4 stroke hints and tips
 

I have never used a 4 stroke engine and I have a .71 Magnum 4-stroke and have it mounted inverted. Is there any tips on how to cut the cowl? I will have to cut the bottom i know to get at the glow plug and a hole for the exhaust and a hole for the needle. If im using an electric starter do i need to have the choke assembly on since i dont plan on priming the engine before i start it. Also if the glow plug is on the bottom how is the best way to us the glow plug starer. I know this all probably sounds obvious but any hints and tips would be great.

Thanks,
Brad

RE: 4 stroke hints and tips
 

Here is a good way to help with the glow plug. A remote socket you mount on the plane http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXD694&P=7

RE: 4 stroke hints and tips
 

Use a remote glow setup... you won't need the hole in the cowl and your hands will be safe when diconnecting the igniter after start-up.

RE: 4 stroke hints and tips
 

I agree, you need a remote adaptor. Hook it up to your glow plug and mount the other end wherever convenient, side of fuselage works good.
For cutting holes. tape pieces of poster board, construction paper or even just printer paper to the fuselage. Cut the paper where needed. Remove engine. without removing the paper slide the cowl underneath paper, mark cowl and cut.(use the same method for drilling your cowls mounting holes)

RE: 4 stroke hints and tips
 

You can remove the choke from the carb, it isn't really necessary. If you do decide to choke, simply put your finger over the exhaust and hand crank through the compression stroke. Just once, and make sure the glow driver isn't connected.

I would offer the suggestion that you tune and break in the engine without a cowl. After about 1/2 gal through the engine, you can then make it perty. Not having the cowl in the way makes adjusting the carb and linkage a lot eaiser. Expecailly the idle mix jet.

Make sure you use the fuel recomended, IE 15% nitro and 18% oil with a mix of castor. Omega works very well. Just get the straight fuel, not heli or 4 stroke. O.S. F plug is a must. I tried the fox and another "4 stroke" plug but ended up going to the O.S. F plug.

When you are ready to fire it up, check in first for tuning tips. That carb is different than any of the other four strokes I have, both Magnum and O.S. in that the idle jet doesn't screw in to a stop, but out to one. The manual gives the inital settings and break in instructions. Follow them closely and you will love the engine. It is a good choice, dependable and great running.

Don

RE: 4 stroke hints and tips
 

every plane that I have with a cowl and a 4st engine uses the remote glow igniter its way safer and there's no need to chop up the cowel for access to the glow plug the holes you need are for air circulation at the head, a exit for hot air and the pipe,and the needle valve extention to poke through,you will need to remove the needle when you put the cowl on,and remove it, and the fuel valve if you chose to have it in the engine compartment,it can be mounted to the fuse side as well as the glow remote.
here's a example of one of my planes one side you can see the needle valve extention and behind it is the remote glow location, on the other side is the EZ fueler.

RE: 4 stroke hints and tips
 

I've never extended a needle valve how is this done?

RE: 4 stroke hints and tips
 

There is a hole in the end of the needle vavle and a set screw on the side. Put a piece of music wire or an old allen wrench in the hole and tighten down the set screw.The music wire or whatever you use acts as the extension. cut off to length and bend the end for a handle.

RE: 4 stroke hints and tips
 

I run an onboard glow on all my larger 4 strokes. It's great no holes in the cowl. You just need to step out on the line with a starter and away you go. Just a small pc board and a single cell for power. It helps it run smoother on the low end especially when inverted, because the glow is always hot on the low end.

Check it out.
http://www.42-percent-products.com/glow-accessories.htm

RE: 4 stroke hints and tips
 

thats very cool

RE: 4 stroke hints and tips
 

Yea I love them on my VQ P-61 with OS 120