Look what I found!

[jwd3ca]

Greetings, AeroVee builders...

I haven't yet started my AeroVee, but I've have spun it up a few times via the starter motor. Today I decided to drain the oil for no particular reason, and as the oil started out into a large, clean salad bowl, I heard a distinct 'clink'. This small object was fished out of the oil.

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It appears to be an aluminum solid rivet, badly set (it is just slightly bulged). I must assume that it fell out of some internal assembly, but w/o starting to disassemble my engine, I can't really figure out which. So I'm hoping that someone knows where it came from, or can examine their as yet unassembled parts for a clue. I'm leaning toward the sump screen assembly, which is easy enough to take out, but I'll wait for any response from the S.O.S. :) I'm having trouble imagining why *any* internal assembly would be riveted together! And no, I did NOT accidently drop it in! Thanks!

[gammaxy]

The only rivets I know of are three that attach the cam gear to the cam shaft. Those rivets are pretty long and I believe much thicker than the one you found though.

I don't think the oil screen uses rivets.

Edit:

Mike pointed out the oil screen does have a rivet in the center.

[mike.smith]

I just happen to have my AeroVee completely disassembled, so I just went and took a look. The cam gear is held on with 3 bolts; no rivets. But that piece REALLY looks like the single rivet that attaches the sump screen assembly, as you guessed. Since you've already drained the oil, drop out the screen assembly and have a look. The rivet is dead center of the assembly.

[thad14433]

A photo of the screen assembly would be nice. I can't remember it having a rivet, but my memory is getting less reliable.

[gammaxy]

This is the best picture I've found online that seems to show the rivet in the middle:

[jwd3ca]

Thanks, Guys, mystery solved:

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...and the fix:

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Note this is a s.s. machine screw and all metal lock nut. I see no problem with this, but if anyone has any concerns, pipe up! Thanks!

[mike.smith]

Note this is a s.s. machine screw and all metal lock nut. I see no problem with this, but if anyone has any concerns, pipe up! Thanks!

Well, I think Sonex owes you a new screen. It can't hurt to have an extra. It's pretty easy to crush or damage that screen. Glad you found the simple answer to the issue.

[wlarson861]

I think your repair will probably last for many hours. However a new screen and bottom plate with gaskets is only $21.25. Having a spare is always a good idea.

[jwd3ca]

I don't really think of it as a repair, as such, more like a modification that is actually an improvement on the original (which fell apart) :?
So now two people have said that a spare screen assembly is a good idea. Under what conditions would the original screen assembly be damaged and need to be replaced? Seems to me it should be pretty safe once installed in the sump. Excepting any rivet (quality control, actually) failures :)

New builders: take a good look at the set of that rivet before you button it up!

[Rynoth]

I'm curious.. did the rivet end up upstream or downstream of the screen? I.e. could it have ended up making its way through the system?