Welcome to Club SAITO !
08-05-2023, 03:47 AM
I never move them away from the front, no reason.
It's the rear mounted ones I have been moving, since 1979
My first Saito vent relocation from 1979 time period
It's the rear mounted ones I have been moving, since 1979
My first Saito vent relocation from 1979 time period
Last edited by Jesse Open; 08-05-2023 at 03:53 AM.
08-05-2023, 04:26 AM
I moved a vent from rear to front on one years ago. I sold the engine so I can't comment on it's effect on long term wear. Logic says it's a good idea to encourage oil migration through the cam housing as it's proven to be the area that suffers the most wear on Saitos.
The religious use of ARO after every flying session has proven to be at least equally important. I say "at least" because I have not moved the vent on any of my other rear vented Saitos and have had no wear related issues.
The religious use of ARO after every flying session has proven to be at least equally important. I say "at least" because I have not moved the vent on any of my other rear vented Saitos and have had no wear related issues.
08-05-2023, 06:23 AM
The vent relocation makes the after- run even more effective in many ways. The fresh oil goes directly to the cam and bearings, displaces the wet synthetic oil.
A long term payoff.
After several decades, with some very well used Saitos,and many comparisons to other folk's engines, even considerably lower time engines, I consider it well worth the effort.
Fresh oil goes in the front. I uncork the old rear vent while oiling the front to expel the wet old acidic synthetic out the back. Less trapped crap than when pushing from the rear forward to a dead end and relying on blender action for pollution dilution
A long term payoff.
After several decades, with some very well used Saitos,and many comparisons to other folk's engines, even considerably lower time engines, I consider it well worth the effort.
Fresh oil goes in the front. I uncork the old rear vent while oiling the front to expel the wet old acidic synthetic out the back. Less trapped crap than when pushing from the rear forward to a dead end and relying on blender action for pollution dilution
Last edited by Jesse Open; 08-05-2023 at 11:35 AM.
08-05-2023, 07:00 AM
I'll update you in few decades.
08-05-2023, 08:35 AM
Senior Member
Sorry, I meant I don't move them from the back plate, I've never had an issue with them there. My little rear facing vent makes the forward location less awkward.
Last edited by 1200SportsterRider; 08-05-2023 at 08:41 AM.
08-05-2023, 09:09 AM
Sure does Especially in tighter cowls.
90 deg elbow lathe turned from one piece of flat brass bar.
Especially in tighter cowls.90 deg elbow lathe turned from one piece of flat brass bar.
Last edited by Jesse Open; 08-05-2023 at 09:23 AM.
08-05-2023, 09:25 AM
The way I distribute ARO throughout the crankcase it doesn't matter where the vent is located. It gets to all the parts and then I run a starter for 4-5 seconds to blow everything out. Messy, but effective.
Time will tell if my ARO procedure alone will be sufficient. I've only been using that practice for 7 years. So far, so good......no beveled tappets, no dimpled cams, no bearing replacements and minimal valve lash adjustments.
I'll update you in few decades.
Time will tell if my ARO procedure alone will be sufficient. I've only been using that practice for 7 years. So far, so good......no beveled tappets, no dimpled cams, no bearing replacements and minimal valve lash adjustments.
I'll update you in few decades.
08-05-2023, 09:32 AM
The way I distribute ARO throughout the crankcase it doesn't matter where the vent is located. It gets to all the parts and then I run a starter for 4-5 seconds to blow everything out. Messy, but effective.
Time will tell if my ARO procedure alone will be sufficient. I've only been using that practice for 7 years. So far, so good......no beveled tappets, no dimpled cams, no bearing replacements and minimal valve lash adjustments.
I'll update you in few decades.
Time will tell if my ARO procedure alone will be sufficient. I've only been using that practice for 7 years. So far, so good......no beveled tappets, no dimpled cams, no bearing replacements and minimal valve lash adjustments.
I'll update you in few decades.
08-05-2023, 10:37 AM
I can hope for you to still be around.
At seven years for his oldest, there is no way I will be around when his stuff becomes as old as my stuff
Heck, you guys will all be speaking Chinese by that time!
Anyhow, Primarily improved oiling when running. More effective after run oiling is just an added bonus.
At seven years for his oldest, there is no way I will be around when his stuff becomes as old as my stuff
Heck, you guys will all be speaking Chinese by that time!
Anyhow, Primarily improved oiling when running. More effective after run oiling is just an added bonus.
Last edited by Jesse Open; 08-05-2023 at 01:11 PM.
08-05-2023, 04:16 PM
You may be correct on more effective oiling while running, using a front vent. Doesn't matter where the vent is located with regard to ARO. All the ARO goes in and out of the same vent, regardless of where it's located. Now, if a fella was to add a front vent to inject ARO and expell it through a rear vent......and then plug the rear vent while running I can see an advantage.
08-05-2023, 06:38 PM
Yes, exactly as I have been doing. I plug the rear during the run, unplug to expel waste oil during ARO introduction.
