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Thanks for forwarding this Mike, good stuff!
Pete, as you know, the arguments for and against the 115 and 125 are plentiful. Just thought I'd find out for myself how a well run in 115 and 125 compare for real. Both will have been thoroughly cleaned, de-carboned and new bearings, cams and tappets installed just to keep things on the up and up. Both will be run on the same day with the same props, glow plug and fuel. I'll try and make sure I hold my head the same position during testing too.
I don't expect to see much difference on the top end swinging smaller props but the 125 should do much better swinging bigger lumber.
Stay safe my friend, things are getting weird here.
Pete, as you know, the arguments for and against the 115 and 125 are plentiful. Just thought I'd find out for myself how a well run in 115 and 125 compare for real. Both will have been thoroughly cleaned, de-carboned and new bearings, cams and tappets installed just to keep things on the up and up. Both will be run on the same day with the same props, glow plug and fuel. I'll try and make sure I hold my head the same position during testing too.
I don't expect to see much difference on the top end swinging smaller props but the 125 should do much better swinging bigger lumber.
Stay safe my friend, things are getting weird here.
Did you replace the cam in the 125 I just sent?
Thanks for the pic. Yes, that is a bad one.
Do I owe you ?
Looks like it had been run very loose at some time, that wasn't an oil issue!
Saito cams are not the strongest part. They are made from sintered powdered metal . Not solid.
How did you like the muffler?
Do I owe you ?
Looks like it had been run very loose at some time, that wasn't an oil issue!
Saito cams are not the strongest part. They are made from sintered powdered metal . Not solid.
How did you like the muffler?
Last edited by Jesse Open; 04-14-2020 at 01:58 PM.
Heck no, you don't owe me a thing. If anything I have some some catching up to do in the favor arena. It's going to be a real looker when it comes out of the crock!
Thinking about my 115/125 showdown coming up and trying to keep things fair, what would it cost to get that factory tail piece from you?
Thinking about my 115/125 showdown coming up and trying to keep things fair, what would it cost to get that factory tail piece from you?
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Norwalk,
OH
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Jesse you want to part with the 125 carb send me a pm I’ll take it. You guys have the virus up there pretty bad I hope things get better.
My Feedback: (6)
I think both of you running a 1.15 and 1.25 but with different props to be of great interest. I will warn you Pete is watching with interest too.
Mike
Mike
One of these days I need to get my P-51 out of the trailer and get that engine running. Couldn't get it started last time out, but when it ran, it ran great, Really rips the prop on a low pass.
WANTED: FA125 Stock Muffler.
Anyone have an FA125 stock muffler they can let me borrow or buy? It's that weird 13mm threading size and won't fit anything except a 125. I need one to run my 115/125 performance comparison test.
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Crewdog (04-19-2020)
Those 13 mm threads are popular on YS. That is what those two mufflers I sent Dave will fit. I figured now that Dave has a lathe, he may make up an adapter or two.
Last edited by Jesse Open; 04-15-2020 at 03:37 PM.
I do agree the lash was not properly maintained as evidenced by the large dent on the cam lobe. There was a bent pushrod on the exhaust side as well.
I'm wondering what oil was used because the carbon it formed was the toughest I've ever had to remove. I never did get all of it out from around the exhaust seat even after 2 24hr cycles in the crock. Lacquer thinner won't touch the stuff either.
It's all cleaned up now and looking great, just waiting on bearings now and then it's off to the races!
Last edited by Glowgeek; 04-16-2020 at 04:53 PM.
My engines all run 12% Klotz, 2%Benol and never see anything like that . Very possible a gasoline type oil that does not mix well with methanol had been used at some point.
Many folks think alll synthetics will blend with methanol and of course they do not. The carbon thing adds to the puzzle .
I was saying I wont ever again sell an unknown engine without tearing it down. Out of all the engines luck would have it, you got the pigs of the litter.. Every single other was a gem and got excellent feedback, I did tear a120 down to the last screw, the buyer left glowing feedback.
Funny thing though, I ran that 125?on the stand and in my fuel it ran great. Fine idle and strong top end. Sometimes perfect is the worst enemy of good.
Many folks think alll synthetics will blend with methanol and of course they do not. The carbon thing adds to the puzzle .
I was saying I wont ever again sell an unknown engine without tearing it down. Out of all the engines luck would have it, you got the pigs of the litter.. Every single other was a gem and got excellent feedback, I did tear a120 down to the last screw, the buyer left glowing feedback.
Funny thing though, I ran that 125?on the stand and in my fuel it ran great. Fine idle and strong top end. Sometimes perfect is the worst enemy of good.
Gary, now that you mention it they may have run a gasser oil in that 125. The light bulb just came on! Amzoil synthetic has a history of making carbon residue thats extremely difficult to remove and of course would not mix well with alcohol.
Replacing valvetrain parts in pre-owned saitos is the norm in my experience, I expect it. When I rebuild them I'm looking for longevity so anything with abnormal wear gets replaced. Nothing has to be perfect, just usable long term. The 2 engines you sent were no exception and I have no problem with that at all.
Cosmetics is a different story. You can't polish a turd. That's where both of the engines you sent are exceptional, they look terrific.
Replacing valvetrain parts in pre-owned saitos is the norm in my experience, I expect it. When I rebuild them I'm looking for longevity so anything with abnormal wear gets replaced. Nothing has to be perfect, just usable long term. The 2 engines you sent were no exception and I have no problem with that at all.
Cosmetics is a different story. You can't polish a turd. That's where both of the engines you sent are exceptional, they look terrific.
Can't tell you Dave, I only ran about 14 ounces of GOOD fuel with a complete oil package.
The past users oiling is unknown. If he used a gasoline type oil that didn't mix well wth methanol the lube would be hit and miss. The cam is about the most oil hungry area in the engine. Also mentioned was a bent pushrod. Of course a bent pushrod equals excess rocker clearance. That can hammer a cheap o Saito powder metal cam very badly.
Just as with full size flat tappet systems, an extreme pressure lubricant not only extends life but helps immensely when conditions get less than ideal.
OS/ASP/Magnum/TT/Enya tappets are larger diameter with a slightly different cam profile to suit. I've never seen a bad tappet or cam in one of those when cleaning them up. Im guessing those owners used the same commonly available fuels as most of the rest of us. I commonly see valve lash clearances well over .010" in those pre-owned engines too but unlike Saito, no visible damage.
If you want a lightweight engine that runs like the devil it's going to require a little more maintenance. What does it take, like 5 minutes to adjust the valve lash?
If you want a lightweight engine that runs like the devil it's going to require a little more maintenance. What does it take, like 5 minutes to adjust the valve lash?
Moving to OS?!
Before the flying season starts I'm swapping out the fa100 on my clipped 4*60 for an OS fs91. It's not what you might think. The 4* isn't my kind of plane really so I'm going to beat living crap out of it. I mean really huck it around just to see how much abuse it can take before something gives. When it goes in I'd rather see an OS munch dirt than one of my prized possessions.