have a 65, started up engine and it pours oil out of i believe the front bearing, bearing feels smooth though,turns 10000 on a 11-7 prop. is there a seal on the bearing? if not the bearing leaking the gaskets all look good and screw are tight. I thought at first it was leaking around a push rod seal but man does it pour oil out . Please let me know what you guys think, I am all through buying used engines though you never know what u will end up with thanks chris

Chris,
This engine has probably lost its outer bearing shield which prevents such leakage. Saito is a little more involved to change bearings due to valve timing. If the engine runs well then it is well worth replacing bearings and do both at the same time.
I guss I should have expalined, the shield is part of the bearing and covers the balls from dirt and most leakage. You will not be able to see the bearings if it is in place. It will be easy to spot when the rear prop hub is removed. Be aware, most inner bearings have the shield removed for lubrication and often the front one has the inner shield removed for the same reason.
Most commercial bearing supply houses have bearings in stock for substantially less than mfg. prices. Find someone to help you or obtaine a how-to book.

thanks for your reply gizmo, upon futher running I have found that it is leaking around the screw on the camshaft cover left side out of the threads I plan on taking the screw out and putting some loctite on it I hope I hope that will fix it or i must have a cracked case the engine also wants to have the high speed needle almost all the way in it winds up to about 10500, and then when I richen the needle it acts eractic. My 150 saito does not act at all like this engine,I suggest everybody be careful buying used engines from where ever thanks chris

You'll be sorry to put loctite under that screw. Just use some RTV silicone instead.

I've obtained several Saito's used. They had all had the bearing replaced before they came into my possession but needed them replaced again. Most of them had all the seals on both bearings when I got them.

I've seen all kinds of crazy things done to model engines by people. I try to make an evaluation before hand but have been mostly surprised upon dissassembly.

Enjoy,

Jim

I had a Saito 65 that had a problem similar to yours but I found that the oil was coming from the brass fitting on the bottom of the crankcase. The fitting is designed to place a fuel hose on so the oil can be vented overboard.

Yeah, I agree, don't use Loktite. Use the RTV instead.

Reminds me of a newcomer to RC who bought a box of goodes on Ebay that cost him $96.00 including shipping for spare parts, servos and such. Turns out it was the old G-style plugs and the servos were from the 70's and outdated. I must admit, he got a huge supply of O rings but unfortunately, the are hard as rocks.
Buyers beware.

3dbob

[b]Chris:

As Jim said, don't put any LocTite on any screws in a Saito engine. RTV, as he said, is fine.

Leaking around a cam box screw? And running out the front in great amounts? I'd take a close look at the crank case vent, suspecting it to be plugged. Even with an open front bearing there should not be a great amount there.

On the bearing itself - note that "Shielded" and "Sealed" bearings are not the same. A shielded bearing has one or two metal covers on the side, these will still allow air flow through the bearing, and an amount of oil to escape. A sealed bearing has one or two rubber seals, when working properly they allow no flow through the bearing.

Your front bearing is a number 608, dimensions 8x22x7 mm. As a shielded bearing it's a 608-Z, with a double shield it's a 608-ZZ. For a sealed version the number is 608-RS, or with a seal on each side it is 608-2RS. If you get the single seal or sing;e shield install the bearing with the seal/shield to the outside. A double shielded bearing can be installed either way. If you get the double sealed bearing pop one seal out, carefully please, and then install it, again, with the seal to the outside.

The rear bearing is a 6902. If you get either a sealed or shielded bearing for the rear, remove them. The rear bearing should be an open bearing.

Yes, you can probably get them locally, but RC_Bearings.com gives excellent service and prices.

Bill.

thanks for all ithe advice, I took a fuel line extended the crankcase vent and blew in to pressurize and discovered a pinhole leak by the front cam bolt on the case boy does this stink, I guess I will put some jb weld on it , any other idea's how to fix without putting a new case on it? I bought this from an estate sale,thanks again chris

[b]Chris:

Pinhole? Strongly doubt it. Could be damage from someone using too long a screw, or possibly a crack for one reason or another.

If it's not too bad, and not on the sealing face for the cam housing, JB Weld might do fine. Can you post a picture showing the damage? Might have a better idea.

I've only seen cracks in Saito cases along a mounting lug, all have been caused by landings that were not done well. In other words, nose in at speed. Always got the crank shaft too.

Bill.

believe it or not, the hole in the front of the crankcase just behind the bearing waqs big enough to put a pin into, it was a hole not from a crash. don't know how it got there still got screwed from ebay. I jb welded it and its not leaking yet knock on wood though thanks for everybody who gave me input, I value all of it the engine peaks at 10500 with a 11-8 prop, i then richened it to 9800. thanks again guys gotta love rcu chris

Chris,
If you "Got-it-right, be happy. The seller may have never known as it was an "estate"
sale. I got royally screwed on RCU on a TT engine. The "seller" went away never to return, good riddance.
There is a good chance it may remain fixed for ever or at least a long time. Remember how you feel about this and NEVER pass on junk to others, this is still about having fun, FIRST.