Discussion came up yesterday at the swap meet about Super Tigres not being available. So what are the options? Sell them because you cant get parts(even Frank Bowman went out of business so no rings) or keep them and buy used engines for parts?

There are very few engine makers left now, and Super Tigre are no different, I will certainly keep my engines running for as long as I can...

Super Tigers are/were great engines, I'll keep mine running as long as possible and canabalize parts engine I can find. Hopefully they'll be back, but I'm not holding my breath.

Well, and what sucks is the Chinese parts don't necessarily fit the Italian engines. If you need a ring, you likely need to change piston and liners as well... Some parts may be compatible, but the distributor isn't gonna guarantee any fitment in older engines.

I'm pretty much done buying ringed engines. I'll keep most of the ones I have, but my main forte is ABC/AAC and Iron/steel engines. I have one I'm waiting to get my hands on, so one more ringed one anyway.

There is a fellow in the UK that makes piston rings for model engines. So we now have a new source for piston rings. We can get bearings from several sources so that should not be a problem. Other than that you might need a parts engine if you need other parts such as a piston, cylinder, etc. But one can make a connecting rod if need be. So I don't see a problem with keeping the engines and still using them. Usually with good care a engine outlasts a few airplanes anyway. So it isn't a problem then.

Basically, if man made the thing in question, then man can make parts for it.

I deliberately steered toward ringed versions. Guess I had myself convinced Frank was going to be in business forever. I've hung in there buying parts engines and even parts from out of country like Canada. Haven't managed to find an exhaust manifold for a .34 to save myself. The walls are closing in on the pleasure my ST's have given me.

I have several Super Tigres now. I just picked up two more yesterday. But the 51 I got has some play in the big end of the rod, not enough to worry for now but if it gets much worse its going to be a parts engine because I cant buy a new one and dont know how to make one.

If that .51 is Italian, I have a great parts engine. Looks like crap on the outside, but the liner, piston, Rod, and bowman ring is in good shape. . Even has new bearings.

Unfortunately, parts will have to be made now, or parts motors cannibalized. I got a few when they first quit, but now they seem a bit more scarce at the swap meets. The rod bushing could be pressed or drilled out, and then a new bushing made up with a .001" interference fit. I would use a header and pipe for the .34. It may be easier to find. Just the bolt spacing is the important info needed. Adapter plates could be made up too. http://www.macspro.com/headers_side.asp It looks like it is the same bolt spacing as the LA, but is a bolt through, so the threads would be a bit too big to be tapped. 32.11 mm. I have not tried to make a ring yet, but might have to some day. I guess that is easier than making a new ABC piston and liner.

Maybe I will keep mine till it breaks and then sell it as a parts engine? Not a choice in the poll though.

With the technology today you can "print" parts. So I see an upcoming industry in parts similar to the lazer cutting industry for wooden models.

I have an older Fox 45 that needs the big end of the rod bushed(or a new rod). My buddy tried to run a full synthetic very lean (he didnt know how to adjust the carb properly) when I loaned it to him . I sent it to Fox and they returned it when they stopped doing engines. Really got me wondering about what to do with older engines with no parts support.

A good machine shop could do that for your. I wonder if companies like MECOA would be in a position to make parts by copying the parts from a good engine. Maybe a metal printer for the metal parts.

Agreed, but the cost return ratio would probably outweigh it. I can buy a good used 46 pretty cheap and it isnt like I need another engine. I just hate to see a nice engine languish. And it did run pretty awesome.

Well maybe too soon to be profitable, except maybe for rare engines.

First i am hearing about Frank and Super Tiger ,going out of business
Very bad news on both subjects
Who has the contact info for the model engine ring maker in the UK ?

Ebay UK. Lists as 'gaviscool'.

Seems like we have a club for fellows who like that challenge of fixing an engine. I prefer that to buying new ones. I get a lot of satisfaction from bringing a basket case back from the scrap heap and seeing it perform.