Priming engine in cowl...
 

Guys, I just finished putting together my first plane with a cowl. I can't put my finger over the carb to prime the engine. How do you do this with an engine mostly hidden behind a cowl?

RE: Priming engine in cowl...
 

If you can plug up the muffler exit, then do this for a couple seconds while spinning the prop with the starter. When you plug the exhaust, you force high pressure air into the tank which in turn forces fuel into the carburetor.

RE: Priming engine in cowl...
 

Without the glow starter connected open the throttle to full and place your finger over the opening(s) on the muffler, and follow the same procedure of flipping the prop as you would if you covered the carb. It will work exactly the same. The only difference is that you won't be able to see the fuel line and see fuel entering the carb. But if you work with the engine for a bit with the cowl removed you'll get a feel for how much to flip the prop to prime the engine, and then you'll be able to do it with the cowl on when you can't see the fuel line.

Hope this helps

Ken

RE: Priming engine in cowl...
 

I don't worry about it...I always use an electric starter.....and go it takes a tad longer but it will fire.....if not the finger over the muffler will work

RE: Priming engine in cowl...
 

I have made a cork stopper for the Pitts muffler exits to help with priming.

However , i find that having to alter teh engine tune with teh cowl on is a pain and will be devising a method to run a length of the fuel tubing outside the cowl and have a hole for the low speed needle so a screwdriver can get in there.</p>

RE: Priming engine in cowl...
 

Thumb over the muffler exhaust worked like a charm. Thanks. Yeah, I need to add a hole in the cowl for low speed needle access.