comanche260c

anyone know what is a good engine to put in byron p51 im thinking of taken out reduction drive and going direct drive? 3w75 maybe?

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

How much does your P-51 weigh? I'm flying mine with a Zenoah G62 and 2 blade Mejzlik 22x10, my P-51 weighs in at 29 lbs. If you want turn a 4 blade prop directly then maybe 3W75 is a good choice. I have 3W75 in another plane with a 24x10 mejzlik and it has signficantly more power than the G62. Not sure how the 3W75 will do with a 4 blade.

comanche260c

not sureim guessing around 25 lbs i am wondering how the g62 fit in the plane.... im also looking at a 3w55 not sure if the 3w 75 will fit Please tell me how the 62 fit and was it hard to do? did you build a box out from the firewall so the motor can be moved forward and how was balance with the 62

comanche260c

forgot to ask doyou have the byron p51 thats converted to directdrive

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

I used a purr power muffler designed for the G62 in mine. It used the old Byron mounting scheme but I added a firewall for the G62 mounting. I didn't like relying on the Byron mounting scheme by itself. You should be able to fit a G62 with a wrap around style muffler without any problem. You will need a new fire wall to mount the G62 or any other engine. At 25 lbs the G62 will be plenty of power for the mustang. A 3W75 (2 blade prop) would be a little bit of overkill unless you like extremely fast warbirds. I had to add nose weight (2 lbs) to mine but I have my elevator servos in the back and most of my radio gear is more aft than usual because I have a full cockpit and pilot. You may find that with a G-62 up front you will balance okay.

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

I went with a direct drive 2 blade prop for mine. As others have said the 4 blade gives you the wow factor but flight performance is lacking. And if you do ding up your blades you are out of luck. I don't think Iron Bay has them anymore.

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

Here's a few pics to show how well the G62 fits. Unfortunately the carb sticks out a bit on the right side and just a piece of the purr power muffler on the left. I think with a wrap around muffler and engine slightly rotated the muffler can be completely hidden.

comanche260c

what do you mean by the old byron mounting sceme? I take it you left the old firewall and made a box type coming out to move engine forward or what? im wondering if they make motor mounts that long to push motor forward, or do i make one from wood?

comanche260c

plane  looks  great   how  did you cover old  hole  where motor  use to stick out?

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

The old Byron mounting scheme (at least for the purr power muffler) had two U shaped bulkheads that allowed you to clamp the muffler/engine assembly to. I think the reduction drive is a little different and reduction drive/engine assembly is mounted to the bulkhead (the one just in front of the wing) and a sub bulkhead up front.

What you need to do is add a completely new firewall (1/2" thick aircraft ply) and glass it into the fiberglass fuselage. It will be quite bit further up front than the existing bulkhead (the one just in front of the wing). A buddy of mine, Fred Menna a.k.a. check6 has done a few of these in the past. With a new firewall you can then use a cup mount (Bennett or similar) to mount the G62.

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

I acquired mine in kit form so it never had the cut out for the engine.

comanche260c

Yes there is  a u type  bulkhead that is  a  upside dowu   glued to the fusalage  like  5  1/2 inches   behind  the  nose cone. so you are saying you   just added a bulkhead there  and  glued it to the cowl that already   has  reinforcement going horizontal  and the upside down u bulkhead. If i understand you  have no other   square box that you built going from the original bulkhead forward to the rear of the new engine?? If i understand you correctly you didnt do that but just added a bulkhead   near front  and  glued to the cowling??????

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

Right. I did not build a square box extended from the wing bulkhead. As far as how far back from the spinner the new firewall needs to be, you will need to come up with that distance based on the length of the G62 plus cup mount, 5 1/2 inches sounds a little short. I can't say what that dimension is without removing my cowl. I'm not sure what you mean by glued to the cowling? You shouldn't need to glass the new firewall to the cowling just glass it to the fuselage proper. The cowl still needs to be removal for access.

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

Just thinking about this you may want to add more than just a new firewall since you'll have a pretty big engine cut out hole on one side of the fuselage. That's going to be a weak spot for sure. I'm guessing you will glass the hole over? You could add plywood sides that pickup the new firewall and the existing wing bulkhead inside the fuselage. That would give you a lot more strength.

comanche260c

when i say glue to cowling i mean glue the new firewall to the existing upside down forward U bulkhead if its far enough back from front of plane to mount the motor and also glue that new fire wall to thetop NOSEFUSALAGE

comanche260c

yeah i like that idea  better   much stronger

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

Another note. The fiberglass is a polyester resin so be careful what you use as a glue. Not all glues will stick well. I've used Hysol epoxy and that works well. Expensive but it does adhere. Or you can glass the plywood to the fiberglass with resin. Also, make sure you clean and lightly sand/scuff up the glass well.

Lightspeed1551

My Feedback: (4)

My suggestion engine wise would be the OS GT 55. It is far lighter then the Zenoah 62 and it has a 30pound thrust rating. I personally witness it with a digital fish scale running a 22x8 prop. Plus the engine is cowl and scale friendly with its "glow like" front carb. 

airega1

My Feedback: (204)

Hey Comanche, a G-62 with a 22X10 mejzlik will give you more power than you'll ever need, listen to ccostant, I had that same combination in an 88" Cap 232 that was heavy and that powerplant dragged it around like no tomorrow

kingair70

My Feedback: (156)

Q-50 and G-62 installation.

comanche260c

Thanks king air you know where i can get this conversion

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

You can try Iron Bay Models but don't hold your breath. They're not focused on the model business at this time and may not have these parts any longer.

http://www.ironbaymodelcompany.com/

Check6

My Feedback: (427)

Hello Comanche 260,
This is an easy fix. You don't need the Byron mount setup. I have done numerous conversion like this. I epoxy in a new firewall adjusting the depth to fit the engine mount setup. If you have a problem I will do it for you. I put in a 1/2 plywood firewall glassed and reinforced in the new position using the proper adhesive. I'm in Rhode Island, I notice you are in NY, probably not too far from me. Let me know . Any questions give me a call 401 934 0921.
Thanks,
Fred Menna Check6

comanche260c

check can you call me 631 445 1972 ED

Nordicz

My Feedback: (7)

Comanche,

I aquired a Byron early last year and converted to a direct drive. It has an early DLE 50 in it and does extremely well in the air. My buddies Top FLight with a G45 will out run it but not by much. We essentially built a second firewall forward of the original and it is braced with Basewood blocks, a broom handle & Ply in the center point . I have enclose some pics for you. Please laugh at my expense the broom handle came with the plane. Ended up being a very sturdy brace I inherited. As a testimate to the bracing and forward firewall the pics taken are 2 days after an deadstick that had the plane go nose first into a culvert. Nose foward there is no damage and not a loose joint. Ripped the gear out but that was the worst. In short I have no reservations in moving a second firewall forward and adequately bracing it.

Z