News:



  • June 21, 2025, 06:50:58 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....  (Read 1696 times)

Offline REX1945

  • AMA 19945
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Commander
  • ****
  • Posts: 145
ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« on: June 17, 2012, 09:54:25 AM »
At a recent event,  I asked a fellow modeler how his Vector 40 flew and he said that "it ws just a bit slow".
Since we were at "Fantacy Island"  (five flying circles with shop attached and free beer), I asked if I could
help improve the lap time by a tenth of a second or two.  He has a Brodak 40, which uses the "Double Star"
type spray bar asembly with 2 holes in line (or one cross hole if you like that better).

I filed a couple of flats across the holes to "dog-bone" the bar and it did improve the lap time by about
one or two tenths of a second (4.92 upright and 4.68 inverted).

I would rather have filed the flats acoss the solid portion of the bar (parallel to the holes), but several folks
indicate that a thru-hole bar cannot be installed with "one hole up".

What is the advantage of the thru-hole system anyways ?

Rex

Offline Hoss Cain

  • 2015
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 447
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2012, 11:44:25 AM »
At a recent event,  I asked a fellow modeler how his Vector 40 flew and he said that "it ws just a bit slow".
Since we were at "Fantacy Island"  (five flying circles with shop attached and free beer), I asked if I could
help improve the lap time by a tenth of a second or two.  He has a Brodak 40, which uses the "Double Star"
type spray bar asembly with 2 holes in line (or one cross hole if you like that better).

I filed a couple of flats across the holes to "dog-bone" the bar and it did improve the lap time by about
one or two tenths of a second (4.92 upright and 4.68 inverted).

All you did was increase the airflow across the needlevalve bar by decreasing the size of said nv bar. The extra flow of air resulted in more fuel being drawn thus increasing the engine speed a tad, yet could cause a problem in maneuvering due to the decrease of static pressure.

Quote
I would rather have filed the flats acoss the solid portion of the bar (parallel to the holes), but several folks
indicate that a thru-hole bar cannot be installed with "one hole up".

What is the advantage of the thru-hole system anyways ?

Rex

"one hole up" is definitely NOT a problem SOLVER!  Fuel draw in a standard NV is accomplished by increasing Dynamic pressure, thus reducing Static pressure which allows  fuel to flow out of the tank, still under Total (static) Pressure That is why combat and speed engines with the large venturis need pressure systems. There is simply inadequate pressure differential with the larger amount of air being drawn through the large venturi and thus static pressure having less diffenterial than static atmospheric.

The double hole spray bar serves a purpose of allowing more fuel to flow, especially when under pressure. If the bar is turned so that the front hole is forward and the rear hole is just out of sight, my thoughts are that the mixture of air and fuel begins right there. When I was a stunt competitor, all my Fox engines used OS/Enya needle assemblies with the rear hole just out of sight. My stock Fox .40, after a good break-in, was equal to my George Aldrich ST .40, Both were excellent engines.

As I am preparing to again try some CL stunt I will use the same set-up. Actually I have a Fox .25 and a Fox .35, many years old, that run very well using the set-up. I am working with an Evolution 60 at this time.

BTW, a single hole NV should have the hole just out of sight rearward. That is the lowest static pressure point thus the best fuel flow.

As better evidence, some years ago when Great Planes (pains) n~ took over Super Tigre and moved it to China, they removed the restrictors from the RC .40 and .45s. The venturi is too large for good flow, especially during throtle application when the tank has little or no pressure in it. Idle muffler pressure is inadequate for a needle setting based on full throttle, therefore comes the ST gurgles and dying. I built some restrictors for those wanting them and a number of club members went from being POed to good pleasure with their ST .40s.
Back in the 1965- 68 days I used a Johnson Stunt Supreme.  I restricted it by some 30% and ran a 10-4 on a highly modified Thunderbird. Put a lot of trophies on the shelf.

Decreasing the spray bar size is NOT the way to assist a stunt engine using atmospheric air for fuel feed.

« Last Edit: June 17, 2012, 12:07:12 PM by Hoss Cain »
Horrace Cain
AMA L-93 CD and Leader
New Caney, TX  (NE Houston area)

Offline REX1945

  • AMA 19945
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Commander
  • ****
  • Posts: 145
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2012, 12:22:57 PM »
So, I should use a stock spraybar and bore out the venturi slightly to get more airflow ?

Doesn't that also reduce the vacuum caused between the high point of the spray bar and the
wall of the venturi ?

Rex

PS  : I have a couple of old Johnsons; how do you tell a Johnson 35 from a Johnson 36 ?

Offline Brett Buck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 14475
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2012, 12:25:42 PM »

Back in the 1965- 68 days I used a Johnson Stunt Supreme.  I restricted it by some 30% and ran a 10-4 on a highly modified Thunderbird. Put a lot of trophies on the shelf.

Decreasing the spray bar size is NOT the way to assist a stunt engine using atmospheric air for fuel feed.



???   Sounds like it assisted it exactly like it was expected to. He increased the choke area and got more power, so it went a little faster. Just like a tiny increase in the venturi diameter does.

    Adjusting the choke area is a classic engine adjustment. Just because you successfully adjusted a specific engine to have less choke area 50 years ago does not make it a universal rule.

     Brett

Offline Brett Buck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 14475
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2012, 12:30:17 PM »
So, I should use a stock spraybar and bore out the venturi slightly to get more airflow ?

