Airborne 14830,
We're off the subject of this thread, but I know the frustration of a backfiring Saito and can help out. Please check out RCU "Glow Engines", "Club Saito" #5 on the list, go to page #584 5/29/09 post # 14600 with my same question regarding backfiring. Then check the answers given by Stallwart Post 14604, RC-Bearings Post 14605, Slats Post 14607 and Ernie Misner Post 14617. All inputs were totally helpful and provided the answer. Do NOT prime, don't fill the fuel tank to overflowing and push a shot of fuel into the intake needle or intake manifold. I use a manual hand crank fuel pump and count the revolutions of the pump to avoid overfilling. The Saitos will draw fuel like it's hooked to an electric pump while being cranked over for start with an electric starter. I found that both of my needles, high and low, were both set extremely rich. My high speed needle is presently set at 1 1/2 turns out and I believe the low speed is set at 2 1/2 out. Caution, if the engine is new you need to run very rich needle settings for the break in period with the likely problem being totally related to raw fuel in the cylinder at the time of initial cranking. Hope this helps you, others helped me.