I have had my 65LA for over a year now. Admitidally I haven't used it a great deal but I still have problems getting it started.

Once it is finally going, it now seems to run OK, and will restart once it's warmed up.

I have two other LA's, a 15 and a 25. They both ran great out of the box.

So, I have a couple of questions:

What construction is this engine? I presume non ABC, non ringed?

Does it take longer to break in than other engines?

Does anyone else have experiences with this engine? Do you think it is better / worse than other LA's?

A buddy and I have one in a Skyraider built from the old Global plans. It's his engine, but over at my house in the plane. I had gotten nothing but good service from the engine. I choke it 3 or 4 times, flip until it squishes, hook up the battery and it usually starts in 1 backwards flip. I think I have a 12-6 on it.

If it has been sitting for a few weeks, the plain crankshaft bearing can get gummy, making it hard to start, or even turn over. You need to choke several times and flip until it pops and flips over freely. Most guys don't want to mess with this and just throw a starter up against it. I pride myself in flip starting most 2-cycle engines (except the OS .91FX) and there are little differences in each engine that must be learned. This one seems to want to be loosened up so the prop bounces back and forth when flipped.

"Mine" also needs to be set quite rich initially for take off. It leans out after 1 turn and 1 maneuver. I think it is probably air flow in the cowl or low pressure in the tank. You just set it for a fast 4-cycle and in 30 seconds or so into the flight it leans out and runs this way the rest of the flight. Set it lean for take off and it overheats. Since I don't fly the plane very ofter, I have taken the attitude of "if it's working, don't mess with it."

I find that mine is a little hard to turn over at first, the starter can't cope with it until it's loosened up. I find that if I prime it and get it loosened up then it's too wet to start and I have to flush the fuel out by removing the plug and spinning it.

I've put a Zinger 12x6 on mine, it's the size OS recommend for break in.

The last time I tried to start it, I must've spent a half hour or so on it with no success. I gave up and went for a coffee. When I came back it started first time! Talk about tempermental...

As far as mixture is concerned, I just checked it and the needle is open about 2 1/4 turns. I haven't noticed any behaviour changes during flight like you mention, but then I'm only plodding around with a trainer at less than 1/2 throttle.

Lastly, what is meant by backwards flipping? I heard this on here a few times, mostly in connection to 4 strokes...maybe the engine will respond to that.....

Has somebody tach readings from the 65LA?

Thanks,
Vincent

Don't have exact figures, but I think mine runs at something over 12000 with a 12x6 wood Zinger...