SureFly Electronic Ignition

[blsewardjr]

Surefly tech support told me that if it is a magnetic sensor, it has to be "converted." However, so long as the tach sensor is on Slick mag (not the Surefly), it still works, correct? Thanks. Bernie

[blsewardjr]

I reviewed all of this thread, which I should done initially. As Steve mentioned, it looks like you simply have to connect the tach sensor to the remaining Slick Start mag. Thanks. Bernie

[blsewardjr]

My Surefly is being installed today replacing the Right Mag. Mechanic was a little unsure about the MP lines. Are we correct that the MP line from the Surefly is connected to Cylinder #3 while the MP line from cylinder #4 to the firewall through to the VM 1000 remains as is?
Thanks. Bernie

[Rich]

My Surefly is being installed today replacing the Right Mag. Mechanic was a little unsure about the MP lines. Are we correct that the MP line from the Surefly is connected to Cylinder #3 while the MP line from cylinder #4 to the firewall through to the VM 1000 remains as is?
Thanks. Bernie

When replacing the right mag, using the #3 MP tap would be most convenient for the SF. The VM1000 uses the #4. I replaced the left mag and added a "T" connector into the existing #4 tubing.

[blsewardjr]

Thanks Rich!

[Steve]

Bernie:

I know that your mechanic probably knows this, but the MP fitting on the cylinder is not a standard NPT barbed fitting. It should have a very small (like #60 drill bit) hole rather than a wide open bore like most fittings. This is done to minimize the effect of the fluctuations in MP as read by the MP gauge. The VM-1000 installation has this, not sure if it is required for the SureFly. In Rich's installation, the use of a "T" fitting would eliminate the need for a second one of these fittings. Back when I was replacing my engine, I priced one of these (just in case I buggered it up). I don't remember the exact cost, but it was over $100 from Lycoming! I know that some mechanics put a small-bore insert into a standard fitting, but I wouldn't be comfortable with that - suppose it came loose and was sucked into the intake...

[Rich]

Bernie:

I know that your mechanic probably knows this, but the MP fitting on the cylinder is not a standard NPT barbed fitting. It should have a very small (like #60 drill bit) hole rather than a wide open bore like most fittings. This is done to minimize the effect of the fluctuations in MP as read by the MP gauge. The VM-1000 installation has this, not sure if it is required for the SureFly. In Rich's installation, the use of a "T" fitting would eliminate the need for a second one of these fittings. Back when I was replacing my engine, I priced one of these (just in case I buggered it up). I don't remember the exact cost, but it was over $100 from Lycoming! I know that some mechanics put a small-bore insert into a standard fitting, but I wouldn't be comfortable with that - suppose it came loose and was sucked into the intake...

MarkA used a standard 1/8" barb to 1/8" male NPT for this tap. The tubing is 1/8". The aperture in the barb is quite small and appears to do the job.

[blsewardjr]

Steve, Rich- I'm sort of torn between the two approaches. My newly minted A&P is reluctant to put a T fitting in the MP line to the VM1000, but he's also wants to make sure the barb is correct. He's checking their supplies. Hopefully, the shop will have something. Thanks for your help. Bernie

[Rich]

Steve, Rich- I'm sort of torn between the two approaches. My newly minted A&P is reluctant to put a T fitting in the MP line to the VM1000, but he's also wants to make sure the barb is correct. He's checking their supplies. Hopefully, the shop will have something. Thanks for your help. Bernie

Both approaches work fine. In my case I cut the 1/4" hose used by the VM1000 and put a 1/4" x 1/8" T-barb in place. This was years ago and it all works fine. Mark published an entire article on the type club site about installing the SF on the right side including the NPT/barb I mentioned on #3 cylinder. just make sure the SF-supplied tubing isn't kinked after installation, though I should think that's obvious. I'm not sure what his hesitation is. Does he have an alternative approach?

[blsewardjr]

Rich - My A&P has now found a 1/8 barb in the shop's inventory. It's a couple of thousandths larger than a #60 drill bit hole, which he think's is a negligible difference. I think we'll go with that. We've been following Mark's excellent guide to installation. Will make sure the line is not kinked. Thanks. Bernie