Builders
A quick guide on gear tooth clearance;
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No blood = too loose.
Aircraft Mechanic passes out = too tight.
Moderate bleeding = acceptable clearance.
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Note to builders: When turning engine over by gripping flywheel, avoid the 10 and 2 O’clock grip because it puts the right thumb very close to the point where the starter and ring gear mesh. Proper mesh clearance is set with a 1/16″ drill in in a separate operation, thumb is not an accepted substitute for 1/16″ drill.
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Was that issue of Sport Aviation OK?
Ha! ‘rule of thumb’…I get it…
Do that too many more times and your thumb will be an acceptable substitute for a 1/16″ drill. Ouch. No need to replicate that experiment to validate the results.