1200SportsterRider

Oh ye of little faith.

thefastfred

GlowGeek, needs 100 grams... thats in the flight weight. The manual says 125 to 150... 4 stroker... FA180 be sweet. Is the case larger?? that could be an issue. What's the largest motor with the same case size?? 150 ??

Glowgeek

The FA180 shares the same case size and mounting pattern as the FA120 & FA150. The 180 weighs virtually the same as the 150 but makes a butt-tonne more power, so I never install 150's. The 150 and 180 outweigh the 125 by approx 200 grams.

Where that 100 grams of nose weight was added to balance for the 125 comes into play here. For instance, if the weight was added to the very front of the cowl, and/or with a heavy spinner or brass spinner nut, installing a 180 may not change the CG much once that extra weight is removed.

As a general rule 4 strokes sound much better cruising around at 1/2-3/4 throttle than running balls out all the time. They last longer that way too.

thefastfred

Glowgeek,
im a have more power guy... I saw a 180 black knight for sale... good choice?? how do i know the difference between a 150 and a 150A or is there such a thing??

Glowgeek

Yeah, the GK's "Golden Knights", sometimes mistakenly called "Black Knights", are pretty. Generally they carry a higher price tag, both new and used. There is no difference in performance between the GK's and the natural finish engines.

The 150 and 180 both came in A and B versions. The case was changed in the cam box area. A and B versions run the same.

As it is, the resale value of Saito engines is pretty good. That FA125 will bring approx $150 shipped on the resale market if it's in good shape.

Glowgeek

more power! :d

the Wasp

My Feedback: (1)

oops

1200SportsterRider

Saito 150-B

Saito 150-A

1200SportsterRider

There are also two 125's.

125 on the left and 125 -A on the right.

Glowgeek

Yep, the 125A got the same case/cambox design as the 150B & 180B. To make things even more confusing there is a 56A and 56B, no change in the case and the changes to the cambox are not visible from the outside. It's only when you try to install a 56B cam into a 56A that you realize.....oh shltty it no fitty!

Hyjinx

Maybe gun blueing. Did it on not rolled sheet on a range hood I made for my wife's kitchen remodel. Looked great. Maybe a funky kind of look on aluminum, or pot meatal if it's not pure aluminum.

Jesse Open

While not the same plane, certainly quite similar:
My old Pica kit built 1/5 Waco. Sporting a 72 inch wing and tipping the scale at 14-1/2 pounds dry,
Originally powered with a Saito FA180 but that was for one day. I had picked up a FA-150 and decided the P-40 I was putting together woyld be a better match for the 180 and the high drag Waco would scarcely miss the extra power.
The FA-150 was indeed a fine match for the Waco. Little doubt that the Stearman would be quite similar.
Also little doubt it would fly nicely with the 125 .

But, looking at the all-up tonnage when carrying that load of liquid smoke.......
.......An FA-180 could be very handy.

And the 125 may even be downright anemic.


I believe that upgraded fat fin 125 may have been due to anticipation of the FG version.(?)

Glowgeek

So it would seem. Interesting though that the 125A and FG20 don't carry the same cylinder part number. Something is different, I have no idea what it might be, have never had an FG20 in hand.

The FG21 carries a different cylinder part number than the 125A and FG20 but it has at least two notable differences, larger bore and bronze valve seats.

Of the gas to methanol conversions you've done, have they all been FG20's?

thefastfred

Thanks all! And rally, rally nice bipe Jesse! I agree the 150 would fly it, but it be pushing the motor and all fulled up the take off would need to be long runway.. Should do OK without the smoke oil.. BUT I got it to do smoke trails and smoky loops.

Found a 180 Golden Night and ordered it last night…. We plan on a maiden this weekend, if conditions are good… slight breeze.. if not we’ll head to Okochobee where the filed is BIG…. Will keep you posted and thanks ALL for the guidance.

Glowgeek

Great news Fred, hopefully the 180 has smooth bearings and good compression when it arrives. Be sure to check the valve clearances before running it. They should be set to .002" with the piston at top dead center of the compression stroke. Wouldn't hurt to put a few drops of oil on the moving parts of the rocker arms while you have the rocker covers removed.

Good luck and happy flying,

Lonnie

Jesse Open

Thank you and good luck this weekend, should be a nice combo . The Stearman looks great.

Lonnie , also done a couple of FG-14 and an FG-11. The part number differences are no surprise but both use the new cylinder fin layout.

I have not actually checked but, I could easily believe the FG series use a lower CR. Timing changes alone may not be sufficient to run a high compression methanol engine properly on gasoline.

1200SportsterRider

I spruced up the black and white LT 40 a little. The Tru-turn 7 x 1 adapter will be here in a couple days. They still have stuff.

Glowgeek

That LT40 looks mean with that Saito sticking up out of the hood.

1200SportsterRider

The 62 is the most power I've had on an LT 40.

PS, I found an image of a Saito 56-B on an old Horizon page. https://www.horizonhobby.com/product.../SAIE056B.html

Saito 56-B. Engine code BV

Glowgeek

Nifty looking little thing.

I flew my LT40 on the Fox 40 it came with. It flew ok but I couldn't keep the old engine tuned. Replaced it with an OS 46AX which woke up the LT40. Much more fun to fly, until a radio problem augered it in.

Based on other planes that I have flown with both, the 46AX and Saito 62, I'd say they are fairly equal in fun factor.

Jesse Open

Double

1200SportsterRider

I just ordered the cylinder in the link https://www.horizonhobby.com/product.../SAIE056B.html I'll have another 56.

Jesse Open

Just loaded the old kit-built, tail dragger LT-40 into the car. It has spent most all of it's life as a float plane flying from the local lakes.


This methanol disposal unit has a Saito FA-72 on the nose swinging a 13-6 APC.


Today it will be flying over the cornfields a few miles north of here. Should get at least two hours on the clock, maybe three if the electric guys stay home!

Glowgeek

YEAH! Now you're talking my language.

I tached a recent FA72 overhaul just yesterday. 10250 with an APC 13x6 on 15%. The 72 loves the APC 13x8 as well. Great for .46 sized warbirds.

I hope the volt jockeys aren't out there so you can have a wonderful day of flying.

Edit: Corrected typo

Jesse Open

Very windy today,very windy! Got to be the one and only flyer at the field. Managed to get in 11 flights at 15 minutes each. With 25 to 35 mph winds the flights even seemed l o n g e r!
Had a load of fun, even the Bald Eagle came by to have a look at the white, red and black "bird".
Plane flew great, needs bigger wheels and taller gear. Grass is getting pretty tall mowing pretty shabby. Tail up touch and goes get a bit draggy on the prop.

The new "Owner" of the field is a jet fanboy, only concerned with his fabric runway. As long as all the holes have duct tape, all is good.