Captmicom is a dealer, and a regular contributor in a lot of the RCGF strings. He's actually flown the new 26 in a 3D profile. Performance numbers he gained are screwed as he's flying at an altitude high enough where his numbers don't mean much. Here's a link to his store:

https://www.swaerovista.com/RCGF-26cc-Gas-Engine.html

Too bad he's $50 higher than BP. I just went to buy one from them and found out they were out of stock as well.

Looks like hes only got the old 26cc engine. Ill send a email and see if he's going to have them available...

I've used those plastic mounts with no problems before; even put a Poulan 42cc shaker on them and flew many flights on one plane. No problems, but they are heavier than you would think.

AV8TOR

Well, bad news. I got a reply from BPhobbies. I asked if they had any idea of when they may get the 26ccBM back in stock from RCGF. They said "We are working out some parts issues with RCGF. We hope to resolve it soon."

So to me, that seems like it may be a while. I wish that there were some of the other RCGF distributors carried this engine. I wonder why BP is the only place that even has them on their site. Ive emailed all of the other retailers and they all say that they do not carry it, and don't know if or when they ever will. This engine looks like it would be a game changer to fill the gap in power and weight between the 20cc and 30cc engines...but may prove to be a unicorn....

A good running 26cc beam mount engine would be most desireable to bridge the gap between the 20 and 30cc engines, however RCGF has always been a hit or miss affair at the best of times, even after the numerous name changes it has undergone. I was just about getting ready to pull the trigger on purchasing a 26cc from Captmicom, but there seems to be none available anywhere so maybe it's all for the best.

Waiting patiently to what the soon to be released 21cc 'low profile' gas engine from Valley View is all about.

I havent heard of this 21cc engine from vv. Ill have to check it out. I thought about trying their 20cc engine. I dont like how the muffler points away from the head (for side mounting it on a 3d profile plane i assume).

I just got a reply from Southwest Aerovista hobbies the 26cc BM is available. Its not listed on their site so i dont know the price. Ill let ya'll know what i find out.

for the RCGF reputation, ive heard their old 26cc was junk, but the 20cc bm has been said to be good as well as some other bigger engines. And this looks like a larger bore version of their 20cc bm.

Well, he wrote me back tonight. Their price is $240 (50 bucks more than BPhobbies). I wanted to try this motor out since it was such a bargain, but at that price Im not sure I want to risk this thing being a dud.

Decisions decisions...

I'm kinda leaning towards using my DLE20. If I cant get a hover out of if with the 20 and a 18x6 I may just go ahead and throw more weight on it with a smoke system and fly it sport plane style. Smoke is always fun...

That price for an untried engine from a company with a not so good rep is too much pf a risk for me. Will give it some time in the market place and see what evolves, as if it turns out to be similar to it's predecessor then it will suffer the same fate.

WELL... I've been emailing with Joe from Southwest Aerovista hobbies quite a bit. From viewing some threads on the interweb and conversing with him it seems like he will provide pretty good customer support. He is also an authorized repair company for RCGF.

So, despite the price discrepancy I've decided to throw caution to the wind, pay the extra 50 bucks and order the motor from him. I'm being impatient and want to get my plane flying and BP hobbies has no idea when they will get another shipment of the engine (and I dont want a bunch of different holes in my firewall from mounting the DLE20 first). If it turns out that this engine produces the power I'm looking for, then all will be well. If not, I took one for the team and saved ya'll some money and heart ache.

Joe has sold 6 of them so far and has had no reports of any issues from customers about it. That's reassuring along with the one report of it swinging a 18x6 Xoar at over 8800rpm...

When I get it and do some run time I'll compare it side by side to the DLE20, post all the info and answer any questions you guys may have to the best of my ability.

Ahicks....I'm going to PM you..

Mach2,

Good of you to take one for the team, hopefully it will be to your benefit and without a doubt we will be looking forward to your test run reports and you can expect our questions. Cheers.

^^ X2! ^^

So, do you have it yet? ;^)

I needed to wait for payday (today). Gave Joe (Captmicom) at SW aerovista hobbies. As I mentioned, we had been emailing back and forth for a while and he knew I was going to order today. Not only did he hold his last one for me, he was going to ship it out a couple days ago (before I had even paid him!) but he got busy. Anyway, It will be shipped out first thing tomorrow morning and should arrive Friday. We talked for a few minutes today when I ordered. He's a real cool guy.

A note about BP hobbies. Just out of curiosity, I emailed them again to see if they had any idea when they would get more engines in. They replied "We are still having parts problem with RCGF. I am trying to work it out. It may be a while." Im not sure whats going on with them, but it seems like they are running out of stock on all their RCGF engines and parts, and their stock is not being replenished. So we'll see if they continue to be a viable source for RCGF engines. Joe from SW aerovista seems to be in contact with RCGF quite often and is trying to make a meeting with them here in the US. I guess they are here for a RC expo somewhere in the midwest.

Hopefully, for those of us who own RCGF engines, the "parts issues" are just a relationship issue rather than an issue at RCGF.

I can vouch for Joe at SW. I have an RCGF 15 that had issues. Joe helped me out.
I bought a Boeman ring for my DLE30. He included a note that Chinese engines need to have the crankcase disassembled and cleaned up. Especially the reed cage. I did that and my engine runs much better.
I also have a NGH 25. It looks to me to be a better engine.

