Engine Position
 

Hey Gang!

I am building a 4* 40 and need to decide on the engine position - upright, inverted, or side mounted. This is my second kit built plane. I would definately still consider myself a beginner.

Should I just go upright and save the fancy stuff for another kit? or is it really no big deal to change the engine position. It certainly looks better side mounted but I don't want to get in over my head if it could change the peformance of the plane or engine.

Pros and Cons from anyone with knowledge would be great!

Thanks.

RE: Engine Position
 

Oh - I probably should have mentioned that I have a OS .46 AX to put in this bird.

Thanks

RE: Engine Position
 

I beleive in the K.I.S.S. principal

I had the same plane and engine combo and installed it upright and it flew extremely well.

RE: Engine Position
 

If you can keep it side with a pitts style muffler if possible, that makes the plane look good and keeps it cleaner. Up right is rather messy. This is only based on aesthetic value and cleanliness and has nothing to do with performance. Inverted is no point, not for this plane.

RE: Engine Position
 

For that plane, I wouldn't consider anything but upright. Go for the easiest to deal with.


Andy

RE: Engine Position
 

Upright will definitely be easiest.

But if you wanted to mount it sideways, that MIGHT be ok. Check to see if your muffler will clear the firewall, and keep in mind that you'll have to rebuild the nose to close it in.

Personally, I always try to avoid mounting inverted. There is some controversy as to whether or not engines have problems running upside down, and I've had some that work well and others that didn't.

But a good reason for beginners to avoid it is the fact that if you nose-over, your engine's head is the first thing to take a hit.

But, the 4* is a proven design. Until you have a little more experience under your belt, I would suggest you stick with what works.

RE: Engine Position
 

On my 4 * 40 I mounted mine with the cylinder at 10 0'clock & had some instructions from MAN on how to redo the nose to hide most of the engine.
It looks pretty good I think but makes it hard to check the engine & motor mt bolts .

RE: Engine Position
 

My vote is for upright. Keep it simple, you can't ever go wrong.

RE: Engine Position
 

For that plane upright is the best way to go. Also if you check the threads, 2 strokes run into lots of problems running inverted so don't ever go there. :D

RE: Engine Position
 

Thanks guys. Looks like inverted is out the question for sure. I still have an urge to go with something like the 10 o'clock position Teller mentioned though. The muffler on this engine is so darn big that I think it is just really going to look strange mounted upright. I guess I could always go back to upright if 10 o'clock became a problem.

Thanks again.

Sam