049flyer

My Feedback: (18)

Picked up a new OK Cub reed valve .049 engine and decided to fire it up tonight. After about 2 hours of flipping I think I have discovered the problem, or one of them anyway!

I think I need to replace the reed. Looks like they are using an extremely thin piece of aluminum which seems way too pliable. The reed doesn't seal and fuel spurts out of the intake port on the back of the motor. I thought I would try to replace it with something better. Maybe mylar or some sort of plastic.

Any suggestions?

propjobbill

I would think you could use the same thing that is used on Cox reed valve engines. What I have found works great for me is the film sheets that overhead projector use. I cut a sheet up in strips about 3/4" wide. I then died them red with Ritz die so I could see them if I droped them . Just cut the film down with a pair of sissors to the size you need. On Cox I have had no problems at 19,000 rpm.

Some of the fliers use teflon, and you could also get thin brass sheets and make your own, but I like the plastic ones.

digital_trucker

Have an old computer floppy disk? The disk material makes good reeds from what I've heard.