Engine Selection Help
 

Hello everyone. OK, I bought an already built biplane. The seller said he had a 40 in it. Now I am stuck because the throttle pushtod is installed and it is at the top of the firewall. Now here is the problems that I am running into. What engine can you buy that when you turn it sideways, top to the left, that the throttle will hook on the left side of the engine where you typically have the highspeed adjustment? Also keep in mind the cowl is precut... to where you have to turn the engine to the left. I tried using the OS LA Blue 40 but the muffler he the side and wouldn't leave enough clearing. However, I still needed to cut a hole in the firewall and move the throttle pushrod. I am trying to get an engine so I don't have to cut the cowl on the left side and have to try and coverup the right side of the cowl. I would order a new one but have no idea who manufactured it. sighhhhhhh...If someone has an idea of who manufactured this and where I could order a cowl please let me know too. thanks for the help guys

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

No idea about who manufactured the plane, but you could find out what engine the prior owner had in it and simply get one exactly like it.

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

Hello JustErik...I wished it was that easy. I was so excited when I bought the plane I asked so many questions but forgot to ask what type of engine he had in it. I bought the plane at a swap meet. but thanks for the idea.

Joe

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

IF it was my plane.
I would glass the current cutouts, repaint the cowl and put whatever engine I want.
From the pics the opening IMO look like a hatchet job anyway.
A 52 size 4 stroke would probably fit the best with the holes you have now.

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

I'm a bit confused...

Most of my 2C engines with the HS needle on the carb, have the needle opposite the muffler.

Assuming you are talking about "left side" as viewed from the canopy/pilot's perspective, this corresponds to what you are asking for.

Only the "remote needle valve" engines differ, and you usually can move the HS needle on those to the carb itself too.

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

Missleman, thank you for your thought... How do you glass the current cutout. I agree with you that the cutout is at best, horrible. Whatis a 52 size 4 stroke comparative too? I don't know anything about the 4 strokes.

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

Fiber Glassing is really not that hard to do.5 or 6 oz cloth and thin or thinned epoxy. Tape a piece of cardboard covered with wax paper over the opening to act as a mold, paint on a layer of epoxy, place in your fiberglass cloth (enough to extent about 1" outside of opening you are filling) paint on more epoxy on top of cloth until wet, squegee off exess. When fully cured (allow 24+ hours) remove cardboard/wax paper (some will stick, don't worry) sand and fill with automotive spot puty, sand again until you get a nice smooth surface, Prime and paint and you will never know the hole was there.
Even a small package of fiberglass cloth will be way more than you need so a practice run on a piece of scrap wouldn't hurt.
52 size 4 stroke is equivelent to a quality 40 size 2 stroke.
Magnum makes a nice one, Tower has them for $130 and if you look around you may find one for less.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAN93&P=0

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

Some engines you can reverse the internals of the carb left to right and viseversa. I would check that out first. All my motors are four stroke motors and they allow you to do that.Good luck

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

A small 4 stroke like the 52 might be just right, you may have to work at relocating the throttle rod location but it will be good training anyway. If you go that way fix the engine cowel last for a good fit. This plane looks somewhat like a DeHavland Tiger Moth?
The changes suggested are not difficult after you get into them. Good Luck;)

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

Hello LOU1947...Yeah I think that is what I will have to do and think will work the best. I didn't realize that 4 stroke carbs could be turned around. so off to the store for a new 4 stroke or I might just wait until Feb 9th we are having a huge RC Show at Hara Arena in Dayton Ohio. Maybe I can get one at a great price there.:D

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

It looks like a Gee Bee manuf. Tiger Moth...a friend has built several.

It probably had a 4 stroke .40 in it...

My friend has flown his with .25 and .32 O.S. 2 strokes, and .30 to .40 O.S. 4 strokes...

I think the .52 would be a bit heavy for it?

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

Maybe you could just get a new cowl if you could figure out what plane it is? Fiberglass specialties may have a .40 size Tiger Moth cowl. I think that would look much better.
I agree with using a 4-stroke. I have a saito .56 and love it. Perfect for that type of plane. Get the best engine for the plane and just re-install the throttle cable to suit the engine. It is not difficult at all to re-rout them.

RE: Engine Selection Help
 

Maybe look at this one http://www.fiberglassspecialtiesinc.com/catalog.htm Look under Kyosho.