Wen Mac Aeromite/Challenger

rdw777 wrote:Cool old Aeromite/Challenger Bob…. I read these  came out nearly the same time as Jim Walker’s Firebaby…. Very early 1/2A stuff….Looks like some minor cleanup and box repair will put it in excellent condition….. I didn’t have anything Wen-Mac in my group so I recently found and ordered a Wen-Mac MK III with rotomatic starter….. Looking forward to receiving it and seeing if I can get it to run….

You should love that W/M with the rotomatic Robert. Fine engine and the starter makes starting it easy. But be aware. The starter can get gummed up just like the engine and you can't........well you shouldn't attempt disasssembly. Alcohol/Berrymans and heat cures. Let us know how it goes.

rsv1cox wrote:You should love that W/M with the rotomatic Robert.  Fine engine and the starter makes starting it easy.  But be aware.  The starter can get gummed up just like the engine and you can't........well you shouldn't attempt disasssembly.  Alcohol/Berrymans and heat cures.  Let us know how it goes.

Bob, appreciate your practical experiential knowledge on cleaning up these engines with a starter system not designed to be tampered with. I thought it interesting that later on, Testors recommended non-Castor fuel to be used with these engines so that one doesn't gum up the Rotomatic starter. Prior, I've been old school in thought that at least 10% Castor in a 20% minimum oil basis should be used to prevent premature engine wear in case of a lean run.

I really don't know, maybe the newest synthetics achieve better wear resistance than older synthetic oils? Or, one needs to spend a little more to obtain FAA/Military Specification quality grade turbine synthetic oil?

Maybe one of these days, we can dispense with Castor for cleaner burning synth? The mind boggles to know.

Thanks for the heads up on the starter Bob, That’s kinda what I thought, So will take your recommendations on rehab….Maybe we can get it to run with a good solvent cleaning internally ……Interesting take on the oil George…. The whole thing with shipping was less than twenty dollars so it will have to survive on regular 1/2A fuel with castor….I bet a good cleaning after running would take care of any gummy problems…. Provide it works in the first place …..Looks a little crusty but workable…. Seller says it has some compression so I guess at least it will turn over…

A thing of beauty Robert.....A thing of beauty.

It looks like the starter is gummy. That's what I like about Wens....pennys spent for a dollars worth.

The starters aren't that hard to get apart.

Very true.  I have taken apart at least three that were damaged just to see what was in there.  But, disassembly is so unnecessary.  An overnight soak in Berrymans, followed by a hot water rinse followed by a second rinse in 91% alcohol returns them to as new function.  

My W/M Boeing P-26's for example.  All with the Rotomatic starter... These guys






Most arrived with gummed up engines and starters.  I just dump the engines, rotomatics and all in Berrymans, hot water rinse, 91%,  heat with a heat gun, add a propeller and a little MMO in the ports and the seam of the starter and rock back and forth freeing them up.

Nice MkIII hopefully it will have enough compression

I hope it does too Eric…. Unless it’s been too much abused or outright broken we’ll give it a shot!

That’s for the detailed explanation of the starter disassembly Rod… A wealth of knowledge here on CEF!!… We may have to go there!!…..We’ll try solvent and heat first and see where it leads…. Also will see how the top end cleans up without disassembly…. I know if it’s taken apart will probably have to make gaskets…. That was true on two Atwood Wasps I have…. A little tedious but doable …. I think the WM is a cousin to the Wasp….

Yes Bob, It’s got that look of neglect  for a lot of years and maybe a little pliers abuse but
also a chance of potential…. We’ll have fun to find out!

Robert

Got it today.  New in the box but shows its age, not the plane etc. but the box.  It's been kicked around a bit.  Repairable and a fun thing to do.  It's da bomb.....uses the same release mechanism as Cox and some others.



The plane is new including the engine and starter which turns over.  The plane isn't dusty, the finish is universally crazed, meant to be that way.  The battery and fuel have never been out of the box but I hear no sloshing of fuel in the can.  Probably a lump of goo by now.  

Same Wen Mac engine as in Travis's P-38, and as new but not stored properly.  $91.00 shipped as opposed to a potential $1500 for the P-38, such is the allure of a P-38 and an as new container.  I will repair the box, store it on the wall of shame and forget about it.  Another - No fun ebay buy.  Then there is the Cox chainsaw....perhaps more fun than I can stand.  

My twenty dollar Wen Mac runs great!… Was locked when I got it so I threw it in a cup of air tool oil and left town for three days… When I got back just a little coaxing with a prop got it to turn over…. The only thing I took off was the head and needle for a little further cleaning….Not nearly as strong as a Bee but an easy starting fun little engine….

I like easy and fun LOL I got some locked up need to try the simple clean , been concerned about parts

Nice Eric, Hope you can get them free’d up and running…. These old locked up engines remind me of the Tin Man on the Wizard of Oz asking for the oil can LOL!!!

rdw777 wrote:These old locked up engines remind me of the Tin Man on the Wizard of Oz asking for the oil can LOL!!!

After a little mystery oil, after many years locked, they can talk!