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Engine basics => Engine set up tips => Topic started by: frank mccune on December 07, 2015, 05:55:37 AM
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Hello All:
Can anybody give me some advice about running a 25% castor oil and a 75% a alcohol mix in my engines.
I have used it in the past with no trouble but when the temperature dropped to about 50 degrees F, here in Pennsylvania, I experienced a drop in RPM when the battery was removed from the plug. I used this mix in Old Country in with no problems and flew in temps as low as -25F. My Fox and Enya engines would start and run on a typical Winter flying day when the temps were 0 degrees F.
In old country I used only Klotz oil as a lube. Perhaps this made the difference.
In any case, for sport flying, what plug is the best for no nitro fuel? What may I expect from running FAI fuel?
Perhaps I should just make a plan to purchase some nitro. Lol
Suggestions?
Tia,
Frank McCune
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I'd continue using Klotz oil as it stays stable at lower temperatures. Castor is just too thick in cold weather. I'm sure you have felt the glue effect of castor oil in your engines.
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Back in the day (late 1950s) my dad and I frequently flew fai home brew fuel in our Foxes. We went to the local pharmacy (remember the ones with soda fountains and big ceiling fans?) and bought medical castor and methanol in big glass jars...and then mixed it 29/71. We used Fox standard plugs and dry cell batts. We flew many yrs this way (Fox Super Fuel was hard to come by and a luxury) and had no problems. I don't remember us being concerned with rpm drops when the batt was removed but fuel without nitro was fine. 95% of our flying was above 45-50F in Florida.
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buy you a can of lighter fluid, a small squirt will help in cold weather
Randy
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I have had good luck adding 1 or 2 ounces of Coleman fuel to a quart of glow fuel. It helps starting and improves fuel milage.