Replace and displace.
Not just dilution of the pollution
Replace and displace.
Not just dilution of the pollution
08-17-2023, 03:14 AM
Senior Member
Lonnie and I had discussed this Ghost at OSMW and whether the the flaps were imbedded or sat on the lower surface of the wing.
As a 46 two stroke rated kit, it could use a Saito 50 perfectly. It can be equipped with a neat, "drop box" and flaps can be added after construction.
As a 46 two stroke rated kit, it could use a Saito 50 perfectly. It can be equipped with a neat, "drop box" and flaps can be added after construction.
Last edited by 1200SportsterRider; 08-17-2023 at 03:28 AM. Reason: Add image
08-17-2023, 05:27 AM
Since it looks like you have separate aileron servos you should be able to program flaperons if you have access to a secondary aileron channel in the Rx.and your radio system has that capability. Along with several other mods I found this particularly useful with my last Eagle II on floats as it lowered the stall speed considerably.
Note that if flaps fully down you should no longer have any down deflection when asking for right or left bank, but the act of lifting the other aileron does more than enough to ensure adequate control.
Note that if flaps fully down you should no longer have any down deflection when asking for right or left bank, but the act of lifting the other aileron does more than enough to ensure adequate control.
Last edited by Cougar429; 08-17-2023 at 05:33 AM.
08-17-2023, 05:31 AM
I have not had the chance to finish the Pitts Python yet and wanted to ask what might be the best 3-blade prop for the 150. I currently have a wide-chord 16/8 Graupner. These are a bit heavy, but extremely stiff.
08-17-2023, 08:47 AM
Senior Member
Thanks, that's a great looking float or pontoon plane. I don't have the Ghost kit, (yet)
As to the 150, I have flown mine on a Goldberg Tiger 120 and a Grey Graupner 15 x 8 three blade. As I remember it the rpm 8,800 ish and a very smooth turning combo. The Graupner had enough heft to tame the 150's slightly violent nature.
I always liked their look.
As to the 150, I have flown mine on a Goldberg Tiger 120 and a Grey Graupner 15 x 8 three blade. As I remember it the rpm 8,800 ish and a very smooth turning combo. The Graupner had enough heft to tame the 150's slightly violent nature.
I always liked their look.
Last edited by 1200SportsterRider; 08-18-2023 at 02:35 AM. Reason: Add image
08-17-2023, 10:13 AM
I've always liked the Graupner, and though getting harder to find, try to grab one when I see them advertised or at swap meets. Better performance than MA, and true their extra mass seems to smooth things out a lot.
08-22-2023, 09:18 AM
Dave, per our phone call:
I just broke my last driver tip trying to remove a rocker pin on my 180, so I was unable to measure the push rod length. BUT.....I dug all the way down to the bottom of one of my used Saito parts boxes and guess what I found? Yep, a little bag of 120 fathead parts! In the bag was two 61.70mm long three-piece pushrods. Hallelujah, I can get the Fathead up and running........on methanol first, then on GAS, of course.
I just broke my last driver tip trying to remove a rocker pin on my 180, so I was unable to measure the push rod length. BUT.....I dug all the way down to the bottom of one of my used Saito parts boxes and guess what I found? Yep, a little bag of 120 fathead parts! In the bag was two 61.70mm long three-piece pushrods. Hallelujah, I can get the Fathead up and running........on methanol first, then on GAS, of course.
08-23-2023, 02:19 AM
Senior Member
Hooray, I did some digging and that engine has a 2.9 cc combustion chamber yielding a 7.9 to 1 compression ratio, (full stroke), it should be very friendly. While measuring some of those pushrods I got try those new Wiha screw drivers. They worked very well.
The 120 Fathead is a great looking prime mover.
The 120 Fathead is a great looking prime mover.
Last edited by 1200SportsterRider; 08-23-2023 at 02:26 AM. Reason: Add image
08-23-2023, 02:57 PM
Yeah they are! That one appears like new. I gave away all of my 120 Fatheads a couple years ago. Sent out a lot of parts too at the same time.
That extra cooling area is just the ticket for a gasper . The early carb is also real gem when in the right hands. I have kept several of those carbs on hand.
Here is my third or fourth Saito from a few decades ago. Not quite as beautiful, but it has done dozens of hours upon hours of beautiful flight. Just "freshened up" for it's next tour of duty.
Last edited by Jesse Open; 08-23-2023 at 03:23 PM.
08-23-2023, 05:42 PM
With careful examination and refreshing of critical parts the old girls will perform for years to come.....doesn't really matter what they look like. That said, that golden night's appearance after so many years if faithful service is why I lean towards the natural finish.
08-23-2023, 06:48 PM
Likewise!
But it was pretty for the first twenty years
A good percentage of that being float planes.
But it was pretty for the first twenty years
A good percentage of that being float planes.
Last edited by Jesse Open; 08-23-2023 at 06:53 PM.
