Could someone please give some advice on how to mark and mount engine while keeping recommended spacing between nose and backplate? I am building a GP Super Sportster ARF and just getting the engine mounts in after accidentally "fuelproofing" the holes was bad enough.



ARRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHH.....much patience is needed in the world of R/C aviation.

With the engine mount out of the airplane. The back of the mount is the same as the firewall. now lay a ruler along side the mount with zero inches at the back of the mount, place your engine on the mount and mark where the engine should sit. do not attempt to mark the holes for the engine at this time. use the front of the flange the holes are in. Do both sides the same way.
now attach the mounts to the firewall, slide the engine onto the mounts use a small clamp to hold the engine in place and double check your measuements if ok mark your holes for the engine, if not ok adjust engine position double check then mark the holes for the engine. A nbr 2 pencil works good for marking
hope this doesn't confuse you... Good luck

The instructions with Great Planes Kits (ARF and Kits) are normally very clear on how to do everything. I'm assuming you have the ARF version. If you don't have the GP Dead Center marking tool, I've found the following technique works quite well.

Use a 4-40 size push rod. Heat the end of the rod to red hot. With the engine held in place (tape or clamp) push the rod down through the engine mount hole into the engine mount. With the typical GP FRP engine mount, this will melt the plastic and give you a very nice starter hole to drill. If the engine is securely held in place, mark all 4 holes at once. If its not, then mark one hole, drill it, put a screw through it, realign the engine, mark one on the other side, drill it, put a screw through it, then do the remaining two holes.

Brad

Sounds great bkdavy...you just saved me a whole lot of frustration.

I was suprised when the directions only pretty much mentioned.......mount the engine and keep spacing between backplate and nose.