ORIGINAL: cappaj1
ORIGINAL: Nathan King
I'm not sure what you are getting at with tightening, but I can help with your question. There is no prop position that keeps the starter from loosening the spinner, however there is a prop position that lessens the chance of breaking a prop on a deadstick and makes it easier to hand prop. When looking at the front of the airplane turn the engine crank counterclockwise until you hit compression. Now tighten your prop so that it sits horizontally.
Dang, Nathan King, you seem to know something about almost anything. That's a good tip! Problem is with a newb like me, I have no idea of when I hit compression. Would that be when you feel the beginning of resistance, a half turn after, etc. I really don't know.
Also, why would an engine stop at this point if it stopped running? I'm guessing the same reason - resistance at that point.
By the way, how long you been at this?
You hit compression when the engine gets difficult to turn over (beginning of resistance). It becomes difficult to turn over because the piston has closed all intake/exhaust ports on the sleeve and is beginning to "compress" the fuel/air mixture. If you seal a space and reduce the volume, the contents must compress. The engine stops at this point because it hits the resistance and doesn't have enough momentum to continue through without combustion from the previous cycle. It's also good to position the prop there just in case you need to hand start the engine. To start it, you must flip through compression into combustion, so the prop is in an ideal place to really get a good swing on it.
I'm just a regular joe like you; I put my pants on one leg at a time. I fly full scale and read every bit of information I can get my paws on, so that always helps. I'm actually not very old, although most people here assume I am for some reason.
Happy flying!
Nathan King