Webra thread....

Mon Aug 2 08:32:16 AKDT 2004

Vicente

At risk of starting a fuel war here, from my experience, Wild Cat fuel is 
the only fuel I absolutely would not recommend for anyone to use.  I 
started using the Wild Cat 20/20 a few years ago in my ST2300s.  This was 
fine.  I then started using it in my YS140FZ due to the fuel's cheap 
price.  Within 1 case the YS was totally gummed up.  The next week was 
contest and I sold my small YS inventory of parts pipe, header (s), 
engine, to Ron Ellis  - went 2 cycle and never turned back.  I think my 
first exposure to good fuel was when I borrowed some Power Master 20/20. 
My ST2300 ran so well, and turned so many rpms upon initial run up I 
thought it was going to explode!  After that I've been running Cool Power 
and love the stuff.  I've watched Jerry B. run Magnum in OS & Webra's, and 
his stuff pretty much always runs great.  If you could get, Cool Power, 
Magnum, or Power Master, I'd try those. 
Jim W. 

vicenterc at comcast.net
08/02/2004 11:50 AM

        To:     discussion at nsrca.org, discussion at nsrca.org
        cc:     Jim_Woodward at beaerospace.com
        Subject:        Re: Webra thread....

Jim:
Now, I wonder if fuel could be an issue.  I don't have Webras but I have 
OS 140 RX and Mintor 140.  In both engines I replaced the bearings after 
no more than 30-50 flights.  I replace the bearings with SS and have more 
than 10 cases after replacing bearings.  My experience with those two 
engines is very similar.  I am using heli wild cat fuel 20% nitro.
Vicente Bortone
-------------- Original message -------------- 

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" 
Sent by: discussion-request at nsrca.org 
08/02/2004 10:58 AM 
Please respond to discussion 

To: 
cc: 
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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