Sullivan Starter Insert #S634 OK to use on 1/2A spinner nut?

Dave Rigotti wrote:Has anyone used the Sullivan Hi-Tork starter insert #S634 on their 1/2A spinner nuts?  Yes? No? Any good?



Dave Rigotti

Hi Dave, I haven't.. and am not familiar with any of the Sullivan electric starters.. but many of our members here on the forum have mentioned using the Sullivan 1/2A starter.

My advice for using any electric-assist starter for 1/2A would be to go easy. Resist the temptation to crank until you here combustion. Squirt a few drops of light-oil between the propeller drive-plate and crankcase.. prior to applying any force to the spinner. Doing so will prevent the "premature" wear on the front of the crankcase.. as well as other eventual internal engine wear. I generally apply short/quick "bursts" when engaging the starter Dave. Not too much more than a good healthy "spring-starter" would yield. This helps to avoid any user-induced friction on the engine.

I personally use an electric-starter for my Cox .049 reed-valve engines.. but my starter is a homemade one. I use a little "540" (brushed) can-motor to drive a short (1" long) pc. of 3/8" rubber automotive fuel-tubing.. which faces-up perfectly with the Cox .049 Tee Dee-style aluminum spinner.

A few short-bursts on my elec. starter usually gets them going.. providing the glow-head is lit.

It's great to talk about this stuff. We need to keep the IC model engine torch lit fella's.