Baby spitfire nitro engine question?

[Rc high flyer]

Recently I was in my grandparents basement and found a old control line nitro rc plane. The plane was totaled from the box being crushed but I salvaged the engine and the fuel tank. I actually Found a extra glow plug. The engine was seized but I was able to get it fee by using some wd-40 after that I soaked it in some nitro fuel. So my question is can you start a nitro motor with out a propeller. Because I want to see if the engine will run before I spend money on a wood propeller. And do you guys have any advice on these small engines. I know a far amount on how a gas engine works but nothing about nitro other than the glow plugs go bad often.

 

[Rc high flyer]

I found a fly wheel for the motor so i am going to use that. I read that the piston needs wieght to complete the stroke. So you either need a fly wheel or a propeller.

 

[BobK]

Can you post a picture of that engine? I was going to say you shouldn't try to start it without a prop, I am curious about the flywheel you found, if I am right that is made to wrap a string around to make a pull-start. Do you have a glow driver?

 

[Rc high flyer]

Okay, here are a a couple pictures . I do not have a glow driver but surprising enough I also found the Manuel for the engine and it said the glow plug runs on 1.5 volts so I put two D size batterys in parallel and put alligator clips on the end. I tried starting the engine with string but it did not start. I used my finger and it started right away. I might try starting it with string again in the future. Also do you know of any good glow drivers for this small of a engine I would like to get one because the glow plug runs the battery down fast. thank you for your help.

 

[Paul-H]

Any of the current crop of Glow drivers will work as the voltage requirements of modern glow Plugs is still 1.5v

fitting a small prop will make flick starting easier and stop the motor over revving to destruction.

Paul

 

[BobK]

Nice, it is the engine I thought it was but not the flywheel, this is the flywheel I was talking about..it has a groove for a string.



Nice shape, cool find. I was worried about over-revving also and agree adding a prop is the thing to do. I think this dates to late 40's, maybe early 50's.

 

[SmilingDevil]

...I also have one of those old Motors in my basement (it's labled "Tornado, or Hurrican or such), make Sure to put a prop on, otherwise it will over rev and secondly, what else would cool it while running?

Secondly, (at least mine is) it might not use the regular methane fuel, (with a glowplug) but something that ignites because of the combustion, kind of like a diesel.. those engines were pretty common in the 50s.. and they kick like a mule, when you start that, make sure to use a stick or such instead of finger for hand starting that.

but your's looks like it already has a glowplug, so maybe you are safe there

Good luck

 

[Rc high flyer]

okay so I know it runs so I will buy a prop for it thx. but I am having trouble finding a prop that is small enough and ment for gas engines.

 

[BobK]

Where are you looking?

http://http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0091p?&P=SM&C=QBC&V=MAS

 

[Rc high flyer]

i have been searching 5x3 gas propellers.

 

[BobK]

Does that link I posted work? It isn't working for me now that I am on my phone. Tower hobbies has the props you need in a few different brands. APC and Master Airscrew 5x3 props, some are called free- flight props.

 

[Rc high flyer]

yes thank you for your help, I might make a video of it running soon with a propeller.