I would like to know which one to prefer if a non-ringed .61 engine(OS FX .61) or a ball bearing .61 engine(Tower Hobbies .61).

Go with the tower, great engine for low price.

Gil

Neither of these two engines is ringed. The OS is ABN (Aluminum piston,with a Nickle Brass cylinder) and the Tower is ABC (Aluminum piston, Brass liner w/ Chrome plating)

Both engines have a ball bearing supported crankshaft.

I vote for the OS because of my positive experience with their engines. Good quality and easy to operate. I have never owned a Tower engine so if you do a search on Tower in the glow engine forum you will know as much about them as I do. Maybe more.

Eric

i have a tower .46!!!.......GREAT engine go for the tower!!!!!

OS engines are known for their excellant quality and reliability. The Tower engines are less expensive and many people have good luck with them. So your question doesn't have a definitive answer. Paying more for a big name brand is a very personal decision.

Tom

Disregard the brand, will you go with a non-ringed engine or a ball bearing one.

I would go with os. They break in really quick because of the percision, I have never had a problem except with their .46 la. There is apparently something about that engine becaue i have heard other stories about it while the .40 has had good, but not excellent feedback. Go with the .61 fx. They are incredible engines. My fx has never died on me with the exception of an empty tank. Os engines also have great longevity. I know some guys at the field with the cheaper predecessor to the la series, the fp. One of them at the field is about 20 years old, and has not developed any blow-by.

I think you might be a little confused as to the terminology you are using. Ringed refers to a ring on the actual piston skirt to aid in compression. And ball bearing refers to the type of bearing on the end of the crankshaft. An engine can be either ringed or non ringed. And ball bearing or bushing for the bottom end. :rainfro:

Ok Fatcat but, mechanical wich one will perform better or is better, I just mention the brands as and engine example.

all the different ones will perform good if you have them tuned right, but the higher priced ones ( Bearings, ringed, etc) will last longer with the correct care. Remember, you usually get what you pay for.

Check out the April or May copy (I can't remember which) of Model Airplane News. They had a review of a BUNCH of .61 engines.

Pretty informative with a lot of comparisons on price/performance/reliability etc..

As has been explained, ringed engines and ABC-type engine derive their compression in different ways. Ringed engines use a compression ring, while ABC-type use the differing thermal expansion rates of different metals to provide compression. Generally ringed engines take a bit longer to break-in, and ABC-type take a bit more care to break-in. Ringed engines have a reputation for long life. There aren't a whole lot of ringed engines made anymore compared to ABC-type.

Ball-bearing cost slightly more than bushed engines. They've got a ball-bearing supported crankshaft, and all things being equal will provide better performance.

Irvine, OS, and Thundertiger all make great engines in my experience. Irvine makes the best in my opinion, but they are a tad bit more expensive. Stick with a big brand and you should be ok.

My 50 sx ringed took only 4 tanks before it was airworthy, and only 3 more until i could run 15% nitro with their #8 plug. Not too shabby. all os four strokes are ringed. It really makes all the dfference.