this to install and NOT crack) I couldn't find tinted lexan here in Canada at any thinner thickness (I know your suppose to use .060 or 0.93)
Attachment 23442
Anyone have a template for the wing root cutout or tips. I don't want to use my old windshield as a template since is was a bit of a hack job.