Dooling 29 Engine

Hi Men, I was contacted by an old C/L flying high school buddy who is dropping out of r/c and wants to get back into C/L.
We flew in the 50's and he had an engine called a Dooling 29.
Dont remember what he used it in ,he is wondering what kit plane he can get to use it in. My guess is he had it in a popular profile of that era, but we both had senior brain failure.
Anybody have an idea as to what the Dooling can handle(he says its in excellent condition).
It was good to hear we have a new retread in the ranks,especially my old mentor.I was 14, he was 16, I think thing have evened out nowdays.
Any info welcome, Thanks, Jerry Bohn

Jerry: The lengendary Dooling was a purpose built racing engine. It really isn't suitable for any type of sport flying, unless you make some major modifications, like putting on any number of head gaskets, reducing venturi area, etc. And then you'd still be stuck with pretty aggressive timing. Maybe a sleeve lowering might be in order, too.

But...but...having said all this, there still were some adventurous souls in CL's early days that took these and other racing-type engines essentially unmodified and successfully flew them on early stunt models.

Expect to pay a lot for one. I'd say a good used one on ebay is around 3 Bills.

My advice to your friend: start out with a modern or at least available sport/stunt engine, and go from there. Like an OS FP, Fox, etc.

Hello....Your Dooling .29 was a premier .29 racing engine of its day. The McCoy .29, Dooling .29, and some upgraded K&B rear-rotor engines were the backbone of the racing .29's. You might tell your friend that he should look into the antique engine market to get an appraisal on his engine. I have a Dooling .61, miassing a couple of parts, that I have been offered $300 for, in its present condition. (Non-running) Save the engine as a valued antique, and invest in a good, tuned stunt engine of a suitable size for your preference of flying. Your friends Dooling .29 is probably worth over $250 in running condition. Just thought you'd like to know.
Chuck Potts, in Mobile, Alabama

I only saw them in speed ships. Don't run it. Put it on e-bay and make a thousand. Big bucks on that board. Actually put it for sale on this board. Advise him to go with a nice Fox .35 and start back with a profile such as a Flite Streak. If he doesn't get dizzy, then he's still young. I get dizzy, and I'm old. Too much sea duty and wild women. My story and I'm stikin to it.

Agree completely about the Dooling. Get something replaceable to fly. If you really have to fly the Dooling, put it in something that just flies level, like a Vintage B Team Racer. It's a short stroked screamer, so it isn't even very suitable for that.

Ty, if you were a around a lot of noise in the Navy, you might have inner ear damage that will always make you get dizzy when flying. I would just not fly level anymore than I had to. Steve

I'll enter the dissenting opinon.
Put it in something like a Zilch X and FLY it, they are a joy.
Motors were meant to be run, and airplanes to fly...
None of the stuff we have will last forever, old OR new, so use and enjoy it while you can.
Value is what someone else will pay to get it. A nice Dooling .29 will indeed bring over $250, however that depends on finding Mr. Buyer.
The way things are today, I'd use the motor prudently and take special care of it, the same way I do my Ollie Tigers, (which are equally irreplaceable).

JAK

>We flew in the 50's and
>he had an engine called
>a Dooling 29.
>Dont remember what he used it
>in ,he is wondering what
>kit plane he can get
>to use it in. My
>guess is he had it
>in a popular profile of
>that era, but we both
>had senior brain failure.
>Anybody have an idea as to
>what the Dooling can handle(he
>says its in excellent condition).

The Dooling is a highly-prized collectors item, so bear that in mind, particularly since you can get a much more solid and much more replacable sport engine for $60.

Given that caveat, it has around the power of a modern 25, so anything that flies well with a new 25 will work with the Dooling. Sig Skyray 35, that sort of thing. Use something like a 10-4 prop. Don't be surprised of other old-timers treat you like you drew in eyebrows on the Mona Lisa, however.

It has around the power level of a Fox .36XBB or an ST G21/.35BB, or in other words slightly ABOVE that of a modern .25 schnuerle. It is a neat motor, but I'd still run the heck out of it if I were the owner; he will get memories that will last a lifetime, (and might be passed on to the next generation), whilst if it just sits there you get; "well it is neat to look at, but SO WHAT?"
Grins,

JAK

Brett is absolutely correct; run a flat pitch prop, and keep the rpm up were the motor is happiest. It will NEVER run a 4-2-4 (NOT needed for Stunt anyway), and if you are at all concerned about it, trade or sell it, buy a modern OS Max .25 (or similar) , and fly and don't worry about it!

JAK

Thanks for all the info,passed it on to my buddie,sounds like he is going to have a fast Nobler or T-Bird. He is close to sixty but also drives a Harley,and he always has had a good quick mind.
Hope the mind and engine run like they used to!

They are probably both still sharp. You have to use what you have, or else it rusts and/or rots away. If you cannot, or will not, then hand it off to someone else who can or will. Age means NOTHING. You can be 90 in physical years, and 20 in your heart (which is what REALLY matters). I note Dick McCoy is now 94, and just recently remarried.
I still ride bikes and fly C/L, I have gone down, and gotten HURT a BUNCH of times, but I am still up, and still riding, and flying!

JAK

I've had many, many Dooling 29, in fact I still have 2. For many, many years they were a top speed and racing engine and in speed we would run 7/9 props and 29 racing something like an 8/8 with pressure fuel systems. However, if you install a spraybar, needle valve assembly such as K&B or ST and install a 9/6 prop put it in a Ukey 35 as I did last year, they make a neat stunt engine but it would be a shame to drive it into the dirt and ruin it so I was pretty careful not to crash. They are a beautifully made engine in fact the machining was so nice there is no gaskets in the engine whatsoever; today, the engine is worth around $250 so I recommend you mount it on a stand and look at it.

....Don't be surprised of other old-timers treat you like you drew in eyebrows on the Mona Lisa, however.
>> Brett

Well put, Brett. I like that!