Can someone please tell me the how the different orientations for mounting an engine (Sideways left, sideways right, inverted,) effect how the plane flys? Is it purely a balance issue (lateral balance I think you'ld call it)??


Thanks!

HSH

I think you pretty much answered your own question. I mount most of my engines at a 90 degree angle and then balance the model laterally. The motors generally run better on their side.

Most of the problems I have heard of relate to engine operation difficulties and not balance issues. Some engines are more difficult to operate inverted. And I would recommend, from personal experience, not to put an engine over on the left side as, with the exhaust pointing up, as a lot of oil will drain into the cylinder.

Dave Segal

I learned the hard way not to mount a 2-stroke inverted.

When the motor is not running left over oil in the engine will run down into the glow plug. If its up right or sideways the oil pretty much collects in the case. To keep the oil from running into the head and plug you end up storing the plane inverted, starting it inverted on the flight line,....what a bother. The worst is when the plug does get loaded with oil and you have to remove it from the engine so you can burn the oil residue out. You have probably guessed by know that these poor plugs didnt last long either due to the abuse.

Because the plane I have requires the engine to be mounted inverted I had to go to a 4-stroke because the plug is inserted at an angle and doesnt get loaded with oil residue.

Other than that I have never had issues with how an engine is mounted.

Cheers.
James

Never saw an effect on flight from the engine angle after lateral balancing with the engine in place. For me it's always been a case of fitting to a cowl profile or keeping the muffler below the exhaust port so I didn't have to pull the pressure line when refueling. Only flying 4-strokes it's not a problem mounting in any angle. Sometimes a placement of 54 1/2 degrees of rotation is just right

quint

Thanks for all your replys. The engine in question is a YS 63 which is going in a DP Ultimate 40. I think I'll end up mounting it as to the best fit in the cowl with minimal cutting.

Thanks again