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How to Build an RC Plane Engine

Making and flying remote control model airplanes is an exciting hobby for fans of aviation and those who enjoy building things. Most remote control airplanes are assembled from lightweight balsa wood, and can be built from kits or from scratch. After the body of the plane is assembled, the airplane's engine must be assembled and mounted into place. Remote control airplane engines are sold individually and may require some minor assembly prior to mounting them.

Things You'll Need

Screwdrivers
Wrenches
Hobby knife

Instructions

- 1
  Assemble the remote control (RC) airplane engine according to the instructions on its box. The vast majority of RC engines are built ready to install, but may have details to look after. You may need to remove the plastic or rubber flanges, covers or tape that were added to the engine to keep it secure in its package. Install the glow plug (you'll have to buy a glow plug separately) in the glow plug mount, usually found at the top of the engine. Install the glow plug by simply pressing it into the mount. In some cases, depending on the engine's manufacturer, you may also have to screw in the mixture screw to the location designated in the owner's manual and mount the carburetor by screwing it into place.
- 2
  Place the engine onto the four engine mounts you bolted onto your airplane's frame during the assembly process. Adjust the engine mounts if needed, then fasten the engine to the mounts using the mounting screws that came with the engine.
- 3
  Connect one end of a gas line hose to the designated area on the engine, then connect the other end to the airplane's gas tank.
- 4
  Place the muffler gasket against the mount on the engine and bolt the muffler into place. The muffler is typically located on the side of an RC airplane engine and usually held to the engine with two bolts.
- 5
  Connect one end of a muffler hose to the engine, then connect the other end to the airplane's muffler. The muffler hose is shorter than the gas line hose because of the muffler's close proximity to the engine.
- 6
  Connect the throttle linkage to the engine using the mounting pins that come with the linkage system. Depending on how advanced your model airplane is, you may have other linkages to attach. These linkages are like the throttle linkage and are long, arm-like devices that run between the engine and the servos located in the airplane's fuselage.
- 7
  Install the airplane's propeller and propeller spinner assembly by threading the propeller and spinner onto the mount that runs out of the front of the engine. Tighten the propeller and spinner with the appropriate nut or screw, depending on the manufacturer.

Aviation