Hi Guys...

I'm after a bit of info from those of you who have experience with the Phoenix Models Sukhoi or more specifically the location of the engine in relation to the markings on the firewall.

I acquired the Sukhoi second hand without a manual or contact with the builder so I cannot question him on the setup.

If you refer to the photo attached you can see that the engine's center line is a long way, in my opinion, from the vertical center line of the fire wall.

Is there a reason for this? Should I correct it?

Interestingly the markings on the fire wall do not appear to be on center either, nor the hole for fuel lines etc... So perhap's the engine is not meant to be on center? (Non of my previous models have though).

The fire wall has right thrust built into it and the builder has added a little more with a spacer which you can see in the photo.

At the end of the day if the airplane flys OK I don't care that it looks a little odd but I don't want to fly it before knowing if it's setup right.

Thanks for the advice in advance!

Matt

A couple of things I forgot to mention:

1. The white lines I've added to the picture denote the markings already on the fire wall from the factory. As can be seen even without measuring the vertical line is not on center.

2. It looks as if the cowl won't clear the engine if the engine is moved to the left any more, this is not the case and is simply a bad camera angle on my behalf. The engine could be moved at least 3/16 of an inch to the left and the cowl would still clear...

Thanks!

hi the crank needs to be centered to the lines & the bottom of your bolting lugs should be center of your motor verticaly.
eg the top of your engine bolting lugs are in line with it not the botton
hope this helps.the plane will fly better if its centered
cg

If the firewall has right thrust offset, it will typically have the engine positioned as on your firewall. However, the purpose of the off center mounting is to allow the offset to position the prop at the true center. In your photo, it appears that the prop shaft is NOT on the center. Is it just the camera angle? As you look down onto the engine from above it, do you see any thrust offset, and is it positioning the prop at the center line?

If it is not so, you have a couple of ways to go. If your set up is a squared firewall with no offset, fly it that way to see if you like it. If you find it needs right thrust, put spacers behind the left side mounts and see how it flies (also to see how the front of the prop shaft moves more to center).