I'm a little confused about one thing. Did you buy the ring and receive the note from Frank Bowman or Joe? I have seen pictures of some "flashing" on the internals on some engines. Especially on the reed cage. I've had my DLE20 apart for repair and inspection. I did not see any areas with flashing that needed to be cleaned up. On the DLE20, the reed cage is a polymer and had no areas that needed to be cleaned up. I love that little engine. I think I'm going to try a Bowman ring in it, as well as possibly testing out a "velocity stack", just to see if the engine runs any smoother. I'm not sure how I can really tell, because it runs so well already. But I like performance upgrades! I think it comes from me always tinkering on my cars (superchargers, cams, rocker arms, etc...).

As for NGH engines, I'm not a fan of the carb location on them. I've also read a lot of negative things about that style carb configuration. Seems like they need some modifications to make them run as they should...

Oh, and just fyi...I realized I will be on duty friday and saturday, so I will not be able to get my hands on the engine until I get home sunday...

Jeremy

The note I received was from Bowman.

I like the carb position on the NGH. Its a lot easier to prime the engine and hook up the throttle control. And there is no reeds to worry about.
What issues have you heard about the NGH? Mine runs just fine

A number of people on this forum have had issues with these engines running unreliably. The theory is that the carburetor configuration puts the carb directly in the prop blast which can result in pressure fluctuations across the diaphragm. Some people have fixed the issue by soldering the hole in the diaphragm cover closed, installing a new brass nipple fitting into the cover, and running an extension hose into the fuse to keep the pressure at atmospheric at all times. Others swear that this is just putting a band-aid on bad tuning. Just trying to give both sides of the story. Here's a good thread to check out on this issue when you have time.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/gas-...as-engine.html

That fix has been required many times for rear carb engines. There are large air fluctuations inside most cowls

Personally, I have never had to use that method on any of the 8 rear carb gassers that I have, all of which are in tightly cowled warbirds. I don't have any experience with the front mount carbs and I'm not sure that I'm completely convinced of the theory I mentioned. However, if the theory is true, it seems from the postings of other members that the problem might be exascerbated by the front carb configuration that subjects the carburetor to prop blast. I don't think anything has been proven at this point and I doubt that it ever will be unless someone wants to pony up a ton of cash.

Dirtybird, Have you flown the engine? Just curious because of the issues this guy had with his 17cc. It ran great, until in the air. I believe the prop wash may have an effect, but not as much as the wind and pressure created in flight. This video talks about all the problems he had with this configuration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdX5n_A4sbs

To me, it seems like they took a glow engine and said "hey, lets put a spark plug in it and slap a gas carb on and run gas.

Not only does the location have its issues, but the polymer reed cage acts as a heat buffer (or sink) to keep the carb and the gas cool. And gas motors are supposed to have reeds (I dont see a reason to "worry" about them). Given their purpose and function, I dont see how a 2 stroke gasser without a reed valve can make as much power, have the same smoothness and rpm transition as an engine without it (all other aspects being the same). For maintenance, they are are easy to check, easy to replace, cheap, and should last you until you need to change the other replacement parts in the carb like the diaphram...

Please dont take it as an attack on you or your equipment. Or that im one of those "if I dont have it, its junk" type of guys. The above is just my take on the two engine styles. I hope nothing but the best for everyone. I want everyone to have enjoyable times at the field without headaches. I hope your engine continues to work well for you and trouble free. I dont wish for anyone to have issues with their equipment. It sucks.

Oh, for the rear carb engines. Ive never heard of this fix for the cowl pressure issue. I do however have my own experiences with the phenomenon. I think the real fix is to tune it with the cowl on. Tuning on the ground is the starting point. I think guys get frustrated when it changes in the air. And they also tune and fly it without the cowl because its easier. Then they fly with the cowl and they scratch their heads and get mad.....Tune it by flying in with the cowl on from the start, and itll make the process a lot shorter and easier.

Jeremy

No I have not flown the engine. I will next week on a Lazy ace biplane.
I got the engine last year but shortly after I broke it in I inadvertently dropped a price of safety wire in the carb and it destroyed the piston.
Agape rebuilt it but by then I had crashed the AC I was going to put it on.
Last week I pulled out this old Lazy Ace and installed it. I have just fiinshed breaking it in again.. Its turning a 17/6 prop at 9800 rpm.
Ill let you know how it works out.
The RCGF engine I had seized shortly after I started it. The bearing cage on the rod bearing came apart. I contacted Joe and he gave me a new engine. I could not get the new engine to respond properly. Joe took it back and worked on it but it still would not respond. The carb needles had to be way off to get it to run.
Then I got the note from Bowman. I took the crankcase apart and cleaned up the flashing, and sealed it with silicon seal. It now runs with the carb needles where they should be. The choke even works now.

Well I hope your NGH runs as well in the air as it does on the ground. Let us know.

Too bad you had troubles with your RCGF. What's it powering and hows it doing? How long ago did you get it? Do they have a newer version of it or is it the current engine?

Jeremy

The RCGF is running just great now. Unfortunately I am grounded now with skin cancers on my left hand. I tried to get a friend to fly it but he refused. Its on an old Goldberg Ultimate. It was a kit that someone else started and sold to another. I got it off the last guy and finished it. My friend was afraid of its history.
I should have the stitches out of my hand next week. I got a couple of aircraft I want to try
I bought the engine about a year ago

So sorry to hear about your health issues, althought skin cancer is usually easily taken care of, correct? I'm sure you'll be back in the skies soon after those stitches come out.

Tell your friend that he's a sissy and chastize him with great vigor when you fly the plane yourself.

I have had a triple bypass surgery, two strokes, and colon cancer. This skin cancer is just a minor issue.
I also lost one eye due to botched cataract surgery.
My friends call me "Lucky"