   Quick question - does it work like you want it to now?  If the answer is yes, then you did the right thing. I probably would have suggested making the venturi larger instead but as long as it doesn't break in half due to the reduced strength, and it runs right with flats near the holes, don't worry about it any more.

     Brett

Offline Steve Helmick

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 10265
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2012, 12:41:18 PM »
Last I heard,  B.40's come with a .305" venturi and .156" spraybar. That's pretty darned big choke area for a .40, so it would make more sense to add nitro and/or prop pitch. Reducing the prop diameter should also increase the speed, by allowing the engine to unload more. What prop was the guy running? What nitro content? Which version of the B.40, and which muffler?

Regarding Johnson engines, somebody recently posted a chart of their various bore/strokes. IIRC, at least one of the .35's and the .36 were the same bore and stroke. I had a .36BB, a POS, and the only Johnson engine I ever had or wanted to have. Thankfully, Super Tigre came along to save the day.  HH%% Steve
« Last Edit: June 17, 2012, 01:35:47 PM by Steve Helmick »
"The United States has become a place where professional athletes and entertainers are mistaken for people of importance." - Robert Heinlein

In 1944 18-20 year old's stormed beaches, and parachuted behind enemy lines to almost certain death.  In 2015 18-20 year old's need safe zones so people don't hurt their feelings.

Online Lauri Malila

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 1733
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2012, 12:54:57 PM »
Quote from: Hoss Cain link=topic=27107.msg261806#msg261806 date=133995506


[i
Decreasing the spray bar size[/i] is NOT the way to assist a stunt engine using atmospheric air for fuel feed.



 Hi.

 I wouldn't say it's so simple. In stunt, you don't necessarily need the most efficient suction or the best possible shape  (theoretical) of venturi. I've done that and found out that they often just tend to make things more critical.
 I found out an interesting thing about venturi's the last time I was out testing my MB .77 engine. The engine uses a "true venturi" made as per Randy's instructions: intake cone with total 14 degrees and exit with total 22 degr. cone. Fuel enters the airflow where the 2 cones meet. The air entry is shaped like a trumpet, with 1/2" max. diametre. The smallest diametre (That's where the cones meet) is 5mm (0,197").
  I made the first venturi's with a fuel post, or spigot. The spigot is turned from titanium #5, has inside diameter of 0,8mm (1/32") and the spigot enters 0,5mm (0,02") into the airflow. I thought that the spigot would increase stability as it brings the fuel exit location a little away from the boundary layer.
 Well, I also made identical venturi's, just without the spigot. Just a 0,8mm hole drilled to the side of venturi. My venturi's are very well made, absolutely no air leaks because of 2 O-rings and all the important dimensions are similar within 0,01mm (0,0004"). Also, the plug-in construction allows me to change the venturi just in a few seconds, this allows very systematical tests at the flying field.
 I found out that with either venturi, the needle setting is very easy. Just with the one without fuel spigot, I had to open the needle (PA valve) about 1/2..3/4 turn for the same 6700 ground RPM. (I don't think that the difference of about 1/3 sq.mm in venturi cross area makes any difference.), so this means that the suction created by the venturi without spigot is smaller. But the engine behaviour was much nicer, smoother change between 4-and 2-stroke and less other weird things. One thing worth noting is also, that with the needle valve more open there is a smaller risk that it gets blocked by some @#$% in fuel. I don't want that, a lean run with this big & powerfull engine without pipe is a very scary (and rather long) experience. L
« Last Edit: June 17, 2012, 01:43:00 PM by Lauri Malila »

Offline REX1945

  • AMA 19945
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Commander
  • ****
  • Posts: 145
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2012, 01:22:33 PM »
Doc,

I notice Mr Garf seems to question the two hole approach as well.

The spraybar I reworked yesterday had the hole straight across, not off-center.

ref :  http://hangarflying.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wire&action=display&thread=2458

Rex

PS :  I think his name is Phil Brown.

Offline john e. holliday

  • 25 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 22975
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #8 on: June 18, 2012, 09:12:53 AM »
If you look at the two hole spray bars you will see they are not centered on the spray bar.  Fox used the two hole spray bar for years.  The holes shuld be out of sight if the spray bar is put in correctly H^^
John E. "DOC" Holliday
10421 West 56th Terrace
Shawnee, KANSAS  66203
AMA 23530  Have fun as I have and I am still breaking a record.

Offline Garf

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 1817
    • Hangar Flying
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #9 on: June 19, 2012, 11:11:09 AM »
Johnson.


Offline Chris Wilson

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 1710
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #10 on: June 19, 2012, 08:04:04 PM »
........l. I don't want that, a lean run with this big & powerfull engine without pipe is a very scary (and rather long) experience..............

Hmm, I have witnessed a lean run by a R&B 75 due to an inflight developed exhaust leak and needless to say the fliers arm got stretched a bit that day!

Ever seen a cross between a Team Racer and a Stunter ? Well, you get the idea I am sure.
MAAA AUS 73427

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.
 Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result.  It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required

Offline Chris Wilson

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 1710
Re: ST 51 spraybar cross hole....
« Reply #11 on: June 19, 2012, 08:34:59 PM »


What is the advantage of the thru-hole system anyways ?

Rex

I am of the opinion that the purpose of any multi-oriface system is to provide a finer droplet size for any given flow.

In theory a twin hole spraybar should produce a finer mist than a single hole bar, but in practice all the spray system does is provide the correct air/fuel ratio and the great majority of atomisation is done further down the food chain by the transfer ports.

MAAA AUS 73427

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.
 Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result.  It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required


Advertise Here
Tags: