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Engine basics => Four strokes only => Topic started by: Terry Caron on December 07, 2015, 08:03:17 PM
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How many versions have there been of the enclosed rocker FA 40?
Where does this one fit and how does it compare to other versions?
Thanks.
Terry
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I would guess there has only been two versions, the current version is designated FA-40A and looks like the one you have may be an early engine.
Google found this thread on an RC forum with a few links but only thing I could find following the links was the 40 was produced between 1980 and 1989. Didn't see anything that said when the 40A was introduced.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2360061
This post shows a photo of an early 40 next to a later 40, big difference in size but not exactly sure if the 40 you have is the larger engine.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/glow-engines-114/9315616-saito-history-2.html
Doubt anyone has any first hand CL experience with the early 40, my first Saito was a 40A.
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Thanks for the links and info, Bob.
Mine does look like the older, larger one pictured.
I also found this pic, which is another older version - note the intake difference from mine.
The box is stamped "Mk II", so I'm thinking I probably have a Mk I from the early '80s.
Terry
UPDATE: A Chinn review on Sceptreflight of the original open rocker FA 40 notes it as being the Mk I, so maybe there were 2 variants of the enclosed rocker Mk II?
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Just from the pictures it looks like the early 40's are close to the same size and probably weight of a modern 56 but with less power than a 40A. Doubt it would be worth the effort to try and fly with it but would look nice for a display engine.
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Not a prob as I've no plans to fly it anyhoo, I got it just to have a 4-stroke for bench-run fun.
FWIW - Note mine has "SAITO" cast into crankcase not cylinder base; head/valve covers are different.
Also, not visible, but mine has "FA" cast but "40" stamped into lower case; 2nd engine has "FA 40" cast into cylinder base.
Examination of the Chinn review pix shows the MK I has "SAITO" and "FA 40" cast into cylinder base.
Wonder if mine could be pre-production?
Terry.
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I had an FA series 40 that looked like that. Not super power, but very strong and dependable. I flew it in a 72" rc piper cub.
I had an FA series 65 also. Ara D. ended up with that in a big buzz bomber. Great engines. Heavier than the newer counter parts, but really reliable
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Still trying to sort it out for my own info, but I found an eBayed NOS cylinder marked for an FA-40S.
And I found this MK III Hemi-Head, which appears to be the same as mine.
Apparently there were several versions of the MK II series.
Are all FA series engines ringed?
Terry
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Terry - I had three of these and I believe I still have a new one left.
Regarding "HEMI", as far as I know, all the SAITOs have hemi heads.
This particular SAITO was my first 4S engine and it was a very user-friendly and smooth powerplant.
I had it on my Euclid which is a very slightly enlarged Sig Chipmunk.
Throttle wired wide open, no modifications (it would probably have benefitted a bit from Bob Reeves excellent intake modification)
Total weight was around 50 ounces and it would do the entire pattern with no problems.
I did win a few firsts in intermediate and advanced.
The fuel that worked best was 20% nitro, 50/50 castor/synthetic, 11-8 Master Airscrew prop.
If you use it, make sure it has plenty of cooling air as it tends to run a bit hot. Also, make sure it breathes outside air - it likes cool intake air.
It met its demise when I belled it in in the bottom of the hourglass. When the engine hit, it tore the lugs off the case!
It's a good engine - give it a try.
Bob Z.
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Thanks for the reply, Bob.
I do have a rebuildable Cardinal and Pathfinder which might be suitable, so flying it isn't out of possibility.
No problem w/castor gumming or build-up?
I think Bob Reeves cautions against castor.
Terry
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Terry - the SAITO 40 should work well on the Cardinal or Pathfinder.
I also had mine on a Brodak P-40 and it was a great combination. It's a bit heavy so I pushed it back around 1 1/4 inches.
When I used the castor/synthetic blend, that was around fifteen years ago.
I have never had a 4S engine gum up but I have heard from numerous sources that it's better to use a higher synthetic content (maybe 18/2) as the small amount of castor will proved good long-term corrosion protection.
Bob Z.
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Thanks, that accords with what I've read, Bob.
Maybe the Cardinal or Pathfinder will go on the "winter build list". :)
If the one you still have is a MK III, do you have the manual for it?
Copy, per favore?
Terry
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With a bit more searching I found these, so I have the information I wanted.
The FA-40 MK III and FA-45 MK II are the same except for displacement.
Thanks to all for your interest and input.
Terry
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A further note -
There is also an FA-40S (maybe not sold in the U.S.) that's basically the FA-40 MK 3 with a high-lift cam, reportedly adds ~1K rpm.
Turns out it's a fairly simple upgrade, basically replacing 2 parts.
Parts available here:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/cam-gear-housing%3Ab-d-e-aa-ii-jj-sai5033a
And here:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/cam-gear-right%3Ab-df-r-s-aa-iijjkk-sai5035
Other sizes were available in an S version and upgrades on non-S versions of those sizes are likely as simple.
Terry