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Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 3:26:00 PM   
jaymen


 

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I need a cam for my saito FA120, it has loosened up ! Is this normal for the exhaust lobe to be wobbly? Where can I get parts, it's 15 years old now?


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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 4:02:25 PM   
blw



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It should be this one: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SAI120S35

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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 5:57:32 PM   
donkey doctor



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Hello; A wobbly cam lobe? I don't think I understand; is it a wobbly rocker? I have seen cams damaged by rust where the lobe is reduced in height. I'd like to help you, but I son't understand the problem.

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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 9:08:18 PM   
jaymen


 

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If you look closely at a Saito cam, the exhaust lobe is keyed into the notch of the intake lobe to keep it from rotating. The exhaust lobe is loose, and the only thing keeping it from rotating any more than it does it the that it is keyed in place. It seems to to have lost the press fit and become loose. Is this normal, or is it in fact defective and in need of replacement?

Now for my real problem: I cannot tell if I have a FA 120 L, or a FA 120 M. Horizon lists a cam for the models M-N, which are the FA 120 Special, and the FA 120 Special w/ pump and dual plugs. I cannot determine positively if mine is a special, I beleive it is an ordinary FA 120 , refered to as a model L.

I need help identifying if mine is a model L, or Model M. It appears model M has a threaded hole for the intake manifold, is that correct?
My FA 120 has a un threaded hole for the intake manifold, the manifold seals with an o-ring and just presses into the hole. The carb is held onto the back plate with a bracket which supports it, and the manifold.

I need to know if the M cam Horizon has will work in my FA 120 .

Thanks for any assistance in advance.....I long ago lost the parts list and box the engine came in! Jay

< Message edited by jaymen -- 1/3/2008 9:09:53 PM >


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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 10:43:24 PM   
w8ye



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Early and 120 S (1st 120 S design) heads
This picture was taken by the late William Robison

< Message edited by w8ye -- 1/4/2008 12:03:47 AM >


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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 10:47:44 PM   
w8ye



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This is the first design of the Saito 120 S that uses the currently available cam. Notice the lifter guides sticking above the cam box. All 120 engines with the lifter guides sticking above the cam box use the currently available cam. The owner has painted the cylinder black. Notice the difference in the position of the exhaust outlet in some of these pictures.

The second picture shows an early plain Saito 120 with the low cam. Notice the lack of lifter guides. The engine just happens to have a current design muffler attached instead of the flambeau type original

These pictures are from a William Robison post

< Message edited by w8ye -- 1/4/2008 1:43:15 AM >


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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 10:54:14 PM   
w8ye



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This is the second design (and last) of the 120 S. It has the threaded intake attachment just like the very first (straight non "S" ) 120 engines of many years ago. But notice the lifter guides showing through the rubber boots on the cam box.


< Message edited by w8ye -- 1/4/2008 1:40:39 AM >


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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 11:00:35 PM   
w8ye



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Here is a composite of pictures by William Robison comparing the very first Saito 120 cam actuation mechanism on the left with the "high Cam" of the "S" model on the right. Take notice of the "S" on the high cam of the last production model


< Message edited by w8ye -- 1/4/2008 12:02:46 AM >


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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 11:18:00 PM   
w8ye



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In this picture the late cam is on the left and the early cam is on the right.


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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 11:29:14 PM   
w8ye



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Here are some pictures of a very early plain Saito 120 ABC with the low cam courtesy of Kmot. It has the air bleed carb with mid range adjustment.




< Message edited by w8ye -- 1/3/2008 11:32:59 PM >


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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 11:35:57 PM   
jaymen


 

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I have the engine with no "S" on the cam, it looks like the one on the right in the picture above, because it has a really sharp point on the exhaust lobe. I'm going to post pictures of my engine tonight. You guys are great, I cannot beleive how helpfull you all are, so I say thanks in advance, even though I'm still in the woods!!

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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 11:42:00 PM   
w8ye



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quote:

Kmot
This photograph is of my early model Saito 1.20 ABC running on a test stand. The rough looking texture on the carb intake pipe is not rough cast aluminum. It is water condensing on the outside of the pipe. This is the moisture condensation on a high humidity day that was being discussed regarding the performance of a Saito engine.



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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 11:42:38 PM   
jaymen


 

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Mine cannot be the very early version, as my exhaust threads in at the rear of the cylinder, not the side. The crankcase has a raised cast marking(not a label) that says FA 120 . The carb has a high, and low speed mixture, and idle stop screw, intake manifold is unthreaded, but not chrome like some seen above. Cam has no "S" stamped on it and a very pointy looking exhaust lobe. There are two black rubber tubing sleeves over the pushrods that do no expost the lifter guides. The cylinder looks similar to the second one on the right of the picture above showing two cylinders from the top.

Who has parts??? Anybody have a used good 120 they want to sell in case I can't fix this one?

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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 11:46:34 PM   
w8ye



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Somewhere in the the Saito threads, it is discussed how to convert an early engine to the "S" cam.

But if I remember correctly, it will require a lot of parts. Like cam, cam shaft, cam box, lifters, pushrods, and tubes.

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RE: Saito FA 120 help needed - 1/3/2008 11:52:01 PM   
w8ye



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The description of Jay's engine brings up the fact that there were some "cross-breed" engines produced during the transitionary period from 120 to 120 S.

The 120 and 120 S use different main bearings. If you are going to put bearings in a 120 , and due to the evolution of the change over, you had best see what bearings you have before ordering bearings.

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