alright i have a os 46fx turning a 11x6 prop with a mid range os glow plug along with 15% nitro . is it nor,al for the engine head to start to turn like a darker color as if it is overheating it still has power as new and it is only a few months old is this normal or is it running hot. i have it running on the rich side where i see alittle smoke out of the exhaust and it is blowing alittle fuel out any input on if this is normal let me know thanks mike

Most likely the discoloration is from the fuel that is blowing back out of the carb & burning on the head & cyl. fins. Normal ? I can't say , some engines do it & some don't. Don't sweat it , thats why they put them in a crock pot when they get full of crap. MAX H.

Are you using fuel with castor or synthetic lube in it. I've seen the castor oil bake on but have not had that problem with the synthetic,,,, yet.

How'd your landing gear change go on your Super Sportster go? I still haven't assembled mine yet, but I looked at it real hard last night....

Based on your posting, I have to ask you what method are you using to tune your engine and confirm it is being run slightly rich?

Andy

the gear went fine took me about three hours to get it all put on did not change the c.g. any i like it alot better on the fuse then the wings. as far as what im using to tune the engine i broke it in per the instructions and as far as it running rich and what im using to tell maybe im wrong but i run the needle valve to its proper setting then listen to the change in rpm where it drops then back off 1/4 turn, then i have alittle smoke coming out of exhaust, and more excess fuel on the plane then normal. i was just trying to find out why the engine was getting so much discoloration.

Army,
Your response has me a little confused. What does "its proper setting mean and what do you mean by backng off 1/4 turn?
Easy way to tune the high end needle valve for this engine is to start with the needle valve about 2 turns from fully closed. Start engine and go to full throttle after you remove the glow plug. The engine will not be running extremely rish. Slowly (while engine is at full throttle) rotate the high speed needle valve clock wise while listening to the engine speed up. The point at which engine speed is at its maximum and further leaning of mixture (clockwise rotation) is called max lean rpm. This is not an optimum setting. Once your engine is at max lean rpm, you should now richen engine by about 3 clicks counterclockwise on the needle valve. Verify that engine rpm dropped about 400 rpm by briefly pinching and releasing the fuel line to the carb after you make the 3-4 click rich adjustment on the needle. If engine speeds up 300-400 rpm you are correctly dialed in. If it sped up only a little, richen another click or two on the needle valve and repeat pinch test. Of course, if when you pinch, engine dies or doesn't speed up at all, this means you are way too lean and need to immediately richen mixture. The optimum mixture setting is about 300-400 rpm on the rich side of max lean rpm.

Good luck and hope this helps.

PS You stationed or work at Fort Useless or are you a Army wannabe (Navy) squid?

I tune mine by the pinch test and listen test backed up by a tach. I'll get it sloppy rich at full throttle and close the needle till I get max rpm by ear then open the needle till I hear a drop in rpm. Then I pinch and release the fuel feed line and listen for a rise in rpm, done. If the rpm drops it's too lean. I'll usually back this up with a tach at least once per flight day so I don't screw it up too bad. It smokes just a little.

Are you using synthetic or castor based lubes in your fuel? I think your discoloration may be related. A friend had an OS FS52 mounted inverted that he ran only castor through and the head and exhaust got really nasty looking. Hard to get off too. I know, it's now MY engine! I've been running synthetic Byron's or Morgan's Cool Power through my engines and have no discoloration to date...

Any long term problems to look for on my SS'er?? I'm gonna do the landing gear thing before it's first flight with a Sullivan tail wheel assembly. My engine choice is either going to be my 50SX or one of my 46FX's. The FS52 is just too nasty looking. It needs to be in a cowl. Hmmm, I need another plane. Cool!

homebrewer, I do pretty much what you have explained up above except for the pinch test, im at fort eustis and on the boats so yeah i guess you could say a wannabe squid. the supersportster had no bad habits check the wing for being warped thaey had a bad run of wing kits, took three times to get a good wing. I used the recommended throw rates and it responds great take off is easy off the ground in no time with the 46fx. i would mount the gear on then fuse for sure, and put some markings on the bottom to tell the what the plane is doing at a distance well thanks everyone for your help. mike

oh yeah im using the 15% with castor oil in it