I'm a flying noob, and I need a .40-size engine. Does anyone have any suggestions about which brand, or type of engine would be the best? I would like one that wouldn't be too frustrating, seeing as I don't really know anything about them. Thanks.

Right off the top of my head I can think of...(if $ is a primary concern ) the Super Tigre .40 ring, it's 49.99@ Tower...
The O.S. LA .40 is a popular choice, but not a powerful as the S.T.
The Thunder Tiger .42GP is a nice running engine...more power than the LA...
The Magnum .40 (Hobby People )

Yeah, I saw the S.T. 40, do you think it will be able to go inside a cowl like it needs to? Also, what is remote needle valve? Do you control it from your remote, or what? Or is it just an extension on the valve so you can turn it from outside a cowl? Im confused

Any engine can be cowled, you just have to be sure it has adequate airflow into and out of the cowl...

A remote needle valve is one that is not mounted directly on the carb, but usually is attached to the engine's backplate via a bracket. An extension (usually a piece of 2mm wire ) is used to make the needle adjustable from outside of the cowl.

Your thread title says .46 but the post says .40, which size are ya looking for?

A good .46 is the Thunder Tiger .46 pro, which can be had for about 80 bucks.

I would recomend the OS .46 la. It's not too expensive and it super easy to run. Also, what plane are you putting this in. Just curious

Austin

The OS LA series engines do not use bearings, instead they use bushings. That means when the bushing wears out the engine is pretty much shot...The other OS engines, the FX, AX, and FS all use bearings, the bearings can be replaced
Super Tigre is a pretty good engine..and on ground vehicles Magnum were too, although I've never flown a Magnum..I don't know if these engines use bearings or not...I assume they do.....
A remote needle valve means the valve is not on the carburator, instead it is mounted on the back plate of the engine. this allows you a little more room between your fingers and the prop when adjusting...
3 notes of caution:
1 props can and will cut long deep and continously..( I know for a fact)
2 I can't think of a trainer with a cowl..if you're a noob make sure you don't have too much airplane
3 engines under cowl require a fuel dot or a remote fueler

I have both the o.s. and the supertiger. the supertiger is a very powerful engine but can be a little finiky at first. I would recomend the o.s. it practicly runs great right out of the box

Definition of User Friendly Engines -

99%+ run well right out of the box.

Minimal break in needed.

Do not need a lot of "fiddeling" with to get to run properly.

Do not require constant fiddeling with to keep running right.

Does not require a 2nd mortgage on the house and/or your first born child

In no particular order, I have found from 1st hand experience the following engines to meet all the above requirements.

OS 46 FX or AX
Thunder Tiger pro 46 (front needle valve engine)
Evolution 46 NT

Engines a newcomer (newbie ) should avoid until they have experience with engines due to various (usually minor, but aggravating ) problems.

46 size Tower engines
Less than 1.20 displacement MDS engines

There are quite a few negative comments about these engines. While I do not have 1st hand experience with the MDS brand, I can state that the 46 size Tower engines, while quite powerful for a 46, are typically plagued by air leaks and in a lot of instances, also carb problems. Once the problems are worked through, they tend to be among the most powerful (if not the most powerful) 46 out there.

In my experience, the crank bushing is about the last thing to wear out on a bushed OS engine. You will probably wear out the wrist pin bushing first on the small end of the con rod. Even the ball bearing engines use bushings on the crankpin and wrist pin.
The crankshaft of your car uses bushings and car engines are lasting 200,000+ miles today. When car engines die, it's usually not from worn out crankshaft bushings.

What is a fuel dot or remote fueler???

In an open engine compartment, like your trainer, you can easily remove the fuel line from the carb to fill the tank.
When your engine is inside a cowl you can't easily get at the fuel line.
A dot or fueler are ways of accessing your fuel line from outside the cowl so you can fill the tank.
.46 engines, I rcommend Thunder Tiger Pro and OS AX

I have 2 OS 46AX. They both run great. And I am very happy with them. Lots of power. I am told that with the bearing style in the AX they have more power than the LA counter part. A bit more expensive.

I am told that the SuperTigre GS-45 ABC is a good cheap alternative to the OS46AX.

LOL, with my Kadet I use a 46ax and sometimes I get worried that my wing will rip off going into a hard bank at full throttle [X(] but all is still well. I am actually so worried about this that I am going to convert to a wing bolt down design rather than the existing rubber bands.



HOWEVER!! Hind sight is ALWAYS 20/20. Knowing now, I would have rather gotten something in the 50 range like the SuperTigre G-51 as now I would rather have more power and use throttle management a bit more. Food for thought...

There is no doubt that a .46la is going to have a lot less power than a .46 ax, but unless you plan on putting that engine in your second plane then there is no reason to spend the extra money for power that you probably won't need.

Linked below I have the fuel dot filling system and the dubro kwik fill valve that also serves the same purpose. Most people find the fuel dot system easier to use.

Fuel dots
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAHE1&P=7

Kwik fill
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXD745&P=ML

Austin

Over the years, I've had/have the OS46fx/ax, ST45, TT46pro. These IMHO are all equal in performance so with these three , I'd make my choice by cost. Als make your choice along with customer service. How easy will it be to get it fixed if you have too or order replacement parts.

How does the fuel dot system work? What are all the nozzles for.?

If you have an instructor (and you should) then follow his recommendation regarding the engine. He will be the one helping to set up you engine. Get an engine that he is familiar with.

Use a "T" fitting on your line to your carburator or a 3rd line to your tank, 3rd line is the better choice.
Here are some pics of the fuel dot on my Showtime.
Pull the dot out which is attached to the extra fuel line, remove the dot, fuel, plug the dot back in, push it back in place and fly.

I am not sure which plane you are refering to when you speak of cowling. I dont think there are many suitable trainers that have cowls. At least I wouldn't recommend one. Although looking nice, they can be a pain to get to fuel tubing etc...

I would get a os 46ax. It cost more but they are amazingly reliable, and powerful. I put my trainer engine(the ax) on a profile and it is great. If I had bought a 40 size or really cheap engine I would not be happy. Plus the extra power on the the trainer was nice too. If you plan on keeping your trainer for a while then get a cheaper motor. If you plan on moving it up to a higher performance plane the 46 ax is worth it. The tt460 pro is a little cheaper and I've heard it is about equal with the os.

I was not limiting my answer to trainers. The question was what are fuel dots and fueling valves and how are they used (to sum up 2 post asking about them)

The Hangar 9 P-51 PTS ARF and F-22 Raptor PTS ARF come with a cowling. The Thunder Tiger Tiger Trainer series trainers also come with a cowling. Many low-wing trainers come with a cowling as well, such as Hangar 9's Pulse XT .40 ARF and the Great Planes Super Sportster 40 MkII ARF.

It's not impossible to have a cowling on a first or second aircraft.