I'm looking for a used OS 46.Can any one tell me what the letters after the size are? i.e. AX FX LA...what do theses mean...thanks

The LA is the economy engine with bushing bearings instead of a ball bearing crank and a air-bleed carburetor. It replaced the older FP line of engines and differs from the old FP engines mostly by having a rear mounted needle valve. It's not as powerful as the FX and AX engines.

The AX is the more powerful ball bearing engine with a two needle carburetor and rear needle. It replaced the FX which was very similar to the AX.

I have no idea what the letters actually stand for, probably nothing.

As far as my little knowledge is concerned LA AX FX are the version names which released by O.S in a period of time. LA is light powerful series than AX or FX. I have heard a lot of admiration about O.S but never had a chance to use it. My next engine would be O.S. , super tigre, thunder tiger and GMS. Saito is the choice for 4 stroke.

Regards

Mody

know anything about MDS engines??

From what I hear, MDS = garbage. I won't make any conclusions for myself, since I haven't run one. Some people say MDS stands for "Mostly Dead Stick."

-Mike

The only MDS I've had any experience with is a ringed .78 and I couldn't fault it. One flick starts at any throttle setting, the lowest idle I've ever seen (1400 revs) and it out-turned an Enya 80X on the same prop and fuel. The fuel BTW was zero nitro.

Don't forget those "Advanced Bi-metallic Liners!"[sm=lol.gif]

The larger MDS engines are SUPPOSED to be pretty good. The 46 (and smaller ) and many of the 61 are best used as door stops or fishing weights. Do a search here on MDS and draw your own conclusions on why ther are reffered to as: Metal Door Stops, Mostly Don't Start and Many Dead Sticks (those are the "nicer" comments about the smaller MDS (up to and including 46 and some 61 ).

On OS -

La is a bushed bearing engine, about 1/2 the power of an FX/AX.

FX/AX are ball bearing engines. Quite powerful (especially if the baffle in the muffler is removed ) and rear needle valve with a 2 needle carb. The AX is a direct replacement for the FX. The differences - AX has a plastic backplate and a 4 bolt head rather than the 6 bolt head. Both are very user friendly and typically run great right out of the box with minimal break in required.

You may also want to consider a Thunder Tiger Pro 46 (front needle valve ) and the Evolution 46NT. Both these engines are equal to an OS in power, durability and user friendliness but are noticeably less expensive in price. For a 4 stroke, spend the extra money and go with a Saito. My 3 Saitos have been trouble free, EXCELLENT running engines. YS are more powerful, but more expensive and do require a lot more "fiddeling" with to get running properly and keep running properly.

I believe that the .46 AX replaced the older .46 FX and the .46 FX is no longer in production. My experience with the older FX is very positive, powerful, one flip starts (electric starter? I don't need no estinking electric starter!!), and exellent idle and transition. I believe the AX should be just as good.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with a Super Tiger .45 and how it compares with the OS and TT .46's.

Thanks,

Jeff

Re: "Super Tiger .45" < some flyers who know the quirks of how to get the thing to keep running like them. The average flyer who wants to make a few quick adjustments and then have a great running engine won't be happy. ST engines also have a very rough finish on the carb barrel. The rough finish will suddenly dig in and grab freezing your throttle in one position. This can happen with no warning. I have seen it happen when the engine has burned less than 5 tanks of fuel. This can fixed if you remove the carb barrel and smooth off the barrel before the "barrel grabs" . Trying to get the barrel apart after it grabs can be a challenge. Power wise, the engine is similiar to the Thunder Tiger 42 GP which is a better engine and easy to tune. The larger Super Tiger engines have the same problems. Evo engines have issues as well. Some of them run great out of the box, and others have lots of problems. I think its a quality control issue. My first choice in the 40/46 size is OS but the Thunder Tiger engines ar a very close second. I think the OS engines have a bit of a power edge but you do pay for it.[8D]

On what planet????