1/2A Starter.

The major problem with using a starter on Cox reedies is that your grinding the drive plate into the case. This can really chew it up and disperse metal filings etc into the crank journal. Although I've seen it done I certainly don't recommend it. This isn't the case with Tee Dee's and some Medallions as they have either a phenolic washer or stainless steel thrust washer. Ken

Thanks guys, you highlighted some of my own concerns, What I think I'll do is use it on one engine, and keep 0n inspecting it. I like the Idea of using it get the fuel flowing, no plug lead and then just using it to bump the engine. If it seems ok I may try it on others.

Cheers

If any of you see that video where the guy spins the engine, then turns it to TDC and bumps the glow driver, please post it. I want that in my favorites.

Here you go;

Ken Cook wrote: The major problem with using a starter on Cox reedies is that your grinding the drive plate into the case. .................. This isn't the case with Tee Dee's and some Medallions as they have either a phenolic washer or stainless steel thrust washer. Ken

You can reduce the wear somewhat by always adding a drop or two of fuel behind the drive plate before starting. The lube will help reduce the galling.

If you get too much wear, you can end up with the crank pin being pushed into the reed housing. The other downside to excessive endplay is increased wear on the bottom end of the rod since it does not remain at 90 degrees to the crank pin.

Like Ken, I don't use starters on small engines (actually, I don't use a starter at all).

andrew wrote:Like Ken, I don't use starters on small engines (actually, I don't use a starter at all).

Ditto!

Get to know your engine and you don't need a starter.

George

Thanks for the link, Kris. That whole video is awesome. I guess that's a Cyclon engine or some such exotic machine. Beautiful plane. Sorry for the hijack, i just wanted to see that again. Now favorited in my Tube channel.

RknRusty wrote:Thanks for the link, Kris. That whole video is awesome. I guess that's a Cyclon engine or some such exotic machine. Beautiful plane. Sorry for the hijack, i just wanted to see that again. Now favorited in my Tube channel.

Man that is stupid fast!!!

ebeneezer wrote:. I like the Idea of using it get the fuel flowing, no plug lead and then just using it to bump the engine. If it seems ok I may try it on others.

Cheers

Just use good judgement and you wont have problems. Have been using a Astroflite 1/2A starter for a very long time with no issues. Glow plug off, and hand prop it thru a few times to make sure it's not flooded, then glow clip on and bump it with the starter already engaged and spinning.

All of the above warning posts are correct also. Try to resist the urge to just put it on the nosecone and let it crank, until you get some experience with it. If you have a old mule engine you can practice on with it, I suggest to do so. Drops of after run oil between the drive plate and engine case before starting, or you wlll grind away and create aluminum mud, which is basically drive plate and engine case material. YOU WILL increase the crank endplay if you see a BUNCH of that mud.


All my engines get the phenolic washers, wether or not I am going to use a elec starter or not. Even my TD's,, behind the steel drive plate next to the alum collet. Some of those motors are set to be a pusher and the washers save wear from that forward thrust of the prop and or the electric starter being used.
http://coxengines.ca/cox-.049-thrust-washer-phenolic-3.html

With all this posted, don't be scared away from the prospect of it. It just takes a bit of experience to know those boundarys. It does help to get the fuel flowing and the natural flow of the air/fuel mixture thru the engine. Once you get good, you can spin the motor with the starter, then just touch the glow clip to the head and it will light off.

cribbs74 wrote:
Man that is stupid fast!!!

Most of the US racers are running NELSON or JETT engines. If you have never had the chance to attend a top tier pylon race, it should be added to your "must do" list. The planes are "stupid fast" and when you put 4 of them on the course together, it's exciting to watch. Midairs usually result with the planes literally exploding.

The sight, sound and speed of these planes will really get your blood pumping.

andrew

I have never owned any electric starter but I really like the spring starters. No extra batteries to lug and you can easily restart the engine if needed, just keep one of the handheld glow drivers in your pocket.

A springstarter that grabs a washer/disk behind the prop doesn't take any extra space either and can be used with fully cowled engines too.

Ken Cook wrote: The major problem with using a starter on Cox reedies is that your grinding the drive plate into the case. This can really chew it up and disperse metal filings etc into the crank journal. Although I've seen it done I certainly don't recommend it. This isn't the case with Tee Dee's and some Medallions as they have either a phenolic washer or stainless steel thrust washer. Ken

What's to stop me putting a thrust washer on all/any of my .049 reedies?

dinsdale wrote:

Ken Cook wrote: The major problem with using a starter on Cox reedies is that your grinding the drive plate into the case. This can really chew it up and disperse metal filings etc into the crank journal. Although I've seen it done I certainly don't recommend it. This isn't the case with Tee Dee's and some Medallions as they have either a phenolic washer or stainless steel thrust washer. Ken

What's to stop me putting a thrust washer on all/any of my .049 reedies?

Nothing at all. They may be a little large in OD, but will work fine.

http://coxengines.ca/cox-.049-thrust-washer-phenolic-3.html

I don't know what happened to my other post I typed. I might not have hit the send correctly. I did show an example of my Killer Bee which has a thrust washer installed on it. This certainly could be done as suggested to any reedie block. Ken

A brass driveplate made for pusher engines is nice to have too. Some Surestarts came with them. My PT-19 did.