What are your thoughts on the OS 46 LA engine ???? Looking for an engine to put in a Sig 4* 40

Mark

Its a good engine. Not as powerful as a 46AX but still a very good engine

It is a bushing type crankshaft and you need to run fuel with some castor oil in it.

The engine is soon to be discontinued by OS I understand.

i would go with the .46 AX. it seems more reliable that the LA. that is what im putting in my trainer because the .40 LA isn't a very good engine.

The OS LA 46 is an entry level sport engine. It is very easy to set up and handle. True, not quite the HP of a ball bearing 46 but it is also lighter than most similar sized ball bearing engines.

I fly a Sig LT-40 trainer but went with a ball bearing Thunder Tiger 46 Pro for power. Turns out I needed the extra nose weight to get the CG to come out correctly with no additional ballast needed. My trainer would fly just fine with a plain bearing 40 engine but I'd probably have to add nose weight. The slight extra power of the .46 also has helped to get out of the difficult situations trainers sometimes find themselves in.

Most of my flying is done with ½ throttle or less. Even my takeoffs are done using only 2/3 power so I'm really only using the heftiness of the engine rather than it's maximum power.

Many people report that the 4 star series of planes tend to build tail heavy. This makes sense when you consider that this plane was originally concieved as a sport plane for the then novel four stroke engines. If you are going to have to add weight to the nose, it might as well be a more powerful engine. Other than that, they are OK engines.

I have the OS .46LA in my Four Star 40. I love this engine. It starts easily and stays in tune with almost no adjustment. It has enough power to fly the plane well, but not unlimited vertical. I can climb straight up though about 3 rolls before it runs out of pull. It flies for about 10-12 minutes on 6 ounces of fuel. I run a Zinger 11x7 on it.

If you do not need unlimited vertical, then I highly recommend this engine.

OS has NOT discontinued the 46LA. They have discontinued the .40LA, which was identical in size, weight, and price (almost) but had about 20% less power. They have also discontinued all of the blue LA engines.

Good luck.

I have a 40LA and a 40FP, not the 46LA that you mention, but both of these"plodders" are fantastic! I've run them in trainers and 32-40 sized aerobats and they've been great. standard mufflers and 11x4-5 props no worries at all, fill 'em with fuel and away you go. Any better than my 55AX or, 52FS or 91FX or 91FS? No, but fantastic fun in what they pull around the sky! They're great (but not powerful). I love 'em for their simplistic efficiency...

Regards,
Andy

Can't say enough good things about the LA series of engines. If you can't get an LA to run, just sell all your planes and equipment cuz there's no hope for you. Just kidding of course but it's kinda true.

I have to agree on the 46LA. I believe they are great little engines and very easy to start and tune. You can spend a lot of money on a .40 class 2 stroke engine. If your budget is a 46LA you can’t go wrong. The only other consideration I may give in the LA price range is the Thunder Tiger 46 Pro.

Johnny
AMA 314046
IMAA 28572

I'll give the same advice that I give to everyone that asks about OS LA motors. If you want about 1000 extra RPM, take the baffle out of the muffler.

I've had one in a trainer for about 4 years and know a lot of others who have them. They all are reliable and run well. They are reasonably powerful once the baffle is removed.

If you already have the LA then use it but if your just looking to buy then give the Thunder Tiger 46 a long look for about the same price. All the LA's that I have been around run fine but most get a "rattle" sound after a while when running at less than full throttle.
Fred

I think the O.S. 46 LA is a wonderful engine for the price. A ball-bearing engine like the Super Tiger G-45 ABC or the aforementioned Thunder Tiger Pro .46 would be similar in price and provide a better balance on the nose of a Four Star .40 ARF. As good of an engine as the Super Tigre G-45 is for $64.99, everybody should own one.

Thank you for all the replies.
It looks like they are a decent engine for the money. I don't need unlimited verticle with this plane, just something to fun fly with.

Mark

You will enjoy it for years to come.

Don't be alarmed when it doesn't idle right away. Both of my LA's shook like crazy at low RPM's for several tanks of fuel. After about the third tank, they settled right down and developed reliable idles.

Good luck.

Agree, I have two of them, no worries..

Two thoughts,

1. Great Door Stop

2. In fast river fishing, makes a Great fishing weight.

I have had one (1) OS LA, and will never do it again. Getting one with plastic parts, just not kosher for me. I've been flying for too long. I have an OS 40 FP, that still runs Great. A OS 46 SF., Same as the FP, just faster.

The LA versions are just not as reliable as one without plastic backplate.


Maybe the one that I have is just a bad one, but I will not fly the plastic parts given the choice!

Mic

I need the 2c 1.5cu in engine

The airplane is [link=http://www.aeroairplane.com/product/Formost-150.html]http://www.aeroairplane.com/product/Formost-150.html [/link]

Hi!
All OS LA series of engines are good! Very user friendly and have very reliable throttle response. They are perfect in a twin or in a trainer airplane and for new comers to the sport/hobby.
But they should be propped right!
11x6 or 12x4 for the OS LA .46 in a high winged trainer....never a 10x6 in such a plane.