Fitting a 231 into an older xcell gasser

[James]

Man, I didn't realize how much "joy" it was going to be. I am replacing a very "testy" G-23 with a 231 engine. I also chose to upgrade the fan and clutch stack with bergan parts, as the old 23 shroud wouldn't fit and this is going into a scale heli, I need better cooling. Here is the LATEST issue I am having, looking for suggestions.

Coil mounting in the stock 231 location will require the MAJORITY of the frame on that side to be cut away. What item is available OR what/where should I relocate it to?

James

[carey shurley]

the coil should mount on the left lower frame, in the back. It requires a couple of brass spacers and longer bolts. There are holes predrilled to accept this.

The plans are not on the MA site and Ron Lund's version doesn't contain a picture of exactly where it mounts. John Garst still has one of these models so he may be able to point you to a photo that shows where it goes.

[James]

Thanks, Carey:

I'll ask Bill Meador for Johns' phone number.

I ASSUME that you run a grounding strap from the relocated coil to one of the original mounting points to complete the loop?

I guess I can make some spacers on my lathe. Shame my smallest OD is 1.625 on the stock I have here....

[carey shurley]

the original kit did not include one, because the bottom bolt, the one that tightens against the copper plate on the coil, bolts into the rear engine support, which bolts to the cylinder head.

In practice however, between the anodizing and corrosion, the connection eventually got poor. So the best practice is as you said to simply run a grounding strap from the coil to either the bolt on the rear mount, or to one of the threaded holes on the crankcase itself.

[carey shurley]

Bill may still have an X-cell gas graphite somewhere in his work room, so he may be able to answer your question outright.

[Billme]

Manoman, I still have my Xcell:)
Knock out some brass blade bolt spacers is all you need to mount the coil..Lower left frame is the stock position...
Been real busy folks, just wanted to say hello to all my gasser friends out there:)
Give me a call sometime Carey.
Bill

[bigrcr]

Bolt the grounded ear of the coil into the lower hole that goes into head mount block and then swing the coil so that the other ear matches the hole in the frame straight up the the side frame. Use the brass spacers that Bill spoke of (you can use some K & S brass tubing as well) to stand the coil away from the frames a small amount. Use a ground wire if you wish, I never had to use one.

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