I'm looking for a used .46-.62 or something of that size used engine. How much should they be costing me? I called my LHS and they had an MDS .46 for $50. Where do ya'll usually buy used engines? I'm trying to get a used one to use on a SPAD that I want to build. Thanks in advance.

I guess you could look in the auctions and classified adds
within this site. Ebay would be another place to look.
I have never bought a used engine before and
probably never would. The engine is a critical part
of one success.

I've purchased 4 used and new engines on Ebay. I've paid as little as $26 for a "like new" O.S. 20 and as much as $45 for a new K&B .61. Right now through Tower Hobbies you can get a new Thunder Tiger GP.42 for $49. I just got one and have heard great things about these engines.

I've purchased a number of used engines. A couple from eBay, one from RCU, mostly at local auctions. I wouldn't pay much over 1/2 of the new cost unless the engine is obviously almost new.

I'd also steer clear of MDS engines (M)ultiple (D)ead (S)tick landings is what I've always heard. Stick with OS, YS, Saito, Thunder Tiger, Magnum, K&B (except the older 40's), and the new Evolution 46's are supposed to be great.
Dennis-

it depends on what engine you want. i assume you are looking at a two stroke. i would not reccomend mds engines i have heard nothing but trash about them. same with magnums. however, thunder tiger (tt) makes some nice ball bearing engines, and so does os. i would personally reccomend os though because their break in really consists of 2 tanks. after 2 tanks, they will be almost at their beak. within the next 5 tanks or so, you will notice very little change.

Just to clear the air about MDS engines. When they first hit the market, their carb was poorly designed and even more poorly made. But the rest of the engine is fine. Guys would replace the carbs and get a great engine out of it. MDS has now replaced the carb, and the new ones run well. If you have an old MDS, you can send it back and get a new carb for it. (I don't know if you can just mail back the carb). There is a visual way to tell one carb from the other, based on the throttle arm, but I always forget which is which.

The other engines mentioned are all good ones as well.

I've only bought 1 engine off of ebay, and I got a great deal, but I've seen many auctions go way higher than the engine was worth, so you want to watch out and not pay too much. The 1/2 street price rule is a good one.

How much are you looking to spend? You can get some great new engines for around $50 as stated. You can also get some higher end used for about the same price, but for the money, you are safer going with a new TT .46 or equiv and not the worry about getting someone elses junk. Sometimes you can steal a good used one pretty cheap, but sometimes it is just not worth it. Check the new ones and compare the prices on ebay and RCU and TR classifieds and don't be in a hurry. You will find a deal.

Ditto on the MDS. I have an older black head MDS 46 that has always given good dependable service and it is a real "stump puller" and idles great. The new carburetor (A2) has an aluminum colored throttle arm and the older one has a black arm.

If you are new to the hobby and have little experience with these small engines, stick with something new. I have bought several used engines at e-bay and have had nothing but good luck getting good performance at a fairly cheap price. However sometimes it took a little "tinkering" to get things right. If you are an experienced modeler and know engines, you can sometimes get a real bargain.

P.S/ After I wrote this post this morning, I recieved an ASP 30 four stroke in the mail that I bought on e-bay. I paid $75 total including shipping and a new glow plug. The engine doesn't appear to have ever been run or mounted. I mounted it on a test stand to begin break in. It started on the second flip and runs good and idles down to 3100 rpm. I think that is a bargain.

Sometimes you get a good deal on used other times not. New engines are not that expensive and is a good way to go. I buy used from a local club member who dabbles in merchandise and he will guarantee his used products. Got a crappy K&B .45 and he let me trade it for a Magnum .45 that screams. These forums go on and on about what is a good engine and what is bad. { Its that ford vs Chevy vs Dodge thing } so manufacture preference is definitely an opinion, In my opinion.