Saito FG-60R3
05-04-2021, 04:27 AM
#2676
Member
Hey,
check you low speed needle.
if the motor dies in midrange the L needle is too lean.
it doen‘nt mean that a new motor has the correct needle setup. It depends on wich fuel and ratio you use.
Had a new dle20 on test bench last Friday and its factory set H-needle was way to lean by using 1:25mix.
So enrich you low needle a bit and let the Motor run arround 2500-3500rpm for a few minutes and watch if it will die anyway...
Regards, Dave
check you low speed needle.
if the motor dies in midrange the L needle is too lean.
it doen‘nt mean that a new motor has the correct needle setup. It depends on wich fuel and ratio you use.
Had a new dle20 on test bench last Friday and its factory set H-needle was way to lean by using 1:25mix.
So enrich you low needle a bit and let the Motor run arround 2500-3500rpm for a few minutes and watch if it will die anyway...
Regards, Dave
05-07-2021, 05:43 AM
#2678
First experiences:
Had purchased a 60R3 about 3 years ago for some project which I sold. So, I now installed the Saito in a Hangar 9 Super Stick... to gain some experience, once satisfied, it will the be installed in a 6’ Pitts Model 12.
Did nothing to the engine prior going to the field 2 days ago for the run-in, mounted on the airframe. Nicely primed it started on 2nd flip, though luckily died quickly at very high RPM... I pride myself on my workmanship, but this time let myself down... servo reversed
Guess I’m only human after all. Good thing I always tie my models down...
Did some 40 minutes of run-in, then quit for the day. My Jeti radio is supposed to display the RPMs, but for some reason I need to investigate, doesn’t comply.
Went back to the field yesterday. Started on the 4th flip. Still running rich according the Janish Saito instructions, I could hear the Saito was not coming to speed as the day before. Nevertheless, decided carelessly to fly, the Super Stick doesn’t need much power. Well, struggle around the pattern, then landed just as rain arrived. Feeling the cylinders, #1 only lukewarm.
Today removed the valve covers, and confirmed my suspicion: The pushrod of the exhaust valve was dislodged, and the rocker arm almost not moving.
Corrected the issue, greased all the rockers with my Moki Heilemann grease, and adjusted all the tappets play. Tomorrow is field day.
Gotta say, I love the purring music these little radials produce 👍🏻
Had purchased a 60R3 about 3 years ago for some project which I sold. So, I now installed the Saito in a Hangar 9 Super Stick... to gain some experience, once satisfied, it will the be installed in a 6’ Pitts Model 12.
Did nothing to the engine prior going to the field 2 days ago for the run-in, mounted on the airframe. Nicely primed it started on 2nd flip, though luckily died quickly at very high RPM... I pride myself on my workmanship, but this time let myself down... servo reversed
Guess I’m only human after all. Good thing I always tie my models down...Did some 40 minutes of run-in, then quit for the day. My Jeti radio is supposed to display the RPMs, but for some reason I need to investigate, doesn’t comply.
Went back to the field yesterday. Started on the 4th flip. Still running rich according the Janish Saito instructions, I could hear the Saito was not coming to speed as the day before. Nevertheless, decided carelessly to fly, the Super Stick doesn’t need much power. Well, struggle around the pattern, then landed just as rain arrived. Feeling the cylinders, #1 only lukewarm.
Today removed the valve covers, and confirmed my suspicion: The pushrod of the exhaust valve was dislodged, and the rocker arm almost not moving.
Corrected the issue, greased all the rockers with my Moki Heilemann grease, and adjusted all the tappets play. Tomorrow is field day.
