[k4cz0rpl]

Hey.
I am looking for some answers and small help with my build.
This is my 1st airplane that need some work to be done but I am familiar with scale because before I flew GP yak 55M and members of the club help me to get some knowledge about builds and I spend lots of time to fixing it. (last year crashed )
Details about airplane can be found here:
http://www.rcguys.com/decathlon.htm

To make this easier for me and you guys I will upload some pictures.
So I bought this as ARF with most of servos installed and without engine.
Engine is GP36R.
As u can see in the pictures I am slowly getting this baby ready for season.
Engine is mostly installed but something do not let me proceed forward because Im not sure if engine has been installed correctly.
In airplane manual I cant find how far engine should be from firewall but because cowling is long i had to do some extra spacing between firewall and engine standoffs.Thats the piece of wood for extra spacing.U can see it in picture here:



Now there is enough (1/4-1/2 of inch from front cowling ) space to install propeller.
My biggest question is:After the engine is installed and airplane is in level (horizontal as in flight) - is engine should be in level to ;to the air frame?
Im thinking not because it should be a bit down and right due prop is moving
I will add that the piece of block that I installed as spacing have same measurement on each side.So thickness,length and height.
So picture from the top look like that:


Question 2:
Is this ignition module not installed to close to engine?I mean its hard to place is inside due very limited space on the tray.








I tryed to hold airplane in level and I used self leveling laser to see how engine is installed compare to air frame.

I would welcome and sugestions and help.
Im sorry if this is a bit overthinking but I dont want to lost airplane in 3s.
Thanks
Tomas

[Ronno]

Thomas ,I am currently working on the same airplane.
The firewall has the correct amount of down and side thrust already built in.
Just keep your engine square to the firewall.
There are a few in depth threads on this airplane and plenty of information to be had ie,
Some later kits had longer cowls ,some had incidence issues and needed roughly 1/4" of down elevator trim to fly level.
On mine ,I am 6 7/8" from firewall to prop drive plate.
I also made some changes to the front end to aid in cooling ,as is on yours there is very little area for the hot air to exit the cowl.

[k4cz0rpl]

Ronno thx for answer.
So I couldn't mount engine as urs to firewall because I would be around 1.1/4 inside cowl.
So thats why I need to add extra spacer (wood block).
I didnt thought about cooling yet so I will use ur method to do something similar.
How am I gonna check if engine is square to firewall.
If my block is square (all sizes are equal on each side) then it should be fine.Is it?

[Ronno]

As long as the block is the same thickness or the firewall side and engine side are parallel,you are good to go.
I could have used a block as well,,but I decided to make longer stand offs instead of using the ones supplied with the engine (DLE 35RA).
My cowl overlaps the firewall roughly 3/8" to 1/2"
Long story short,I bought the airplane from RC Guys two years ago ,it was one of the last three in stock.When I got it home I removed all the covering,changed the wing servo mounts ,added flaps,made the additional cooling changes to the front end,double beveled the stab and elevators for more surface deflection and re covered it in Ultracoat.(just finished the re cover yesterday)

[cassat]

Nice photos. I can see the right thrust angle built in. Also looks like 1 1/2 degree downthrust angle.

I had the same question about the ignition module picking up heat from the engine block. Even with extra cooling cut in the cowl bottom, is it ok ?
I guess the other thing is the ignition wire length is going to hang out the bottom quite a bit?

[Ronno]

On mine ,The cooling duct is removable so I can put the ignition behind the firewall under the gas tank.
I like to keep it away from the heat whenever possible.

[k4cz0rpl]

Im thinking to do same cooling as Ronno.Then maybe i will cover ignition modul in aluminium foil (same as for baking) -but i will need to do some testing.That is why i order digital thermometer to see temps.The wire for ignition is not a problem so I had similar idea as Ronno.Between muffler pipes and use zip lock to attached left over cable to firewall.
Cassat are u taking about my photos?
So u think angle is ok?