First Engine Start!

The day finally arrived!

Was not sure it would happen today... we had snow this week, and needed to clear the snow to be able to get the plane out.  Huge thanks to Geoff for clearing most of it with his ATV and plow.  SO GRATEFUL.

We had tested the fuel system to the firewall, but not the engine side.  So that had to happen first... Had a few leaks, but one that was a bear.  Something was leaking at the gascolator.  When I made the mount, I copied the Glasair design.  Usually the gascolator bring fuel from the firewall, but in my case that is NOT the case, to the bracket that holds it is offset from the firewall, and there is a 90 degree NPT to Flare fitting on the rear of the gascolator.  That is what was leaking... The fitting was not tight, and was not sealed.  That meant that the gascolator had to come off.  Long story, but that is now fixed.

Fixing that fitting meant taking off the fuel lines, which meant air was introduced into the injection rails... which meant it did not want to stay running until we got all that out.  Eventually it happened.  Oil pressure came up no problem.  Manifold Air temp was showing about 10 degrees above ambient.

I have very little (ok, NO) turbo experience.  Idle speed was 910 RPM, at just over 30" of MP.  At 1500 RPM, 34".  That just looks weird.

Charging system is working.

Prop is working.

CANBUS is working.

Pretty exciting day all around.  So damn grateful for all the help.

Video HERE.