Quote:
Originally Posted by freebeard
Interesting. SAFE
When a valve of an overhead valve engine fails, the engine stops and an emergency landing usually ensues. When a valve of a side valve engine fails, only one cylinder ceases to function and the plane has the power to make a landing at the nearest airport, saving both airframe and passengers!
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Partially correct. If the valve failure doesn't affect the combustion chamber (typical because it's usually the exhaust valve that fails open) and If you have an appropriate altitude you could make the airport engine off, but 75% power should be what you're cruising at. If you're mantaining 75% power, and no other issues you continue the flight if you haven't soiled your pants. Except for the soiled issue BTDT. You can maintain level flight all the way down to 50% power, but you're flying really slow.
Iirc, the reason we don't have slide valves on aircraft is they tend to get stuck often or they stop sealing due to the extreme rich mixtures fouling the guides.
Drove a dodge van like that for a long while as a 7 cylinder with the plug wire removed on a non computer distributor. Doubt the new stuff would allow that, might run until you turn it off but wouldn't restart.. Dont have anything that uses sparkplugs anymore to try it.