RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Old Fart I have yet to try ouit the Klotz oil recommended by Saito for the gas engines, I have some and will be trying it in the FG20 that is to power the Storch that goes together when we settle after the move. You'll like that Heli oil it is really good stuff and has a wide use spectrum. The Coota Cup (read the O/T Nationals ) in on in October at Cootamundra NSW if you can make it, should be a good do.
Posted on: 5/17/2013 5:28 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11514702

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Couple of things, The first is the Shorts a/c I was talking about, it was a Belfast not a Hastings (got mixed up I am chasing a wreck of a Hastings at the WRE in Sout Australia. (The source of many Mustangs possibly Sea Swifts and numerous other obsure a/c. re starting Saitos, I always use an electric starter on them after carefully pulling tem through a couple of compression strokes. The only varient to this technique is the size of the starter. Results speak for themselves, less frustration starting the engine, and no damaged body parts. Lastly I have yet to come across a "low compression" Saito of any size, and all my engines since the late 80's have come in Black and Gold boxes , only the colour of the rocker covers and cylinders are different. Old Fart do you remember back when Allan Moffat took and XY GTHO to Daytona and the Yanks laughed him off the track. That was until he blew away the Plymouth Roadrunners and then they banned him It seems as if they couldn't stand they idea of our "improved production" saloons beating there NASCAR devices. For the unknowing, an Improced Production Sedan was essentially a standard production car, thatr had a roll cage installed, better oils in the engine, drive train and brakle system a reworked exhaust and a blue printed engine with some internal mods. They were very fast cars and with current tyre technology are the equal of the V* super cars running today. Last needle, we have Aussies competing successfully in the US but none of the Yanks who have come here have yet to conquer the Mountain. End of lecture.
Posted on: 5/17/2013 5:25 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11514698

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
00wt Sheel oil was this creamy yellow cover and after we topped up the test truck oil tank we had to scrap out the remainder. When we tested the engines or oil regulators and such, we had a heater on the bench (or truck) that heated up the oil before we started the test. I burnt out a few starters on my Ford before I realised what was going on and changed to a Holden (Chev) they had stronger starters. In my Saitos I use that you beaut Klotz heli oil is great and in aviations is "an ashless disperant" type oil (= no crap like carbon etc in the exhaust)
Posted on: 5/16/2013 5:38 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11513682

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Hobbsy, on clearences, yes you are right and believe me the oil we used (100W was standard) was heavy when cold, I found out the hard way you couldn't use it in your freiendly Ford in cold weather particulary But to the point, how many people do you think have heard any round Pratt engine fire up from cold on a winters morning, all that initial banging was the loose fitting "everything" going round in an attempt to fire up but when they did boy did they work.
Posted on: 5/16/2013 4:47 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11513626

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
As I get older I remember and look back fondly on my time in 1:1 Aviation and even though I am now on the edges and not "full time" I can take the time to appreciate what I have seen and been a part of. Every day I go into town I pass the GA side of the a/port and see a Shorts Hastings (do you know what that is), the only one left flyable in the world and a DC3 side by side and then a little further away the Kingairs, Pilatius's etc that are the modern era, and when I go to my shed I handle the old Enys and ETAs and EDs which are beside my Saitos YS's and others and once again marvel at how far we have become. The move back to Brisbane terrifies me to some extent. The worst part is my olf flying mate (who I am going to be spending a lot more time with) has got his 2 new mobility scooters. I is a replica Royal Enfield (out of India) and a Triumph Commando (not Norton) the road going version of the one he used to race. The enfield has a side car and he is going to expect me to ride with him. Scary thought cause he rides throttle wide open. Such is life Lastly heaven is an aircraft with a round engine and its bum on the ground.
Posted on: 5/16/2013 4:43 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11513621

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Hobbsy, I have a lot of reviews (in book form) from the old RCM mag and I am picking up on all that sort of data. My old OS and Saito books talk about on one hand the benefits of castor verses "the new oils" and as time progresses the same author has a complete reversal of opinion for various means such as you suggested. The Saito cylinder is as near a copy of the standard P&W cylinder design (1340 and 1830 in particular) as you could get. When I was involved in rebuilds of those as an apprentice I learnt a bit about oils and run in procedures and extending life etc. I have run the gamit of using new thin oils so salvaging oil from dumped engines to keep going. The one thing I have learnt is that if you listen really carefully the engine will tell you what is happening and you ignore the signs at your peril. And when it comes to fuel, oil, glo plugs and props you will get one more opinion than there are people in the room, and usually only one is really rigjht and that is me (sic) (said tongue in cheek) . But all this conversation makes for interesting reading doesn't it
Posted on: 5/16/2013 3:54 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11513577

