Received my Saito 170 radial today. Fits perfectly inside that big cowl. Almost a shame to hide it.

Ok, back to the staggerwing. I have been flying (working) tooo much lately to get to the shop. Anyway, my engine came in and I am impressed to say the least. It is the 40cc from BCMA engines. It came with pitts style muffler, standoffs,ignition with standard battery plug (nice touch!), and the best treat of all is that he has already installed the throttle linkage that you can just put a ball link on! No bellcranks and having to make your own throttle linkage! You listening to this ZENOAH? They are great to deal with. Instant email responses,etc. I put my transmitter beside it to get an idea of the size. The cowling swallows it whole! The included standoffs are the perfect length for this airplane. The plug will, however, protrude through the bottom of the cowling (which I knew when I bought it). Maybe, I can start on the install after church tonight. So far, I highly recommend BCMA engines.

www.bcmaengines.com/BCMA40.htm

A couple more.

Lear,

Aren't you going to have to cut the cowl for the carb and velocity stack? Your picture with the engine on the firewall sure looks like it.

Jim K

What is the actually width of the cowl ?

No, the cowling is much wider than the firewall. With the engine placed inside, the velocity stack has about an inch space b/t it and the cowl. That pic makes it look alot wider from that angle.

With no hole in the cowl, how are you going to prime your motor?

OK, let me first say, I highly recommend installing the OS 1.60 or whatever they recommend. After hours of head scratching and modifying, the gas motor is installed! Whoever said the carb intake venturi will stick out the side was correct. After butchering the bottom of the cowling for the plug, muffler and carb, it is now time to order another cowling (someday). Either way, I always do it, I find the most difficult ways to build my airplanes! I can turn a Firebird Extreme into a major project, am I the only one here?

Lear,

Sorry to see that all did not go as planned. This is part of the hobby. We just have to improvise as we go along.

Jim K.

It's too bad that it didn't work out as planned, but it doesn't look bad, either.

If I purchase one, I will still go with a gasser.

If you used a wrap around muffler it would be a lot better. IMHO

That`s a really nice aircraft you got there Lear...
Is it easy to build? I`m a newbie when it coms to assemble planes, that`s why this stupid question

I'm looking for a set of tail wheel doors for my Staggerwing. If anyone out out there is willing to part with their doors, please let me know.

Thanks

I am thinking of buying this staggerwing kit. I have a 160 gemini twin nib and it is looking for a plane.Have you worked on your plane anymore since January? I have been following your thread closely.
David
Mooney 20e