How Long Will They Last?

[CSweatt]

I Have a Thunder Tiger .46 That i have been flying and has about 2 gallons through it. I know with my car engines that 2 gallons worth the motor would be almost done. needing a rebuild. I know this is not the case with it as it still runs way to good. As a General rule how long will a 2 stoke engine last and as well as a 4 stroke before needing a rebuild?
thanks

[bigedmustafa]

A properly tuned glow engine (2C or 4C) that is run slightly rich with the proper fuel and oil content can last for 100 gallons or longer.

[tandemairbike]

I Have a Thunder Tiger .46 That i have been flying and has about 2 gallons through it. I know with my car engines that 2 gallons worth the motor would be almost done. needing a rebuild. I know this is not the case with it as it still runs way to good. As a General rule how long will a 2 stoke engine last and as well as a 4 stroke before needing a rebuild?
thanks

2 and 4 stroke model engines will probably last longer in a correct airplane installation as better cooling is available behind that big prop blowing air over them.
Your car engines do not enjoy the same cooling even with a big heat sink head,thus, the engines have shorter useful life between overhauls.
Fuel mix also makes a difference and anything that allows the engine to operate at a higher temperature will shorten engine life.

[Chip Morrison]

Also, the environment of use is quite different. Close to the ground like a car engine means lots of dust and dirt are sucked into the engine. Up in the air, there is much less of that stuff floating around. If there is a lot of stuff in the air, it is too windy to fly anyway.

A properly broken in engine will last a very long time. You will probably crash the airplane before you wear it out, so you will get to use it again in another airplane.

Cheers,

Chip