I know that around the time when glow plugs were first introduced ,a lot of engines that were previously spark ignition were converted overnight to glow ignition by the manufacturers. Some of these were apparently quite successful,others (like O&R)tended to be dangerous,
as they could (and would)fire the complete cylinder a 100 yards or so away from the rest of the engine. I have a couple of Twin Stack Torpedo 29's which were converted from spark,and these would seem to be pretty safe,as they have 6 bolt heads. What about however, the OK Super 60,which only has 2 short bolts holding the cylinder down - are these safe running on glow fuel? Thanks,BOB
I would think so, just use something like Fox Super Fuel.
Walter
I want to go the other way and convert a glow engine to spark ignition.
The Torps have 6 head bolts, but only 2 for attaching the cylinder to the crankcase. Actually, these 4-40 bolts will withstand a LOT of stress in tension. Unless the threads are bad, this should hold even for glo operation.
Floyd
>I know that around the time when glow plugs were first
>introduced ,a lot of engines that were previously spark
>ignition were converted overnight to glow ignition by the
>manufacturers. Some of these were apparently quite
>successful,others (like O&R)tended to be dangerous,
>as they could (and would)fire the complete cylinder a 100
>yards or so away from the rest of the engine. I have a couple
>of Twin Stack Torpedo 29's which were converted from spark,and
>these would seem to be pretty safe,as they have 6 bolt heads.
>What about however, the OK Super 60,which only has 2 short
>bolts holding the cylinder down - are these safe running on
>glow fuel? Thanks,BOB
Never heard anything about "dangerous". I had an O&R .29 glow that was one of the easiest starting, best running motors I have ever owned. It isn't the cylinder on these that was the problem- it's the shrink fit head. This could (and did) become loose if you ran it on anything but a high castor content fuel (low or no nitro).
The cylinder is spot welded in place and the beef here was it made the motor darn near impossible to overhaul.
I have never met nor heard of anyone being injured in such a "blow-up" as described and I would be much more concerned about some of the old props (particularly the nylon ones) than any old motor.
JAK
Fear not Bob, my OK "Super" 60 runs well on a long reach, hot glow plug without a sign of parting company with the cylinder, this is with a new piston and lots of compression, 25% castor, 10% nitro, only trouble is it uses twice the fuel that it does on spark with 3:1 petrol/castor. I find it easier to start on glow, the petrol burns off, leaving a surplus of oil to foul the spark plug.
Even if it did part company, think of all the stories you could tell about it
Cheers
David M
