Tach Race Entry Check-In

I may not get to run mine at all.

Time, precious time....

Mudhen wrote:Hi Kim,
Well the engine's nearly finished, but I'm going to be right on the edge of the race date. What I'll do is overnight the engine whether I need to or not. Hopefully this will offset the holiday rushes and the "work around" I had to develop.
The Venom crank had a factory defect that I did not notice until it was too late. The work around works, but I lose rpm as a result and it makes the engine even more unsafe to operate. (considering that all, or most of the engines are experimental.) I broke in the engine yesterday and slowly worked up to peak rpm with break-in fuel and engine mods to make sure it was smooth, fast, consistent and relatively easy to start. (A total of roughly 45 mins running time.) Once the assembly is finished I'll do a final run, mostly to insure your safety. Also, if it's okay with you, I would like to include brief starting instructions. Nearly every part has been "fiddled with," so I want to make certain it runs for you. I don't need any more paperweights.
Mud

Sounds good Mud!

Yes, ANY instructions or notes with yours or other Forum Members' engines will be appreciated. My crew and I will all be wearing safety equipment, and I may even build up an "Engine Cell" with ply and plexiglass to house the engines as they run!

Out of interest Kim what plane is that in your avatar?
Extra?

I don't remember the Manufacturer, but saw one in a swap meet a while back and will check it if I see it again. It's a Laser 300, one of the first "ARF" kits I ever bought.

It's modeled after Leo Loudenslager's plane, before he went to the red and white Budweiser Scheme. While it looked good, the workmanship and design of ARFs back in the 80's was lacking somewhat. The plastic belly pan below and behind the engine deteriorated almost immediately, making me replace it, and this chase continued the whole time I owned it. I also eventually replaced ALL the pushrod wire and horns with good stuff. The best-quality part of the whole plane was the adjustable engine mount, which I still have.

I powered it with a K&B 60 or something like that, and spent a lot of time chasing another identical plane flown by a friend. I loved to put it low on the deck and just tear around like a pylon racer.

It met it's end in a cross-wind gust on a day when I shouldn't have been flying...spectacular, cartwheeling-parts-slinging crash out across the pavement! Don't fly when you're sick with the flu !

The Venom crank had a factory defect that I did not notice until it was too late

Was this a crank you purchased from Matt or us? If so please let us know what the problem was.

Bernie
www.coxinternational.ca

Cox International wrote:Ok, it has been established that this was indeed a crank purchased from us.

The issue was that the prop-screw hole was off centre, causing vibrations.

This is a factory defect for which we take full responsibility and will ship a new crank to Mudhem immediately as well as to any of our buyers that experince issues with these cranks or any other of our products.

Product problems may arise on occasion - the difference is how a seller deals with such

Bernie
www.coxinternational.ca

Hmm, interesting. May have something to do with the fact I can't get my driveplate on squarely.

Cox International wrote:... um... no. Driveplates are notorious for not wanting to go on straight. Even withe the Cox stock, we have to tighten, tap, tighten, tap a few times.

The off-centre refers to the screw-hole itself and would not affect the drive-plate assembling.

Bernie
www.coxinternational.ca

I'm just speculating here, but if the threads are off, and you draw the plate on with a screw, will that not bring it on off center? Or make it look like it?

I do not think I have that problem though, probably my inadequate skill in that area.

If they were off it would not go on properly but would only seat partially on one side.

nitroairplane wrote:If they were off it would not go on properly but would only seat partially on one side.

That's what I was thinking.

Ok, makes sense.

Hey Bernie,

Just a note to let you know I've received your packages...and am now running away to Mexico with the goods!

What Beautiful Engines !!!!!!!!!!!!

The TACH RACE 2012 parking area now has it's first occupants !

Thank You and Xena again for your support of this little endeavor!

Kim --

How about posting pics of the engines as they arrive with the owner's names and what class they'll be entered in? (just in case I need to cross the river and head to Mexico with you)

andrew

Cox International wrote:Wow that was quick, Kim!

Bernie
www.coxinternational.ca

Maybe it got out on the leading edge of the Holiday Tsunami of Snail Mail, and was BLASTED here !!!

Engines are beautiful, and thanks for inclusion of the note !!!!

andrew wrote:Kim --

How about posting pics of the engines as they arrive with the owner's names and what class they'll be entered in? (just in case I need to cross the river and head to Mexico with you)

andrew

Will do!

Since I'm now in charge of two "Tach Race Elves", I shall assign them photographic and catalog duties in order to keep them out of trouble!

We can always ditch them at the Rio Grande!

If my unlimited engine is not ready in time I might have to send in a product engine for the newbie class.

You've still got some time Micro...figure it ought not to take to many days from South Carolina to Missouri. See if you can get it going!

Also, along the same lines, everyone keep in mind that I may have a good number of engines to run over those two days, so it'd be a good idea to tune your engines with the intent of having them "run-right-out-of-the box".

If your entry in too compressed to run, I could try pulling a head gasket just to see if I can get it to start, but if it's crankiness persists, I won't have any alternative but to set it aside, and try to get back to it at the completion of running the other engines in the Class.

Kim wrote:You've still got some time Micro...figure it ought not to take to many days from South Carolina to Missouri. See if you can get it going!

Also, along the same lines, everyone keep in mind that I may have a good number of engines to run over those two days, so it'd be a good idea to tune your engines with the intent of having them "run-right-out-of-the box".

If your entry in too compressed to run, I could try pulling a head gasket just to see if I can get it to start, but if it's crankiness persists, I won't have any alternative but to set it aside, and try to get back to it at the completion of running the other engines in the Class.

I sent it to Ron Cribbs today, who will help me install the driveplate. Might have to send it from there to you.

.

[img][/img] I hope this photo comes out OK... These are my entries.

Merry Christmas, Paul G.

Apparently I don't know how to attach a photo, sorry guys.