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Old fart did you note that I said I up the oil content with a lower viscosity oil, this reduces the drag co efficient of the increased oil percentage. It is all a balancing act really and for all practical purpose I use the you beaut heli oil put out by Knlotz (used in 30$ Powermaster) and vary the nitro content according to what performance. Both my old flying mate and I don't keep much "go juice" around preferring to mix either on the day or day before what we expect to use for a days flying, putting te residual aside for another day, use as weed killer or just running engines. This move is really showing up my hoarding habits. I have just filled another 50 Litre storage box with Dubro style hardware. I have 8 of those boxes full of boxed engines with a few more to pack and I have found at least 10 unfinished projects (Engines and a/frames) that will travel south. Shed is a mess but we are getting there
Posted on: 5/16/2013 3:07 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11513545

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Dessicant pack in with the engine drowned with ARO will be interesting, I have found APC props generally turn faster than MAS etc. Don't use wooden props they break easy and don't give fly wheel effect when needed. Compression build up after run in normal, is desired situation. Why don't you run Saito plugs??
Posted on: 5/15/2013 10:03 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512844

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
To add a small thing here. As you all probably I am a competition freek, I like to extract the most from my engines. I use synthetic oils because they are the most suitable for my applications. Cost doesn't enter into the equation.. I use high performance synthetic oils in my model engines the same as I use similar type in my racing care engines. The point I would like to make here is that what ever the "lubricant" I usually use 20% oil nitro to be negotiated (depending on the use intended for the engine) and I do not run the engine on te screaming side of lean. Most of then "lubrication problems I have come across have been from lean runs with standard oil levels (20$ or less). If I am going to the extreme I invest in the high viscosity synthetic oils and up the oil content to approx 25%. Its all about the oil that actually gets to the bearings etc and then stays ther after the days flying. Please consider these points in your on going discussins
Posted on: 5/15/2013 5:52 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512637

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Hey old Fart, good luck with the sparkie. I still haven't worked up the gts to get my 2 going yet (a FG20 and a FG36). They are destined to a couple of projects an Austats Storch and the Swordfish. If you live near hin contact Paul Baartz re the spark ignition thing us Old Timers have a wealth of knowledge (and sore heads from brick walls) in this area and I am sure that if he doesn't know he can / will point you in the right direction With the new format for the the Nationals, it would appear as if (fingers crossed) our O/T Nationals might be at Canowindra at Easter (so the rumour goes). So we now have to consider a new plot / campaign centred around a Saito 65, and a 56 with maybe a 30 trown in. Model kits are being dusted off and the Ys is getting another look. But the best part about this is the Stinson project (Saito 115 in a SR7) is going to get some work and an airing. Could never complete in Scale because it conflicted with the O/T events but now well look out world in 2013. Maybe we might see you over this side for some of the comps??
Posted on: 9/12/2012 5:32 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11226652

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Old Fart, I am currently building a Sig Cadet (the big one, 3 channel thingy) to give my mate here in FNQ some flying time (once he learns the basics) and also for me to get current again (on 4 + channel) with the new wing we are building. It will be same W/s and have flaps and ailerons. Bit of butchery (and lots of preformed t/e section) Bu what I am getting to is that this machine has a number of different Saito mount points on the firewall. Purpose is to get air time on new engines during the break in period. We currently have the following ready to get out of the box for various projects that are either under way or in the pipe line. The engines include, a 56, a 62, a 82, a 115, an FG 20 and FG36. Project has slowed due to the engineering required to beef up the firewall and surrounds to handle the varying power ranges. I have / will be putting in a box to hold ballast to compensate for the upper levels of power we are putting in to the beast, but I reckon it will prove to be somewhat interesting to see the flight charastics with the bigger engines. Fortunately the field it will operate out of has a very long run way. The Mew gull my Brisbane mate / mentor is playing with is grossly overpowered with the 20 gasser but the owner wants to put a 36 Saito in it or a 200 x 4 stroke. All interesting. I am looking forward to hearing how the 57 goes Good luck with it Catch ya
Posted on: 8/24/2012 11:49 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11205211

