Help for a newbie....

Howdy ya'l
I should change my handle to Old McCoy because I ask so many questions about this engine.
I had someone with more experence then me (does not take much) take a look at our flight streak and as he flipped the prop he said it had low compression. I thought it was a good runner. Starts kind of easy and keeps the plane in the air at a good clip.
Later I compaired it to the fox .15 that I got from a friend.
It is harder to turn thru then the .19.
I have seen and found the thread on growing the pistion. Is this something I could try with this engine? Or should I be looking for a overhaul kit of some type? Or just leave well enough alone?

Thanks
Paul

For iffy Redheads of any size, use a lot of castor. At least 25%, and Fox Superfuel-like 29% is even better. They like a little nitro, too, like 10%.

Once they have been run once, they will usually start OK. Worn ones tend to belch out a lot of backfired flamed fuel, though, so be careful.

A lot of my worn Redhead models have singed undersides.

IIRC, you have a Testors Series 21 "blackhead" 19, don't you? If so, it has a dykes ring doesn't it? If that is the case, the 19 will not appear to have much compression when flipped.

If you have a Red Head, disregard!! LOL!!!!

Bill <><

Yeppie!!! Yes I have the Blackhead with the rings, so I do not have to worry that it feels like it has little compression when you turn the prop. Thanks Bill!!!
Thanks
Paul

PS- after re-reading my post is sounds like my friend has just a tad more experence then me. Not true, he has been flying for 30+ years.
But not sure if he used any McCoys.

LAST EDITED ON May-02-04 AT 01:07 PM (CDT)
 
>Yeppie!!! Yes I have the Blackhead with the rings, so I do
>not have to worry that it feels like it has little
>compression when you turn the prop. Thanks Bill!!!
>Thanks
>Paul
>
>PS- after re-reading my post is sounds like my friend has
>just a tad more experence then me. Not true, he has been
>flying for 30+ years.
>But not sure if he used any McCoys.
>
>I am a retread, - I did C/L in my youth and did not know
>what I was doing then other then having fun. And not much
>has changed.

Ron B.
F4Fguy

The real problem area with the Testors McCoys,whether Red or Black, isn't the piston/bore wear.Main bearing and rod wear are the critical points.as long as the crank doesn't wobble when you shove it up and down,and the thing still starts and runs satisfactorily,leave it alone.It was never a world beater,but it's a good sport engine.just be sure to feed it plenty of oil,no more than 10% nitro,and keep it on the rich side.The best "hop-up"is to Dremel away all that excess weight you're carrying around in the form of crankcase fins.It won't run any better,but it will reduce the load.

If you do find it necessary to replace the ring,replace the piston too.If a dykes ring is worn,so is the groove,and a new ring alone won't seal well.

I use Fox fuel with 29% castor. The engine did not have a lot of run time on it when I retired it 27+ years ago. Bearing if fine.
I will leave well enough alone.

Thanks
Paul