Gotta say, I love the purring music these little radials produce 👍🏻
05-19-2021, 03:56 AM
#2680
follow up
Alright... believe or not, I just finished reading the entire thread! Started a week ago, reads like a real thriller 
I’d like to thank all the contributors like cathurga, elmshoot, JieM, and all the others. Learned a lot about the inner workings of that sweet little engine
Mine is a 2018 version and presently mounted on a Hangar 9 Ultra (iso Super… ) Stick for running-in and testing, no mods on a MRS collector ring. Pushing 15 flight of 10’ minutes on mine + about 40' running-in, no problems, yet… fill the tank with the elec pump, a finger on the tank overflow for a few seconds, and it starts on 1-2 flips everytime. Once warm, 1 flip is enough.
Since it was running too well, decided and ordered the MMM ignition ring, which I installed yesterday, yet to test. Measured advance was, in line with others, 45° on #1, now corrected to 30°. Thinking about the intake mod... you guys have me spend more $$$
I’d like to thank all the contributors like cathurga, elmshoot, JieM, and all the others. Learned a lot about the inner workings of that sweet little engine
Mine is a 2018 version and presently mounted on a Hangar 9 Ultra (iso Super… ) Stick for running-in and testing, no mods on a MRS collector ring. Pushing 15 flight of 10’ minutes on mine + about 40' running-in, no problems, yet… fill the tank with the elec pump, a finger on the tank overflow for a few seconds, and it starts on 1-2 flips everytime. Once warm, 1 flip is enough.
Since it was running too well, decided and ordered the MMM ignition ring, which I installed yesterday, yet to test. Measured advance was, in line with others, 45° on #1, now corrected to 30°. Thinking about the intake mod... you guys have me spend more $$$
05-19-2021, 06:43 AM
#2682
Hi Sparky
Plenty queries, only few answers...
The only sensor on the engine is the RPM, did work in the workshop whilst building, now dead, no clue
I did an update on my Jeti RC that changed a few things, might be the culprit, have to look into that.
Yes the motor is a "newer" one, thick lugs and lo compression pistons, but as mentioned above, was still advanced at 45°. My testbed, the UltraStick is rather short legged and I'm running a small 3 blade Mejzlik 19x11N. The plan is to log another few dozen flights and then install the Saito on a Goldwing PittsThe Beast, of 1800mm (71.8") span, with a bigger prop like a 24x10, still on 3 blades. I know from experience that those radials develop more torque than horsepower, and that the cowl size also matters.
Our field elevation is 1400ft, not really high for CHE, and with the actual lo Ts must be right on std atmosphere. The weather's been pretty miserable for 2 weeks now, so hope to resume testing next week...
Plenty queries, only few answers...
The only sensor on the engine is the RPM, did work in the workshop whilst building, now dead, no clue
I did an update on my Jeti RC that changed a few things, might be the culprit, have to look into that.Yes the motor is a "newer" one, thick lugs and lo compression pistons, but as mentioned above, was still advanced at 45°. My testbed, the UltraStick is rather short legged and I'm running a small 3 blade Mejzlik 19x11N. The plan is to log another few dozen flights and then install the Saito on a Goldwing PittsThe Beast, of 1800mm (71.8") span, with a bigger prop like a 24x10, still on 3 blades. I know from experience that those radials develop more torque than horsepower, and that the cowl size also matters.
Our field elevation is 1400ft, not really high for CHE, and with the actual lo Ts must be right on std atmosphere. The weather's been pretty miserable for 2 weeks now, so hope to resume testing next week...
05-20-2021, 10:59 AM
#2684
Senior Member
My 60R3 is now 2 years old and is still running great and start very easy by hand (easier then my 90R3). I fly it wide open throttle almost all the time without any problems in my VQ Rarebear.
Only mod I have done is a MMM timing ring and a Meier Ring. Although I fly most of the time WOT, the midrange is perfect and in my opinion the intake mod is really not necessary. The only benefit I see is that you can use less oil in the fuel.
Prop: Mejzlik: 21x12 (6400 rpm on ground)
Ignition Batt: 2S LiFe 2100
Oil: Addinol pole position 2 Stroke
Only mod I have done is a MMM timing ring and a Meier Ring. Although I fly most of the time WOT, the midrange is perfect and in my opinion the intake mod is really not necessary. The only benefit I see is that you can use less oil in the fuel.
