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Author Topic: moving the motor aft  (Read 1463 times)

Offline Steve Thornton

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moving the motor aft
« on: December 01, 2011, 11:55:13 AM »
I'm still lacking in building skills and I have drilled the holes for my OS 35 S too far forward by about 1/4 inch on my Oriental ARF.  Advice, help, or ideas? Left alone, will it be too nose heavy? I don't need a really high performance plane yet, as I am still learning the basics-loops, inverted flying, etc.
Thanks
Steve Thornton
"Most of us won't make it out of this world alive."
Steve Thornton

Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: moving the motor aft
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2011, 12:39:56 PM »
If it's straight and it fits, then it should fly OK.  It'll just look a bit ugly.

1/4" of motor offset isn't going to move your center of gravity by much at all -- if you need tail weight without moving the motor, you'll need tail weight with the motor moved.

Does that model have wood motor mounts?  If you can get in there to drill new mounting holes, 1/4" spacing between the "right" holes and the "wrong" ones isn't too bad.
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The problem with electric is that once you get the smoke generator and sound system installed, the plane is too heavy.

Offline Balsa Butcher

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Re: moving the motor aft
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2011, 12:44:41 PM »
Left alone it will not be too nose heavy. If you are concerned about the looks (you shouldn't be) add a balsa extension to the fuselage or use a Du-Bro plastic spinner. Their backplates extend a bit behind the engine thrust washer which will make up some of the gap.  8)
« Last Edit: December 01, 2011, 05:06:30 PM by Pete Cunha »
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Offline Bill Little

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Re: moving the motor aft
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2011, 03:42:47 PM »
Hi Steve,

Both suggestions will work.  Drill new holes or use a Dubro or Goldberg spinner.  ;D

I'd drill new holes if I could.  The Oriental can easily be nose heavy.
 
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Offline Steve Thornton

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Re: moving the motor aft
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2011, 04:26:48 PM »
Thanks for the info and advice.  I drilled new holes and sandwiched the engine and bottom of the mounts with 1/16" aluminum strips. I will test fly at the Dallas New Year gathering.  Thank you for all your help
Happy New Year and good flying,
Steve
"Most of us won't make it out of this world alive."
Steve Thornton

Offline Rafael Gonzalez

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Re: moving the motor aft
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2011, 06:17:01 PM »
Thanks for the info and advice.  I drilled new holes and sandwiched the engine and bottom of the mounts with 1/16" aluminum strips. I will test fly at the Dallas New Year gathering.  Thank you for all your help
Happy New Year and good flying,
Steve
Must be nice to fly on New Year...
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Offline Robert Zambelli

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Re: moving the motor aft
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2012, 07:04:01 PM »
Steve: When I built the prototype Oriental ARF, I used a Fox 35, tongue muffler, plastic spinner and wood prop. It was still noseheavy - I had to add nearly an ounce of tailweight.
Fill the holes with hardwood dowels and JB weld, then drill new holes. Get the engine as far back as possible.

Bob Z.

Offline Steve Thornton

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Re: moving the motor aft
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2012, 12:25:19 AM »
Thanks for all the input.  After epoxying dowels in the existing holes, I used 1/16" alum pads and it seems like it will be just fine.  I asked Tom Neibuhr to look at it and he agreed that it will.  On New Years eve, after getting the canopy installed and the flaps sealed,  I was "exercising" the controls and they jammed solid. Something around the bell crank.  No New Year flying for me.  No more ARF's......ever. Can hardly wait to fly my Twister and build a profile Oriental.
Thanks again
Steve
"Most of us won't make it out of this world alive."
Steve Thornton


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