Webra thread....

[Jim_Woodward at beaerospace.com]

Hi Bill,

Experiences like yours are not fun to go through.  In 2002 I replaced the 
rear bearing in a Webra 1.45R after 200 flights.  That life span is good 
for me.  I never ran the fuel out or used after run oil (living in high 
desert at the time).  Matt K. is now running the original 
piston/ring/liner from my first 1.45R.  I started using the Webra 160 with 
M/C carb 1 week before the 2004 Riverside, CA contest.  This engine has 
run so well for me day-in-out that I do not feel it necessary to convert 
to electric (given the full spectrum of equipment & price considerations 
at this time).  The engine has very little vibration and I've gotten quite 
used to not having to touch the engine when it is running to adjust it. 
The speed envelope of the plane can be customized to your flying style - 
once you learn the engine.  I think there is two pieces of advice that 
make a lot of sense when it comes to engine setups: 1.  Run what you can 
afford to replace, and 2. Run what you can get help with in the local area 
with other flyers.  In Lancaster, I had Jerry & Tony to help with my first 
Webra 160 setup.  Within 1/2 a tank from first flip I was flying the 
plane.  I've found that you need to increase the pump pressure by 1-2 
turns.

Best of luck,
Jim W.






"Bill Pritchett" <phelps15 at comcast.net>
Sent by: discussion-request at nsrca.org
08/02/2004 10:58 AM
Please respond to discussion

 
        To:     <discussion at nsrca.org>
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        Subject:        Webra thread....


All:
I have been "lurking" on this thread, and feel compelled to contribute - 
our list is a tremendous source of information, and in this case, 
"trends"..
 
-    when I returned to flying after a six year layoff, the two stroke 
motor was very attractive to me.  I really like "plug and play"..... the 
simplicity was simply overwhelming in my choice, even though the YS motors 
I used to run were, in looking back, "plug and play"...
-    I purchased the Focus ARF to quickly get in the air, and of course 
was exposed to the Webra option through the Piedmont setup by Lee Davis
-following nothing but problems with the Webra motors (two of them) I have 
come to the following conclusions:
 
1.    The Webra motor, when it is setup and working, is fine.  Problem is, 
for me it won't be for very long.  That's a real bother for those  that 
burn much fuel.  A pattern motor should get hundreds, not dozens, of 
successful flights before needing major work.....you know, having a prop 
spinning through completion of landing.  I use PowerMaster 15/16, OS F 
plugs, APC 17x12...typical setup!
2.    Webra needs to deal with the pump and rear bearings... the rear 
bearings seem to be the source of most all of my problems... when they 
start to go, particles of metal start ruining plugs and scratching the 
cylinder wall.  I have replaced one pump, and two bearings so far in two 
motors.  They are running fine for now, but again, I know that the 
bearings will soon be going south.
3.    Horizon is wonderful in support of the motor, but until Webra or an 
aftermarket company comes up with a sealed/stainless rear bearing, Horizon 
is swinging a "leaded bat".  The rear bearings and their very limited life 
span make it difficult in a typical pattern application....i.e. burning 
lots of fuel. 
4.   The pump seems to work fine as long as the rear bearings are good.... 
at least for me, the rear bearings have caused my problems..... the pump I 
replaced was done by Horizon because in frustration,  I totally took the 
pump apart, looking for anything.  Didn't find anything, but managed to 
destroy the pump.  I know why we aren't supposed to completely disassemble 
the pump - Horizon wants to send them back to Webra for evaluation, and 
when they are  not just taken off the back of the motor, that's not 
possible.  If you suspect the pump,  send it to Horizon.  My experience 
with the pump is pretty simple..... if you can make the motor rich, the 
pump is working just fine.  When it's working, all the mixture stuff is 
very easy to set....... and, I don't run the mixture control carb on 
either motor...
5.    I run the motor dry after use, and have used, and have not used 
after run oil.  If you fly a few times each week, I think our motors 
should do fine by just being run dry.....sure, oil 'em up for storage, but 
not to fly tomorrow! 
6.    I agree with those that suggest we shouldn't bang on a 
company.........some guys claim to have had no problems!  Trouble is, lots 
of people have..... As the owner of two motors, headers, and pipes for 
these, I'm in no hurry to trash them!  Quite the contrary, I am anxious 
for there to be a solution! 
Did I mention the rear bearings??  Seriously, that's the biggy for me.  As 
soon as I get the header I ordered from Karl Mueller, I will be flying 
with a new OS 1.40, EFI bearing set already installed.  The Webras will go 
in a drawer, pending bearing updates.  Based upon my experience and what 
I've seen as I've lurked on this thread, I'm going to call this whole 
thing with the Webras a trend.
 
Regards,
Bill
 
 
 
 
 
Bill Pritchett
765-744-9322

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