[quote="pdb"]Lee:
Thanks for the help. Its now all clean, oiled, and reassembled and resting comfortably in a sealed glass jar, free from dirt or moisture. The Combat Cat is only a couple of hours away from flying status but I might throw together the Mustang first. It will be a bit easier to fly, the rust, such as it was, is off the engine but not me, yet anyway.
I am about to leave on a business strip but when I get back, the first order is to mount it on a board and fire it up.
Pete[/quote]
Way to go Pete!
I am a big fan of McCoy Red Heads and have refurbished several.
First congratulations that you did NOT use WD 40! In the future you can use afterrun oil, Marvel Mystery or airtool oil. The Airtool oil works very well as it is designed to resist moisture.
One of the key elements to a fine running McCoy is the little "button" that is stuck in the hole that runs through the rod pin on the crankshaft. If this is missing you will never hold a needle setting if it will run at all.
The cylinder to case and, if it has a non metalic head gasket, the Perfect brand gasket material is the best thing (it is 1/64" thick) for the backplate gasket you can use a manilla or brown kraft envelope. cut around the round part of the backplate, punch through the screw holes, install on engine, then trim the excess around the case/plate with very sharp exacto or straight razor blade.
It sounds like you have this one pretty well ready to go, but if you want to take it to the next level of reconditioning use Plasticote Ford Red engine paint for the head. 4-40 x 1" & 4-40 x 1/4" cap screws for the phillips head replacements. If you want more info you can send me a PM from this forum and also join the fun at
www.clstunt.com/htdocs/dc/dcboard.php
If that Sterling P-51 is mint in box it may be worth more as a collectable... But it sure would be a nice fit for the McCoy! build light!
keep us posted!