engine upside down
 

I just purchased a tower hobbies voyager(although I have not received it yet) and the engine is supposed to be mounted upside-down. If I were to switch it so it's upright or horizontal would I have to switch tank height? if horizontal does the muffler clear the fuselage and the steering gear? I going to run a gms 47 on it, what would be the best prop?

RE: engine upside down
 

without looking at the voyager.....
there is typically a reason the man. recommends a particular engine orientation--usually because of cowl, fuselage, or landing gear issues. I installed an engine upright on a kit one time (before reading through the instructions) and when I tried to put the muffler on, it wouldn't go on--it kept hitting the fuse side. After reading the instructions, I mounted the engine at a 45 degree angle, and all was well!

and, yes, you will have to make sure the tank height is right regardless of which orientation you choose. If you mount your engine upright, the tank will have to be higher, because the carb will be higher.

RE: engine upside down
 

I have one and I see no reason why you couldnt be installed that way. I tried to fly mine today but had a lot of problems with it. I hope you have better luck!

RE: engine upside down
 

I think you should forget about that GMS and slap in that 61FX. So what if you have somewhat mangle your cowel, you would have the fastest plane at the field with power to spare. Make sure you let me know when it comes in.

Signed
You know who:D

RE: engine upside down
 

A good all-around prop for that engine-plane combo would be an 11-5 or 11-6.

RE: engine upside down
 

The only problem an "upside down" engine presents is getting it started without drowning the glow plug. One can also flood the engine easily and cause hydraulic lock (combustion chamber fills up with fuel) - definitely not good. To solve the problem you can get someone to hold the plane in a normal upright attitude while you start the engine - or you can put it in a cradle. Once started, the engine will run just fine.

The alternative is to install the engine horizontal being careful on how the muffler orients. Remember the centerline of the tank should align with the needle valve. You may have to adjust this. With a horizontal mount at least the plane looks good from one side :D. A proper horizontal mount doesn't require any gymnastics to start the engine and also avoids the dreaded hydraulic lock.

This plane flies great. It is fast and stable. You will enjoy it.

RE: engine upside down
 

I used a three line fuel system(if that makes any difference) and have had no problems with flooding the motor. If I let it idle for to long it will load the motor up and die though.

RE: engine upside down
 

I think with inverted engines you are fine on hydraulic lock if you just use an electric starter, and don't prime it first. Just let the action of the starter draw the fuel in naturally, and the engine will fire when the fuel first hits the plug. If you prime it, you're drawing a lot of fuel in there that will pool at the bottom of the cylinder, and cause hydraulic lock. I don't presently have any inverted engines (I will soon), but my dad and brother both have them, and they just use the electric starter as I have mentioned, and haven't had any problems with hydro-lock.

RE: engine upside down
 

Okay, I have about a half dozen airplanes with inverted engines, some do and some don't. Each engine/tank combination has different requirements. I have had NO problems running OS FX series engines inverted, once the two needles are set correctly. I have had problems with the Voyager and an LA .46 combo. The plane flew great and was a terriffic first low wing plane. Someone recommended a .61 FX, definitely not, would not fit, way too big and heavy. A good BB .46 with a APC 12X4 prop will make it do everything you need done. If you are worried about starting, stand it on it's side, muffler down and flip it by hand with the igniter off, to make sure you don't have hydraulic lock from after run. The rest of the day, just start it normally. You usually don't have to prime it if you use an electric starter. I can hand start my UCD .46 and .60, GP GS 300s, Cermark Pitts, and World Models 3D 120 Fun Fly, once they have been run that day. They all have either OS or Super Tigre engines. The later has onboard glow, to keep it easy, simple and reliable in aggressive 3D flight.

Hope you enjoy your Voyager, it should get you started in to aerobatics with ease.

RE: engine upside down
 

The voyager is a Great flying plane you will enjoy it. I used a tower 46 on mine inverted. It took a litttle break-in time and adjustment to get it running properly inverted, but it ran flawlessly. THe engine will really unload in the air so it should be tuned rich on the ground. At first I had some problems with it inverted and I lowered the tank to the floor. THat diffinately made the mixture more even regardless of fuel level or plane attitude. I used a 11x6 and a 11x7 propeller and the plane was relatively fast.

RE: engine upside down
 

I've got an inverted .40 la in my voyager, flies great. (i second against the idea of a .60, this plane is fairly light and would just be a pig to fly with that chunk of lead on the nose, not to mention you would pretty much abandon the cowl at that point) I wouldn't bother trying to mount it upright, i don't think you could get the fuel tank high enough to get it to the centerline.