G-38 Repair Questions?
08-08-2011, 01:51 PM
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G-38 Repair Questions?
Hey guys I have a Ralph converted G-38. It was a SWEET running engine. After a radio hit the ground bent the crank. I almost bought a new mag G-38 but decided to ask you guys if I could fix this one. The crank is bent and the head has some damage so guys I know that the crank has to be replaced but do I need to replace the head also and is the engine worth rebuilding?? That is my main question. I don't mind buying another one but I loved the way this one cranked and ran and if it can be fixed reasonably I want to fix it. Here are some pics to help.
08-08-2011, 04:28 PM
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RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
Sent pm to see if he still repairs them. I love the way it ran. Better than any of my other engines. The guys at the field just drooled at the ease of the first start. It just got better after that!
08-08-2011, 04:51 PM
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RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
Dan I don't really know. The plane had flown great 3 times that day and been flawless. On the 4th flight i was making a turn to come across the field left to right and the engine developed a skip, well I throttle back to just set an approach up and land and no response. It nosed over and went straight in. I believe that the spark plug wire rubbed the exhaust and shorted out. I really don't know. I had had 30 or 40 PERFECT flights up till then and no issues so I want to build another one. I would love to have a converted one but I have been reading that the mag ones run good also. I have never had one of those.
Mike
Mike
08-08-2011, 05:17 PM
#10
RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
Mike
If Ralph does not have the parts, I picked up a good G38 crankcase with the cylinder cheap at a swap meet, looks good.
PM me if you think you will need it.
Milton
If Ralph does not have the parts, I picked up a good G38 crankcase with the cylinder cheap at a swap meet, looks good.
PM me if you think you will need it.
Milton
08-08-2011, 05:36 PM
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RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
Dan it hit so hard that the retracts that were folded up in the wing were toast! Out of all my planes, most now scale, that was the one that I hated most to lose. I had it perfect. But if ever the words of my trainer ring true. "they all have expiration dates.....we just don't know it" 
I was a sick puppy. I took about a month off flying until I got a good swift kick in the butt from a retired colonel that I fly with. LOL He emailed me one day and told me that Corsairs and Mustangs get a month of mourning, the rest get a day!! HAHA I meet him the next afternoon for a flight. That was about 2 weeks ago. I want another Corsair!!!
I was a sick puppy. I took about a month off flying until I got a good swift kick in the butt from a retired colonel that I fly with. LOL He emailed me one day and told me that Corsairs and Mustangs get a month of mourning, the rest get a day!! HAHA I meet him the next afternoon for a flight. That was about 2 weeks ago. I want another Corsair!!!
08-09-2011, 06:02 AM
#15
RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
ORIGINAL: skillet92
Hey guys Ralph PMed me to send it back. The doctor is going to look at it!! YEAH!!!
Hey guys Ralph PMed me to send it back. The doctor is going to look at it!! YEAH!!!
Make sure you post us a picture of the rebirth.
Karol
08-09-2011, 07:12 AM
#17
RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
Ralph is da man when it comes to gas engine repairs, Think he has been doing it for 15+ years and is the best there is when it comes to repairing Zonaoh engines or converting them to electronic ignitions.
Milton
Milton
08-09-2011, 07:18 AM
#18
RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
ORIGINAL: retransit
I'm not into gas, so let me ask a dumb question. Who is Ralph? Others in my club may need this info.
Bob
I'm not into gas, so let me ask a dumb question. Who is Ralph? Others in my club may need this info.
Bob
Karol
08-09-2011, 07:57 AM
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RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
One of the best engines I "ever had" was a G38 I bought from Ralph with his ignition in the cup mount. I foolishly let a friend buy it with the model. Always wish I had it back or another one. Brian
08-09-2011, 08:33 AM
#20
RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
ORIGINAL: skillet92
Dan I don't really know. The plane had flown great 3 times that day and been flawless. On the 4th flight i was making a turn to come across the field left to right and the engine developed a skip, well I throttle back to just set an approach up and land and no response. It nosed over and went straight in. I believe that the spark plug wire rubbed the exhaust and shorted out. I really don't know. I had had 30 or 40 PERFECT flights up till then and no issues so I want to build another one. I would love to have a converted one but I have been reading that the mag ones run good also. I have never had one of those.
Mike
Dan I don't really know. The plane had flown great 3 times that day and been flawless. On the 4th flight i was making a turn to come across the field left to right and the engine developed a skip, well I throttle back to just set an approach up and land and no response. It nosed over and went straight in. I believe that the spark plug wire rubbed the exhaust and shorted out. I really don't know. I had had 30 or 40 PERFECT flights up till then and no issues so I want to build another one. I would love to have a converted one but I have been reading that the mag ones run good also. I have never had one of those.
Mike
08-09-2011, 09:16 AM
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RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
MJ I have a 72 radio and am thinking of getting a 2.4. Or you saying that 2.4 will not be messed with by engine noise?
ORIGINAL: MetallicaJunkie
i had a friend whose spark plug wire was cut by the fiberglass cowl, and his engine was popiing and coughing during flight. he failed to use the protective spiral plastic and didnt too good of a job routing the cable... if he was 72mhx he probably would have crashed due to interference when something like that happens. my brother crashed because of something similar years ago on 72mhz
ORIGINAL: skillet92
Dan I don't really know. The plane had flown great 3 times that day and been flawless. On the 4th flight i was making a turn to come across the field left to right and the engine developed a skip, well I throttle back to just set an approach up and land and no response. It nosed over and went straight in. I believe that the spark plug wire rubbed the exhaust and shorted out. I really don't know. I had had 30 or 40 PERFECT flights up till then and no issues so I want to build another one. I would love to have a converted one but I have been reading that the mag ones run good also. I have never had one of those.
Mike
Dan I don't really know. The plane had flown great 3 times that day and been flawless. On the 4th flight i was making a turn to come across the field left to right and the engine developed a skip, well I throttle back to just set an approach up and land and no response. It nosed over and went straight in. I believe that the spark plug wire rubbed the exhaust and shorted out. I really don't know. I had had 30 or 40 PERFECT flights up till then and no issues so I want to build another one. I would love to have a converted one but I have been reading that the mag ones run good also. I have never had one of those.
Mike
08-09-2011, 09:22 AM
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RE: G-38 Repair Questions?
It went in almost straight down from 300feet. And the plane weighted over 19 pounds. It was a total loss. The plane had every control surface torn lose. And it is hard packed clay where it went in. Believe me. A guy a couple of months ago crashed a dle 30 power extra near where mine went in and the ehole case was shatterered. The zenoah is one tough motor.
ORIGINAL: Edwin
Man o man, what did you hit? A rock?
Edwin
Man o man, what did you hit? A rock?
Edwin
