I have this old motor that I got from a co-worker, and I got it started up, but only ran for a few seconds. Not knowing any thing about glow motors(been in electrics for the last 2 years), I started messing with the knobs out of ignorance, now I can't get her to start at all. The motor has been sitting up for over 5 years, and may just need a good cleaning?? If any one has suggestions I would greatly appreciate them.
Thanks
Philip

....pull both needles out of the carb, and see if they
have the "green gack" on them. Get a can of Carb and
Choke cleaner from the Auto Parts Store. Clean the
needles up, and give the carb a few good blasts in
both sides where the needles go. Hold the motor
up-side down so that stuff doesn't run into the crank-
case.

Put it back together, and give it a try. Set the small
needle at 1 1/2 turns out, and the big needle at 2 1/2.
That should get you back in the Ball-park....

Dave.

Dave,

Thanks for the info. So I pulled both needles out, based off ST's web site, the needle next to the throttle cable is the idle needle. This needle looked like it was machined cut flat at the end. The needle on the other side, high throttle one based off ST's web site, looked more like a needle point. But the problem was it was kind of bent and flatten at the end. Does this mean I need to buy a new one?
Thanks again
Philip

Philip,

I have one of these engines and it is a great running motor. When I get home I'll post a picture of my high speed needle for comparision. In general, if the needle valve is bent you'll need a new one. I would also look for more damage in the carb. Needle valves don't just bend themselves...

Sounds like the needles were cranked, or forced in too
far, and the main needle got bent.

Yes....it the big needle is bent, and flattened....it's not
in good shape. Lay it down on a piece of cloth, and with
a small screwdriver handle....push on it, and straighten it
back out. This will prevent you from over-bending it, and
breaking it. Then take a small mill-file, and file it down
around the flat spots to get it round again. Then take
some really fine emery paper to it and dress it up nice.

You can probably get it back into serviceable shape if
your careful. The surface of the needle doesn't have to
be perfect....but it has to be pretty darned straight to
work right. A new needle might be hard to find, so give
it a try.

Dave.

Thanks for the great advise. So would me taking the carb apart for a deeper cleaning and inspection be a good idea or a BAD idea?

Philip

I would try to doctor it up first....if you get a broken
or stripped screw....you're done.

I don't know about now....but back in the old Days,
all S.T. main needles were the same.

Dave.

Good news, I set the small and large needles as said, and also repaired the one bent one, and she fired up. Ran into two more problems though. First it seems like the fuel wants to go backwards down the fuel line. This might be because I only have about 1/2oz of fuel left. I need to make a run down to the LHS and buy some sort of hand fuel pump, because I was using my friends fuel and pump.

Second problem, it seemed like the high speed needle was backing off when the motor was running. The other needle valve can't do this do to some sort of locking clips. Is my motor missing something? Maybe some teflon tape on the threads?

Thanks
Philip

Here is a picture os mine and you can see the locking clip that prevents the HS needle from turning...

A picture is worth a thousand words, thanks.
My motor also looks different, in that my motor has a round head. And the needle valve looks different also, mine does not have the thumb screw, but a "T" at the end. Is there a way I can make this work, or do I need to find a replacement?
Thanks
Philip

I think this oldie is the one you have. After you get
the needle set....snug-down that "nut-collar" to secure
the needle, so it won't turn.

Dave.

Dave,
that's it, so how ancient is this motor? Locking down on the nut fixed the problem, thanks
Since this motor is so old is it worth playing around with? Kind of like our cars, by the way that is a nice car you got in your photo. I have a 1947 Dodge coupe, there is no way I would even want to drive this on a every day basis. So I have a slightly newer car for every day driving maybe I should get a newer motor?
Philip

That motor is 25 years old and still runs like a
top. It's been Idle for awhile as you can see....I
gotta clean it up and run the poor thing.

The thing is....if your motor has good compression
after you ran it for awhile....it'll probably give alot
more service. Tighten up all the screws, clean it up
real good, and enjoy the ol' motor.

.....if your muffler looks like this....it's about
a 1975-76 Vintage. Darn good running motor,
but cobby looking compaired to the O.S., and
the K&B's.....

Dave.

That is the way my muffler looks, I have a clasic here. Maybe I should put her in a glass box and frame it Nah, if she runs I'm going to fly her, unless you think she may be worth some money?
Philip

They were good engines...ran perfect...they were about
the first carbs that had the double needle set up.
O.S. had just come out with the 7B carb in the FSR's
but everyone else had single needle stuff with airbleeds
and rotating disks and stuff, like the K&B's and the
Perry carb ones.

The S.T.'s were big in control line contest stuff, at the
time....but weren't big sellers in R/C mainly because
they were UGLY !!! I bought this engine, and
a .61 S.T. at the original Hobby Shack in Fountain
Valley, Cal. for $34.95 each. I ran the .61 for almost 25
years in a Rebel Biplane, and it still runs perfect.

My friend has it now, and still flies it ! I'll clean the
little one after while....gotta get some yard work done
today....and I'll post another pic.

Dave.

....got it washed off at least, except for the baked-
on stuff. Last time I had this plane out....we got
caught in some high winds, and blowing dirt. Threw
everything in, and went home. I had forgotten to
clean up my "little thrasher plane".

We'll find out next time if it "forgave me". LOL

Dave.

If anyone is interested, I have a Supertigre 29 carb that you can have for $5 shipped. It is in good shape, the 2 screws on the side are missing, and the needle valve has been shortened and the head from a 3 mm allen head screw has been brazed on (I used it on a heli and the needle valve hit the header tank). I know that both high and low speed needles and their seats are in excellent shape.

Alan Angus