RE: [Deleted]
Yes, I assume that is what you have that big Saito in, yes or no?? Have you seen any one flying the Austar Swodfish over your way. I gather there is one flying in the west. We have one flying sort of here on the east coast (at Calvert Field) and the initial constructors have done just about everything wrong that can be done to it. Re inventing the wheel when the build blog solved every problem that arose. What has that to do with Saitos, well I have said kit and am going to follow the poms and use a FG36 instead of the 55 gas engines (aka lead bricks) that most people are using elsewhere. So before I embark on the kit assembly I was wondering what experience others have had with the engine in this sort of application
Posted on: 8/22/2012 4:44 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11202606

RE: [Deleted]
Was that a Seagull ARTF. If so my mate is playing with one with a 20 petrol engine in same. What size prop are you using??
Posted on: 8/21/2012 5:56 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11201461

RE: [Deleted]
A good morning here in FNQ that has just got better. 2 x Beavers (DH type) float planes flying the circuit with a P3 and a C130. The sound of road engines plus the roar of the Allison 501 / what ever the military version is great to wake up enough to inspire one to go committ aviation. Been a bit difficult as the temperature has dropped to 12 degrees centigrade o/nite lately.
Posted on: 8/13/2012 3:26 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11192102

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
We use coolpower here in Oz in vintagents and no one complains, me I haven't had any probs, likewise both SIG and Byron fuels which I used in Malaysia and the various clones (factory mix) here in OZ. Correct viscosity for the application is more important than brand names me thinks and now back to the castor press for some oil for the diesels
Posted on: 8/8/2012 6:51 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11186297

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Here in FNQ and also in Malaysia I have found that water in the fuel and left behind in the engine combined with residue methanol are the prime causes of corrosion no matter what oil you use. We used to get so much moisture (water) in fuel (if the container was left open to the elements) that it would form cellulose like strings and block the needle valve. I once did an experiment and placed 500cc's of 20% nitro fuel in an open container on the hanger floor, humidity 100% (you could see it in the air, it was at night), after 1 hour the weight of the fuel had increased 10%, all of which was confirmed as water by subjecting the mixture to the freeze test. My solution up here is to run the engines dry at the end of the day, used closed loop fueling systems during the summer on the coast, sore engines with a bit of pure oil or ARO (usually ATF, MIL spec 5056) and block all entry points such as carby and exhaust, this is also done at the end of the day. And oh yes have a spare set of bearings available for each type engine that I have (not as many as you might think). Finally Hobby King have an interesting bearing removal tool that my old mentor is testing for me as I write this for those who are interested, more later
Posted on: 8/8/2012 3:47 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11186077

RE: Lanzo Old Timer ARF is it the end of the world?
Re oldtimers and electric power. My mate just installed an electric thingy in a dog tired Playboy and was NOT impressed with the results. We were just "testing" an electric thingy on the w/end and I found out how cute it is to see those white distress signals the electric thingies send out as they are about to fail. ARF's are almost acceptable (depending on the circumstances) but electric thingies are definitely not, no matter what argument you might offer. O/T = I/C
Posted on: 8/6/2012 7:02 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11183571

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
AS an aside on the gas thing, so Saito has bought out the FG 21 (and "lost the FG 20) I read a lot about the failings of the FG20 but have yet to see one fail personally. True they had carby problems here in OZ and yes it would appear as if most of the problems come from our typically male failing of not reading the instructions correctly (fully / competely) and thus coming to grief. I have seen a cylinder blow of a Saito twin because the carby to that cylinder was leaned out far to much, (thus done by the field Saito expert), and I have seen in my field of competition to many people trying to extract that last ounce of performance out of the engine buy far exceeding the manufacturers recommendations. The later is good because I usually end up with cheap engines. The message I am trying to convey here is, if in doubt ask, read and absorb all the data to hand for your new toy and apply it plus any experience you have to achieving the desired result and lastly if in doubt ask and ask again until you get the desired info Keep up the good work here guys both my old mentor and myself learn something new every day.
Posted on: 7/31/2012 3:54 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11176400

