Engine cowling issue
 

I have an os .46 fx w/ a rear mounted needle valve. I noticed as I test fitted the cowl on my Great Planes 182 ARF two things:

1. It looks as though the needle valve will remain under the cowling. in other words, its to short (?).

2. The front of standard muffler will hit the cowling, preventing the cowling from going on completely.


These two things lead to three questions I'm hoping someone here may be able to answer:

1. How will I adjust the needle valve with the cowl on? Even if I made a hole, the valve will not poke out high enough to reach.

2. What other types of mufflers will work with this type of plane and provide a better fit? I do like the relative quietness of this engine, not sure if a new different muffler will change things.

3. Can I use a remote glow igniter to prevent needing a hole for plug access?

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

look on your needle valve adjusting stem. on the side you will see a set screw. if you loosen this you can stick a T pin or other small metal thing into the hole on the tip of the adjuster and if you tighten down the set screw on the needle adjustment it will be held in there. That will fix your short needle valve stem problem. There is a muffler out by slimline that is a pitts style muffler. If the engine is mounted sideways with the exhaust port facing down, the 2 pitts stacks will stick out the bottom of your cowl. It looks very clean, looks very good, and also is not too loud but it does sound different from stock. I think it sounds very good. Also there is no restrictions like the stock muffler and gives you more power. I have an OS 46FX with this muffler and it is in a cowl mounted sideways like I said with the pipes sticking ot the bottom. I love it. The best part is the pitts muffler is only around $22-$25. Just make sure the package says it is for the 46FX or it wont fit.

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

Use a small piece of music wire and put it into the end of the needle valve adjustment, tighten it down with the set screw that is on the adjustment. You could just cut the cowl for the muffler to fit, this is what I do, and you can use a remote ignitor, Dubro makes one.

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

10-4,I use a small allen for the needle valve extension.

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

Get used to the idea of cutting your cowls. I used to be the same way... "Cut a HOLE in my BABY???!!!"

Believe me, when you have problems, (And you will) it's nice to have easy access to things.

Here's a graphic of the Needle Valve Extension:

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

Where does Minn get these graphics?? :D

I do what Terrellflyer does......a small allen wrench works great for an extention, since it has a flat side for the set screw to "bite" on.

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

Thanks for the help guys! I'm gunna check the pitts muffler. Perhaps a small hole in the cowl big enuff for an easy plug change. with the valve extension, i'm guessing i need to actually cut a slot - or a hole? i'm not seeing how to tighten the set screw with a cowl that is covering the entire assembly.

Oh, and I second glowplug's question to Minnflyer :D

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

put the cowl on then screw in the needle valve with extension,also you'll need to make sure you have a large enough hole for the hot air to exit

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

Do like Terrell said: remove the NV, install Cowl, Install extension, install NV w/ extension through hole in cowl.

And to answer your question about my graphics, I draw them exclusively for RCU (note the copyright). I usually use Photoshop, but I sometimes use other graphics programs. Once I draw one, it is saved in a special folder in case I ever need to post it again.

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

I used allen wrench's until I couldn't find the one I needed... o yeah its on my needle valve adjustment, I used T-Pins also. Heres a tip on cutting your cowl -- mount the engine and test fit the cowl, remove the cowl, tape some construction paper onto the fuse and mark as closely as possible on the paper where you need to cut or drill holes. Now put the cowl back on leaving the construction paper in place. Use a dremel or roto tool to drill a small hole to make sure you are close to where it needs cut, then just go from there.

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

Ahhhhhhhh seeeeeee???? I knew there was a question I forgot ask! Thanks Hypter.

Minnflyer,

Are those graphics available on this site? I've seen you post others before. Nice work. Reason I ask is often I don't realize I have a question, or realize there is a better way of doing something, until it is thrown in my face. Your diagrams do a great job at throwing things in my face! :)

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

Thanks, that's why I do them. I'm a firm believer in "1 Picture is worth 1000 words".

They are not available at any one place, but if there's something you need, just let me know, I probably already have it.

RE: Engine cowling issue
 

The other way that you can get to the needle valve is by grinding the top of it so that a flathead screwdriver can turn it. Then just drill the cowl big enough for the driver to get through. Little worries about alignment. No worries about difficult cowl installations. No worries about the set screw coming loose.