RCU Forums - View Single Post - Ring Engine Compression
View Single Post
Old 05-08-2012 | 05:43 PM
  #33  
earlwb's Avatar
earlwb
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,993
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: Grapevine, TX
Default RE: Ring Engine Compression

Ok ringed model glow engines do not use motorcycle techniques for running in a engine.
The Fox engine methods would apply to most ringed engines though Fox engines have a hardened cylinder sleeve that can take a little longer to get the ring seated against it good.

To break in a Fox ringed engine one should run the engine in a four cycle mode. This is because in this condition the cylinder pressure is near the maximum. One needs to develop as much cylinder pressure as is practical to drive the ring into the cylinder. The driving of the ring into the cylinder is what allows the cross hatch in that hard Fox liner to shape the ring to conform to the cylinder bore. The power stroke (cylinder pressure) in the four cycle mode is noticeably higher than in the 2 cycle mode because it has a cleaner and larger inlet charge (more efficient scavenging between firings).

Now since the Fox is a sleeved timed engine the heating around the sleeve is not uniform. One needs to thermal cycle the engine to allow the cylinder to reach its final operating shape, rather slowly. A engine is broken in when the piston ring can seal against the cylinder when the cylinder is in its final shape under full power (heat load)! There is no heat treating going on in the metal's grain structure of the ring or in the cylinder just dimensional changes as a result of thermal growth!

Now a lapped meehanite iron piston and leaded steal cylinder do go through a stage where the grain structure is changed. But this is due to work hardening not heat treating.

Like I've said before; too fast too soon too hot too bad.
On ABC engines I use this method or something close. Nelson engines hold more records in engine dominated events than any other engines. So they seem to know something.
http://www.pspec.com/breakin.asp
But unless you are racing use props more in line with what the engine manufacturer suggests.