Hi All,
Ran in this Thunder Tiger F-54 S engine on 15% pink with an 11x5 prop on the bench as in the instructions. Also, the instructions said to open the main needle about 2.5 turns rich for run in and on about the third tank of fuel begin to bring it in to its normal setting. Well I found that the normal setting was not a lot less than 2.5 turns out, say 2 and 1/4.
That was fine and I installed the engine into the model but next time I tried to run it it wants about 3.75 turns out to run properly. Surely this cannot be right. I have never heard of a needle so far out? I'm using the correct glow plug, a 11 x 5 or 11 x 6 prop, 15% fuel, the mid range is adjusted correctly for snappy throttle up, tank in the plane is fine in all aspects. I checked the valve clearances and even popped off the head to have a peep in but no difference.
I even returned the engine to the bench with the bench tank etc to try to simulate the 2.5 turns condition but no go, still 3.75 or so. This cannot be the correct setting as the instruction manual calls for 2.5 as being rich for run in!
Can F-54S users tell me what is the setting on their engines and why you think this engine is at 3.75?
Thanks.
Declan.