I purchased a DLE 30 engine with a side carb two years ago. When the Waco ARF became available from Great Planes I acquired one and installed the engine. When the model was completed I was unable to start the engine. I have been flying the Great Planes Stearman for three years with a Zenoah 26 in it and have several other bigger models with gas engines. Seveeral of my gas engine enthusiast friends were unable to start the engine. I contacted the DLE customer support office. I was told that I must convert my engine to rear carb and that the side carb had been discontinued. The Waco is built around the side carb engine per the Great Planes instructions and photos with their supplied parts. To replace the engine with a rear carb engine would be difficult at this point. Am I missing something here? My faith in a great contributor to our hobby has been shaken.

I bought one of the first side carb DLE 30cc engines sold. Did a lot of testing and discovered if you mount the engine at 20 degrees to the left of cylinder being strait down....they run fine. Make sure the carb is wet inside (loosen the pump cover and force fue from tank into carb) quickley retighten the 4 screws and try to start it. Also make sure you have a full charge on a 4.8 volt pack. Let us know what happens. Capt,n PS On starting open the throttlle 1/8- 1/4 open and with choke on...crank untill it fires. Open choke and it should start in a few flips. Capt,n

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcNqC...er&list=UL After changing to 20= degree ANGLE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NLwWpK00NQ with cyl strait down...Ist test

Where did you buy your DLE30?

Not to worry....it will run fine with the side mount carb. On some installs the side mount method is better. On rear carb versions, sometimes a lot of firewall work is needed. My engine is rear intake now...but depending on install I may convert it back to side intake. Capt,n

I have had ZERO problems with my side-draft DLE 30. On the first start, it needed a direct prime, but after that I was advised to richen the low-speed needle and it has run fine ever since. Telling someone that it has to be converted to run is just plain wrong.

I bought it at Troy Built in Sarasota when I visited their place to buy a Spitfire ARF.

I finally got my engine started after I hinstalled a used metering diaphragm from a Zenoah 26 engine and used an electric starter. It turns an 18 by 8 Zinger at 7900 rpm. The Waco flies well and looks great. What a pity that better customer support is not available. Make that any customer support.

It is available, just not at TBM.

If one is to read much on the DLE30, you will find a lot of guys like the service Jody does. If you need a prop for that DLE30 he has em....and he pre-drills them free. Buying a engine is one thing....getting good service is what coumts in the long run. I post this on my own...Jody does not even knowI have/did...untill he reads it. Best Regards Capt.n

I buy all my engines from Valley View RC. You can't beat the suport Jody gives you!!!! He is the best, very friendly & fair. My first DLE was a 30cc side mount. It works just fine. The only situation I have is, it is hard to start the first time. I've pulled the plug and it looks a tad bit wet. I'll be working on the low end needle soon. Other than that, it's great. Just like all my other VVRC DLE's.

Thanks. It's great to learn about a concerned merchant that one can rely on.

Hello captinjohn; Thank you for posting the link for that video; to be honest I was quite amaze on your video,

so by turning the engine to the left by 20 degrees will make it "reliable" right?, now what if i do a right roll in flight, will she sustain its reliability? how safe is to rotate the engine for more aggressive maneuvers like 3D, Please advise

I do not do 3D but I would also add a Frank bowman ring if it does not run real good after some break-in. The Bowman ring will help it beak in faster...saving a lot of time...and fuel. Get it runing on a test stand and see what you got. The more you start it up, run untill fully warmed up...shutdown and cool...the faster it will break-in. Also you will learn all the little running habits it has.

Capt,n

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl_3h...er&list=UL After Bowman ring install.