Made the leap to IC

Ok, the tightness at the top of the stroke is standard for an ABC engine. It looks as though a gudgeon pin circlip broke which has caused the scoring. In my opinion this engine will be very down on power and will be reluctant to idle very well. You should be able to find a piston and sleeve set on flee bay which will restore the power.

oh that's a shame..I agree with the others..it's scrap sadly although ripmax do still have a few Irvine spares...when your ready give me a shout, I'm sure I can find you a good engine, I've got a few oil soaked contacts!!!

It looks like my last post and Square's photo's crossed - I was typing as he replied, so my comments were superfluous!

I am pleased you made that decision. It is not just the possible loss of a model but any consequential damage as it hits (lands) that is of concern. I think you will do ok as a model flyer.

Flytilbroke wrote: I think you will do ok as a model flyer.

I hope so

Just for some context, I'm 44 now. I used to go to my local model flying field when I was my son's age (11) and wish I had my own to fly. I'm only now at a point in life where I have the money, space, and time to be able to get into this hobby. So I suppose that explains why when I went to the flying field aged 11, it was all "old" guys

squareflux wrote: I'm 44 now.

Still a whippersnapper then.[badass]
There has been so much bad press about MDS, I have a brand new MDS 40 here that I bought from Beard, many years ago. I never trusted it to a model, I've just checked it, I can turn the crankshaft with my fingers! I wonder if they didn't factory run them before shipping, so it's still got the original assembly oil in it. I would believe that the good manufacturers discard as many as 20% of production after test running.
You can buy any of the following with confidence, OS, Enya, Saito, ASP, Paw, SC and Thunder Tiger. Paul Heckles told me he only uses Magnum, uses them for a year and then chucks them.
For the President I would seriously look for a 46, they're generally on the same crankcase as a 40 and even a seriously second hand one will out perform a 40.

I'm watching an SC 46 on fleabay at the moment, as I was thinking a 46 would be better as well.

squareflux wrote: I'm watching an SC 46 on fleabay at the moment, as I was thinking a 46 would be better as well.

Good Lad, nice move.

I'd agree with Eric here. The Irvine .40 might struggle a little. The T180 is a large draggy model, and although it's undoubtedly a sound design which flies very well, it does need sufficient power. The one in my shed - from a deceased flyer's collection - has an Enya .53 four stroke, which flew it nicely, although did not have oodles of power to spare due to the bulk of the model. The sizeable cowl can kill a bit of the thrust from smaller engine/prop combinations. I'd go with something capable of turning a 12 inch prop with authority as a minimum. A large-ish draggy model with just enough power is not a good combination......

Thanks. I ditched the Irvine as the cylinder head bolt holes were cracked, and I'm now using an SC 46 that runs well on the test stand.

As I'm a beginner, I'm happy for it to be a slow and gentle flyer for now. My son will also be using it to learn. If I want a bit more speed, I can change the engine for something bigger later on.

Put the bigger engine in now, and use the throttle!
An underpowered model is going to be crawling around the sky on the ragged edge of stalling - not a good learning experience!
It's a bit like putting a car engine into a truck, and expecting it to go uphill!

Hmmm, time to get on flebay then. I visited a local club recently, and someone there that had a T180 grimaced a little when I said I was using a 46, and said it might be ok. Better safe than sorry I suppose.

There were also some engines in the collection that the hobby shop as selling that I got the Aerovan from, so I'll pay them a visit later.

I was thinking following the chat here, to go for a 60 engine for my T180. The guy at the club I spoke to also mentioned that would be a better fit.

But would a Super Tiger G75 be too much? Got my eye on one, that's also got a dustbin exhaust to fit in the cowl.

Although I'm talking electric here, My old Tundra would leap into the air and go vertical for a long way on a 3S 2200 lipo. A new guy turned up at the club with an identical model, but he was using lithium ion batteries, same cell count, but lower voltage, roughly the same weight, same motor and prop.
I was asked to maiden it, and after the usual checks (left really is left, etc) it barely crawled off the ground at full chat - well down the runway (a bit like a Cessna 150 with a tub of concrete on board!) - the slightest hint of up ele and it put it's nose down!
After staggering it round the circuit, getting no higher than about 40 feet, I flopped it back onto the ground by throttling back a bit!
He was going to buy some lipo's!

Yeah, good point, and if I thought about it I've experienced the same with foam electrics I've built in the past. I couldn't work out why one always wanted to prop hang, until I changed the battery down to less power :lol:

I suppose it's just a question of fit and weight for the model.