stunthanger.com
Engine basics => Engine set up tips => Topic started by: Dennis Saydak on December 15, 2006, 10:22:06 AM
-
As I recall, someone had a Sheeks Staggerwing with a wankel in it. Can this engine be hand started relatively easily or is it necessary to use an electric starter?
Dennis
-
Dennis - I've started mine by hand but it was not all that consistent.
For that engine, there seems to be a fine line between enough fuel to start and completely flooded.
It's a fine little engine, though. Smooth, quiet and thirsty.
Someday it'll find its way into a C/L plane.
Bob Z.
-
Yep, that was my Staggerwing with a Wankel engine. Good smooth runner, but hard to hand start. I always used a starter, 'cause it was easier, and faster. The engine was, as noted by others, thirsty. It also was heavy, though it balanced the Staggerwing fine. I had to extend the mounts a bit when I mounted a B-40 in it.
John
-
How was the power it had. I remember them having astronomical horse power but little torque. Seems we need torque for stunt.
-
The power was fine. It ran smooth and made good power. Problem was that it so heavy, because of the engine weight, that the plane suffered in the hard turns. Flew fine otherwise. Would I do it again? Yes, but I'd want a plane designed for the engine.
-
'Nother question, John...
Since the "piston(s)" in a Wankel are a large approximately triangular chunk of metal rotating at a short radius from a gear, how was the torque and gyro precession effect in turns?
I suspect there could be something like the WW1 rotary engine fighters had: snap-roll around the inside of their own fuselage one way, but took a fairly large county to turn them the other (slight exaggeration, there, of course.)
-
Sad to say but the Wankel seems to no longer be distributed in the US. I guess I waited just a little too long.
-
Regularly available on eBAY - Prices range from low $100 to $160 or so.
-
'Nother question, John...
Since the "piston(s)" in a Wankel are a large approximately triangular chunk of metal rotating at a short radius from a gear, how was the torque and gyro precession effect in turns?
I suspect there could be something like the WW1 rotary engine fighters had: snap-roll around the inside of their own fuselage one way, but took a fairly large county to turn them the other (slight exaggeration, there, of course.)
Lou, I never noticed such problems with the engine. My only problem was that the weight was such that it suffered in the hard turns. NO ROLL, rather a falling out on the bottoms that over weight planes seem to show. I replaced the Wankle with a B-40. I had to move it quite a bit forward to get balance, so the cowl now needs to be rebuilt to a longer legnth. The plane now flies better in the hard turns.
John