Luftman,
I stand corrected. I just seem to ossociate YS with their big bad 4-strokes. I thought he may have been considering the YS 4 in with the other 2 bangers. (My Bad). The YS .45 2-stroke though is one heck of a screamer from previous post research.

With that all said and done, I would choose the MVVS .49. I have the 40 and it throttles like no other, and the idles goes wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy down.

Dennis

Bill, I agree I've have heard some stories about OS, but I have a couple of the fx's and they run very well. I also have to agree about the magnum they seem like a very fine engine, but I've heard stories about them as well. IMHO if you break in an engine properly, use a good fuel, and don't lean it out(trying to get that extra 50rpm that won't make a rat's butt anyway), any engine mentioned would make a good sport engine. I prefer OS, Magnum, or Mecoa. My $.02

>>Edit to correct html coding<<

CDE:

Hey there! I too have a 46 FX on one of my planes. But I fully expect it to shell its liner. And I've already spent the $38 for a true ABC p/l set to go in it.

Bill.

The Leo .46 has been used by many people in my club with great success. The only thing I have noticed about this engine is that it comes pretty tight from the factory. It can be hard to start intially but loosens up pretty quickly after the first run. The Megatech engine is the same engine also. I believe it's chrome liner is the cheap replacement for the FX liner if it peels.

I want to bring attention to the Webra 50 GT. This is a very strong and reliable engine. It is priced around the same area as the Irvine 53. These two engines are a cut above the norm
for .46 BB engines. They have more power due to the larger displacement and both have excellent reliablility, but you pay more for that performance too. If you are just looking for a good running .46 then the TT pro, Magnum and Leo/Megatech engines will fit the bill.

Bill,

Where did you get the p/l set from. Also have you seen the replacement in action, does it affect the power, require break-in etc... I've never thought of looking for an ABC p/l; that would be an upgrade that would make me love that engine even more!! When the liner starts peeling does it usually destroy anything else, or does it just start running crappy? Thanks for the info.

I have owned several of the Royal engines in the .25, the .45 and the .46 size and I can say without a doubt these are by far my favorite engines. They have all had the power and reliability you would expect from top quality engines. I would recommend the Royal to anyone, even over OS. I have owned other brands, OS, Webra, Magnum, TT, Fox and K&B. Some of them have been great, some have been dogs, but the Royals have overall been the best of them. I am currently flying a small Stick with a Royal 25 and the reliability, starting ease, throttle response and top end power are always impressive.

Choice number 2 would be the FX series. And yes, my FX 40 shot the liner a few years ago, but it was replaced free of charge. Don't let anyone tell you the liner problem is just a rumor.

Cde:

It's the piston and liner set for the Magnum XLS 46, $37.99 from Hobby People. It is a drop in, dimensions are all the same.

Bill.

Here's how I see it.

1)O.S. FX -- Great running engine. The one I had ran great without one problem with peeling. In fact, the fella I sold it to is still running it to this day with no problems. I think they're a bit pricey though (AX).
2)Mecoa -- Great bang for the buck. It's a remake of the O.S. SF series, which was know to be one of O.S.' best engines ever made. I am currently running the Mecoa, and it if it ever fails, parts are readily available. I've never had a single problem out of this engine from day one. One hell of an engine for $69.00 and true ABC.
3)Thunder Tiger -- Sounds to be a great engine, but parts seem harder to get than some other brands. I used to run their .61 PRO, and if the .46 is anything like it's bigger brother it's a good one. It's got a nice price tag at around $79.00
4)Magnum XLS -- Seen several of them run at my club. Seems to be a very good engine for the price $69.00. Same engine as a O.S. pretty much, only for the Magnum having the better liner (ABC) and a great deal cheaper.
5)YS -- Not even in the same league, price or performace wise, although a great engine.
6)GMS -- I've been told that it's the same engine as the Tower. If so, I want no part of it, the .46 that is. Heard, and seen, way too many problems with the Tower .46. If GMS is the same engine, well, you know.

I've had no experience with the rest of the engines mentioned previously in this thread.

John

Again with the peeling liners! Does any one have an OS 46FX that they have purchased in the past year or two that has a peeling liner? I was under the impression that this problem has been fixed, and I am currious if there are any more recent issues. If the newer FXs don't have this problem any more and the AXs don't have the problem why is it that an OS shouldn't be considered? Other than price of course. Thats a different story. Generally speaking OS makes a good running engine and they are of high quality. I had a peeler that was fixed, no reciept, free of charge, no questions. I also have others that have never peeled after hundreds of flights and still run as strong or stronger than any other engine I have. 40-50$ stronger I don't know but they are good engines. Beat every Magnum I have ever had as far as quality but not price.

IX:

I have one (1) OS 46 XL. It runs very well, it's a strong engine.

I have several XLS magnums, in both 40 and 46 size. They run very well, they're strong engines.

