Hey rc universe. i was wondering if there is some hidden art to mounting an engine, if there is can you help by filling me in on this technique

Hi!
There isn't!

Depends on the type engine mount you're using. For the typical glass filled nylon engine mounts in use today, I like to get the engine set where I want it and use small C-Clamps to hold it in place, I then use a spare pushrod, heat it up with a soldering torch, and then use the rod to melt into the nylon to mark where the bolts go through. Take the engine off, drill the holes, and then bolt it on.

Brad

I'll get the engine where I want it on the engine mount, then clamp it in place. I use one of these to mark where to holes should go. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXK378&P=ML . Drill the holes where the marks are and I'm done.
Paul

I like to place two dots of CA glue on the mount, find my drill centers with a Great Planes dead center locator, break the engine loose from the mount and drill my holes. Works on aluminum or plastic fiber filled mounts.

Bill

There is very good information available in these Harry Higley books:

"All About Engines" - from Tower Hobbies or Higley.

"Getting Airbone Volume 2" - www.abebooks.com

"Model Building is Mostly Mounting" - sadly hard to find.

> Hi! There isn't! <

What a strange statement. No one is born knowing how to mount engines. That is why some good information has been published, especially by the Higley family.

Oh yes there is my Sweet Sweed.[sm=75_75.gif]

Bill

I'll second Ram Jet's technique of glueing it in place with CA and using the Great Planes tool to mark the hole centers.
I also like to do the drilling on a drill press, held in my two-axis vice. That keeps the holes vertical.

The Great Planes centering tool is another of the must have tools as it makes getting your holes correct on just about anything that needs to have holes drilled. I use it for all my motor mounts and just the other day I used it for my retract mounts. Make sure that you have the correct mount for your engine. To mount the mount to the firewall, get all your centering lines drawn. Keep in mind that on some models the centering line may not be on center as the mount is being mounted offset for right thrust. Place your mount where it needs to be and as suggested you can use a couple of drops of CA to get it to stay in place. Get your centering tool out and mark your holes on the firewall. Remove your mount and drill your holes in the firewall. Mount your mount on the firewall using the proper screws and blind nuts. The engine is usually mounted based upon a measurement from the firewall to the prop nut so that it will fit into a cowl. This measurement can be gotten from your plans. If the engine does not have a measurement, just make sure that the prop nut is clear of the fuselage and once again you can CA the engine to the mount. Once again, use the centering tool to mark your holes. Pop the engine of the mount and drill your holes depending on what screws that you are using. I ususally drill and tap my holes, however some of the mounts come with a machine screw that requires a certain size hole to be drilled. Hope this all helps and good luck, Dave

I left the drill press out because I just bought one in December after wanting one for about 20 years. I will use a drill press also but not everyone has one.

Bill

Here's something to think about BEFORE marking your engine mounts... a friend taught me to hold the engine on with rubber bands, then balance the model. This way, you could slide the engine back and forth a bit to help balance your model (providing that it didn't need to be in a specific spot to mate with a cowl, etc.).

Just a suggestion,

Bob

Just messing with you, this is real old school beam mounting.