I am putting together a World Models J-3 Cub 48. I purchased a Saito FA-56 for this plane and no matter what I do, I can't seem to get the motor to mount in the proper place. I have distroyed one nose cone trying to cut to fit. I can't seem to get the motor centered with the nose cone. I had to oblong the hole in the nose cone to center the cone to the motor. Nothing I do works. Any help would be great. [:@]
Thanks

i always mount the engine where it needs to be then mount the cowl (this is what your calling the nose cone?) to fit around the engine

Thanks, I am ok with that, but do you always have to cut the cowling up like that? I would think they would make it pretty universal so most motors would fit decent and the cowling would stay somewhat "stock" appearing.

yea, usually you have to do a fair amount of cutting, the muffler, needles, and fueling holes, but you shouldnt have to cut up the prop hole, maybe just a little but not much and you should always keep it in line with the spinner.

i put that last one in there just to emphasize that your not the only one that can screw up a cowl

Gary's absolutely right. You have to put the engine where it's supposed to go and fit the cowl to that. I just finished up a Funtana with a Saito 91. The 91 is a little bigger than some of the engines that fit in there but still works just fine. What works for me is to use a piece of acetate (clear plastic) and tape it to the side of the fuse. I just use a single piece of tape and it acts like a hinge. I then transfer the different points to the acetate with a sharpie and also mark the edge of the fuse. Then take the acetate off and add it to the cowl and tranfer the cut out points. I like to drill into the cowl and then use a tappered reamer to size up the holes to the size I need or make them big enough to get the cone sander for my dremel into the holes. Here's a couple of pictures but it really does look better in person.

how ya like that funtana there Rob? that was one of the first planes i almost got before i decided on the 60 size ucd!! but i still may one day but i think it may be similar to my edge, but i thin my 66in edge may be a bit heavier at 8lbs[X(] but man is she fast and really surprised me with the flatspin she does, i bet the funtana will do a great flat too! looks great

MK7,

I had a WM Clipped Cub. It was a nice lil plane but I got rid of it last year. I had the same problem with the cowl lining up. I finally just took a Dremel and opened it to fit the shaft. Here are a couple of pics showing how it looked.

In the shot from the front you can see how the cowl was closer on the left then the right. This was before I used the Dremel to shave it down a tad.

I had a Magnum 52 FS mounted in the nose. I miss that lil Cub, but not enough to buy another one.