I'm running my first gas engine,Running in to trouble starting it, possibly because I don't know how to postion the prop relative to top dead center.

It's a 2 stroke 40cc engine, I have run it on a stand but I changed props when I put it on the plane.

My arm is sore from flippin it and so is my thunb cus it wacked me twice (ouch)

Thanks in advance


Scott

I am assuming it is a magneto engine
Rather than using TDC as a reference look at the magnet in relation to the coil.
What works best for me is to start your flip with the magnet about 20 degrees before the coil.
Make it a fast, snappy flip.
You must have enough rotational speed for the coil to produce the spark when the magnet passes it.
Depending on the engine, the advance could be anywhere from 15 to 30 degrees BTC.
Also make sure the engine is well primed.

If it's electronic ignition I can't give you any info since all my engines are mag.

I have 2 mag engines and I use my 2 fisted Sullivan Starter on both of them. That starter will turn anything and I only use 6 volts. It can handle 12 volts. The engines had spring starters on them when I bought them but I took them off. I know that some of the mag engines were hard to start by hand because you couldn't flip it fast enough. I don't know if mine are hard to start by hand or not but I can tell you that turning them with that starter they fire up almost immediatly. My other engines are electronic ignition and they start easliy by hand. I always locate the prop inbetween the 2 and 3 o'clock position as you can feel some resistance on the beginning of the compression stroke. I do this for all my engines. It works out good for me when flipping by hand and also if the engine quits the prop will end up horizontal to the wings. It sometimes saves the prop from striking the ground especially if you get a dead stick. At least it works for me. I'm sure there are a thousand differant thoughts on this. Bill