Just found this forum, and am learning my way around....Was wondering if you guys might be able to offer a beginner some advice.

When I was a kid I built several Guillow stick and tissue kits. I loved 'em. I want to get back into them, and have been looking at some on line plans for vintage planes. Maybe some of you have heard of the Korda?

Anyway, I recently bought a couple of older .049 Cox engines from E-Bay. I'm thinking about using them for free flight (yeah, this is an RC forum, but I haven't found any other).

Here's my question: Since I've never used a model engine, and have no clue of even how to start it, can any of you point me in the right direction?

Thanks.

Semper fi,
Brad

Welcome, I guess there isn't a free Flight forum, is there?! There's a Control line one, maybe a F.F. one some day??? Anyway, you need fuel (obviously) The Cox engines like a little more nitro than the bigger engines, but they'll run O.K. on 10-15% reg. fuel. Actually, there's a forum just for 1/2A engines and such, but since we're here already, back to your question...A good 1.5 volt starting battery, a glow head clip, a 6x3 prop would prob. be good for FF. Do they have the integral fuel tank on the back? If not, then a 1/2 oz. to 1 oz. max tank (don't fill it, or the thing will run too long, and you'll be walkin' a long ways!) If they have spring starters, that'll help a lot. Screw the eng. to a plank, cyl. upright, attach plank to something solid w/ screws, like your porch or sumpthin', open the needle valve about 3 - 3 1/2 turns, and give 'er a try. If you have the spring starter right behind the prop, just wind it clockwise 1 turn after engaging it w/ prop. and let it go. Watch your fingers, one of the nastiest "bites" I've ever gotten from a prop was from one of those little buggers! I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but somebody else will chime in before too long...

Yes there is another thing to watch out for: Most .049 engines will run backwards just as well as they will run forwards. I used to keep a rag handy to throw into the prop so that I could quickly stop an engine that was running backwards. If I used the needle valve to stop the engine, it would take too long to relocate the "sweet spot" setting where the engine would start easily. Also, remember, it is very easy to flood an .049 engine, and when you do, you must wait a while to let it dry out. Howver, a drop of two of fuel in the exhaust port will help the engine start and run long enough to get a steady flow of fuel going through the intake.

Another thought: Once you have the engine started, you need to adjust the fuel flow with the needle valve. Clockwise makes it leaner, CCW makes it richer. The engine will prefer to start rich, but it will need to be adjusted leaner to run efficiently. The adjustment can be done by ear, closing the valve causes a rising howl as the fuel mixture gets leaner. Too lean, and the engine will stop. If you open the valve, the engine will begin to splutter, so close it from that point until it stops spluttering and begins to howl. Remember that when you are flying, the engine will be running leaner than on the ground, so don't make the engine reach maximum howl on the ground.