ORIGINAL: jamie_duff

I have many O.S. Engines and I really like them mainly because of their tuning. You don't need to fiddle with them once they're set up.

Having said that, O.S.'s Engineer left and joined Thunder Tiger, so I've been told.

Also, according to our UK distributer, O.S.'s quality control has recently gone out the window, at least for UK imports. The engines we receive here often have some inexcusable quality control errors. For example, several shipments of O.S. 4-strokes arrived on UK shores with the valve timing set up wrong (cam assembled onto crankshaft gear using the wrong timing mark). The O.S. problems are so common here now that even the distributer's telephone receptionist knows the problems by the symptoms....

Several 2-strokes arrived at our LHS (owner is a friend) and were returned on warranty - totally wrecked due to swarf in the cylinder.

It's a real shame because I used to be able to buy O.S. with total confidence. Now I wouldn't touch them with a very long pole until I hear definate word that the quality is back.

I also like Thunder Tiger, Super Custom (decent value and pretty reliable so far - I have a SC .91 2 stroke in my P-47) and RCV (though wouldnt suggest RCV for a trainer).