Prop: Mejzlik: 21x12 (6400 rpm on ground)
Ignition Batt: 2S LiFe 2100
Oil: Addinol pole position 2 Stroke
05-21-2021, 04:38 AM
#2687
talking about removing that flange... mine was holding on pretty good. Using a quality 3 claw Kukko puller, still had to use the hot air gun and finally resort to a few "technical knocks" with a plastic hammer to free that flange...
06-19-2021, 11:27 PM
#2689
lolo396, with that 19x11N the on ground revs were hitting 6500rpm, well too hi, probably hitting 7K airborne. And couldn’t go below 1100 at idle.
Now switched to a 3 blade Mejzlik 23x10, max on ground 4900, idle down to 750-800rpm.
These figures are using an on board Excel Tachometer.
One interesting thing still on the agenda is to measure and compare static thrust...
Now counting 34 flights of 10 minutes each, the Saito always starting on the 2nd blade latest... man, do I love that sound
Now switched to a 3 blade Mejzlik 23x10, max on ground 4900, idle down to 750-800rpm.
These figures are using an on board Excel Tachometer.
One interesting thing still on the agenda is to measure and compare static thrust...
Now counting 34 flights of 10 minutes each, the Saito always starting on the 2nd blade latest... man, do I love that sound
Last edited by DeeCee 57; 06-19-2021 at 11:33 PM. Reason: Corrections
The following users liked this post:
lolo396 (06-21-2021)
07-06-2021, 04:49 PM
#2692
My Feedback: (1)
Hi everyone, I am a little late to the Saito FG 60 R3 game but I am very happy with mine so far which I bought in Feb 2021. It is the latest version with the new cylinders. After all that I read on this thread I still wanted the engine for my Top Flight Hellcat. Only mods are the MRS Exhaust Ring and the CH Ignitions Prop Drive to correct the timing. I never ran it with the stock prop drive so I cannot compare but all the advice on this forum I did not have too. Engine has 3 tanks thru it and idles at 700, it will go down as low as 600 lol. I raised the idle to about 900-1000. Running a Biela 22x10 2 blade WWII Prop at 6200 as recommended by everyone here. Max ground rpm I went to is 7100 but lowered it right back to 6200. Running VP Ethanol Free 94 octane fuel with Deluxe materials Power Model 2T-S oil. I want to thank everyone here for such an informative thread.
The following users liked this post:
elmshoot (09-06-2021)
10-16-2021, 07:30 AM
#2694
I have one of the first fg60r3 and it was on the shelve all these years project took a little longer then expected . The mods i will do is placing a 0.5mm gasket under the cilinders to lower compression and I ordered the mmm timing ring. I hope these adjustment will keep it from cracking cilinders. Futerhermore i am going to do the JieM intake mod. I really love this engine on my byron at6 and i am contemplating to buy another one for an ugly stick.
And about the cracking of the cilinders. I have an saito fg21 petrol that also cracked the cilinder after about 25l of fuel so not only the 60r3 had this issue.
. The mods i will do is placing a 0.5mm gasket under the cilinders to lower compression and I ordered the mmm timing ring. I hope these adjustment will keep it from cracking cilinders. Futerhermore i am going to do the JieM intake mod. I really love this engine on my byron at6 and i am contemplating to buy another one for an ugly stick.And about the cracking of the cilinders. I have an saito fg21 petrol that also cracked the cilinder after about 25l of fuel so not only the 60r3 had this issue.
Last edited by rwijnhov; 10-16-2021 at 07:37 AM.
The following users liked this post:
JieM (10-17-2021)
10-18-2021, 02:41 AM
#2697
User report, now 50 flights on the R3, my timer is set @ 10‘, means 500‘ + the 40‘ for break-in, totals 540‘+ = 9 hours + of running.
properly primed starts on first flip, still in love with the sound, or music
properly primed starts on first flip, still in love with the sound, or music