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Sharpeye 22 I concur completely. My mate (a new entrant to the hobby and an O/timer) acquired an OS 20 FS through me that operated beautifully. Was put away and started 3 months later, wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding, felt ok worked sort off ok on test bench but wouldn't get model off the ground. In desperation I took the back cover off and heaps of fuel soaked rust fell out BUT it still turned over ok and I guess what we "assumed" was "compression" was really the rust inhibiting the engines ops. After cutting the con rod to dissassemble the beast and carrying out a bearing replacement program etc it now works as well as it should and terrorising the owner in the process. (Fitted to a 25" w/s wonder thing.
Posted on: 7/19/2012 5:19 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161745

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Airflow in and out is the key don't baffle any more than you have to
Posted on: 7/18/2012 9:48 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11160687

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Sharp eye22, I had meant to include a throttle travel check, I have had problems with throttles and flex lines (wire) operating the the throttle arm, on the YS I had heaps of trouble in a Feathermerchant until I found it was springing open once pulled shut and let go. With the throttle thing, I have in the past used servo arms and that u beaut Dubro stand off throttle device, works a treat Good that you found the fix, another one I have found (not applicable to Saitos though) is that Irvine carbies work a treat on Webra Blackheads where the carby won't shut off, direct substitution, but that is another story.
Posted on: 7/18/2012 9:18 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11160675

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Check the throttle control run both at servo and engine, could be fuel pick up twisted, (I always use rigid line) and as discussed here cooling of the engine. Try it with the glo driver connected while tesing it through the range. BTB the 72 might have benefitted from an increase in nitro, simple fix to add a bit more grunt
Posted on: 7/17/2012 5:18 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11159239

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Nitro = cool before it burns / detonates then = heat Cool in model engines also associated with oil type and quantity
Posted on: 7/17/2012 4:13 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11159141

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Good quality cutting wheels will do the job. I find that the ones I use for cutting tungsten and tittainium (I think that is correct spelling) are ok. I got all mine for free (enough that should have lasted a life time but haven't ). Expensive but good alternative. If grinding I use high speed fine quality cutting tool grinding wheels. maybe over the top but end result is beyond reproach.
Posted on: 7/16/2012 2:40 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11157692

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Starters help preserve fingers and hands
Posted on: 7/11/2012 7:19 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11152016

RE: Lanzo Old Timer ARF is it the end of the world?
El*c*ric motors in O/Timer a/c heresy, even more so that ic ARF's
Posted on: 7/11/2012 4:55 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11151868

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Basically I follow the same procedure, works well and simple
Posted on: 7/11/2012 4:09 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11151819

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Trick developed from my time with round engines. Offset the inverted engine so the exhaust valve is at the lowest point (thus allowing excess fuel to puddle around the closed valve) pul the engine through one complete cycle (no glo driver connected or activated) and guess what no hydro locking. Doesn't work on normal diesels though, but does work at treat on my Enya 4C diesel (you know the one Enya made a few years ago)
Posted on: 7/11/2012 3:34 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11151786

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
When running any Saito the factory recommends WOT with rpm being adjusted by the HS needle controlling the richness of the mixture, at SAM 84 we follow this procedure and have no trouble at all. Additionally once the first couple of tanks (about 20oz total) are trough the engine I try to do the rest of the running in in the air using a model like a "floater" type trainer. Round and around boring but beneficial to the engine as as Gen said the engine will tell you when it is run in some take longer than others but done gently they last a long time and the process is well worth the end result. Re modern youth, my accountant son has realised that "doing stuff" like oil changes, brake pads etc saves money. only problem is that he shares my old workshop with his tin brother. And now they can't agree on which way to go (rally or oval) with the 240Z they are restoring to race, but I guess one will survive and direct the operation
Posted on: 7/5/2012 3:54 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11144457

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Query again, I have a need for some more 65's (don't like swapping engines between planes that I am flying. Any body have any they don't want??? Or am I dreaming I have 2 and have a requirement for at least 3 more
Posted on: 7/3/2012 4:19 PM by Author "FNQFLYER" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11141821