Ignoring the maker's names and the slightly smoother finish of the Magnum parts, I can't tell any difference in their appearance or power, or nice overall handling.

But my bank account can see the difference easily.

And when the OS shells its liner and the Magnum liner is installed, it will represent an outlay of $160. And when TWO Magnum XLS 46 engines cost $140, well, anyone not brainwashed by the OS cachet should have no trouble picking the better deal, and therefore the better engine.

Bill.

PS: If OS drops the price of the 46 AX to $70 and goes back to ABC construction it will be a new ball game. Might even work at $80, provided they get rid of the ABN/ABL. wr.

6 We have more than several Tower engines at our club, no problems I know of. So recently a newbie buys a GMS because its the same as a Tower and he had several problems that had to be fixed. Go figure. Ran fine once he got it fixed though.

I have a two questions. Is a chrome liner really better than Nickel? TT engines are Nickel and don't seem to have the peeling problems, are very strong running engines, and don't cause problems with the environment like chrome does, yet the OS FXs were known for peeling. Has any one purchased an OS engine in the last year or two that had a liner peel?

Oh and you really can't add 40$ to the price of your OS if they will fix it for free.

FYI my last new two stroke engine purchase was an Irvine 53 from just engines. Cost me $104 shipped(before exhange rates went south) IMO, better than a Magnum, and cheaper than an OS. Of course my Magnum experience is from several years ago and at the time I felt it lacked in power, and leaked air and fuel arround the carb and needle. Maybe I will give one a try again next time. After all it doesn't make sense to latch on to a past problem and never give a manufacturer another chance.

IX:

Chrome or nickel? You pays your money and you takes your choice.

There are many ABN engines running well, that don't peel their liners. They are not OS.

Chrome is harder than nickel, so it will wear longer. The limit though, is probably wear of the aluminum piston so the liner plating is moot, unless it peels.

OS has proved they know how to make cruddy plating, so even if they lower their prices I wont trust their ABN/ABL liners. They will have to go back to ABC before I buy a new one.

The K&B 61, a ringed engine, has a chromed liner. It never wears out, a new ring every few years and it goes forever.

Bill.

I have an FX .46 that is 3 years old and still running strong. This is my most used engine. All you have to do is look at it to see that. It is stained with castor from the Omega fuels I use in it. No problems with the liner peeling. It is not the fact that it is nickel as there are many engines that use the ABN style of liner and have no problems. I believe OS might have been using a softer alloy of nickel than the others and the problems surfaced when the engine was run lean especially when using fuels that contain fully synthetic oil. Of course this is IMO.

This thread has been dormant for a while, but I thought I should update with my experience using the LEO .46.

I got this engine at a VERY reasonable price, and immediately it was obvious that this is indeed identical to the old ROYAL .46, and both of these are in fact re-makes of the old OS .46 SF. Out of the box it was extremely tight, almost made me wonder if there was something wrong. However, I put it on my test stand and it broke in beautifully. It took about 20 flips (I don't have a starter so it was chicken-stick for me) to get it running steadily. After 1 tank of Omega 5% it was going smoothly, and another half-tank allowed me to adjust the low-speed needle to get a nice transition and no loading up.

I put it in my LT-40 trainer, and it has been wonderful. It dead-sticked me once, but we fixed that with a little work on the high-speed needle. I flew it with a 10x7 Master Airscrew prop for most of the summer, and it was good but the plane was a bit wishy-washy on climb-out. Recently I put an 11x6 Master Airscrew and I think this works much better. The engine turns it with no problem and it flies with authority now.

So, I think I can safely say that the LEO 0.46 is a good buy for the price-conscious flyer. I am told that this engine is sold in the USA by MECOA.

Fledermaus, that is also good news for the folks who want to put a Leo piston and liner in their worn out OS SF engines. There is a good article on that, along with prices, at Just Engines.

Ernie

Did anybody mention the Super Tigre .45? Is it not powerfull or does it have a problem. I think one long bearded poster mentioned recent problems with Thunder Tiger. Seems that most of the problems center around quality control problems during final assembly. Things such as loose screws, cam gears off timing, carb not clamped down, sleeve turned around, missing O ring on the needle valve and the like. If you get one check it out, take the back cover and head off, make sure the sleeve is on right, check for swarf in the crank case, make sure every thing (I mean every thing) is tight and in their proper place.

There are several good engines in the mid-sized class....no doubt.
Right now, my money's on the GMS .47. They are cheap, and they just
flat haul....they come with the hot "Sport pipe" and the great Tower carb.

At my field, we use them in Q-500 planes for "Club Racing". [sm=thumbup.gif]

Second choice....the Super Tiger.

Dave.

Sporty:

I don't know if I'm the long bearded poster you were referring to or not, I don't remember any post saying TT had a real problem.

I did mention, in one or two posts, that TT was ABN, similar to but not like OS. I've only heard of one TT that peeled its liner. Unlike OS, as I said. And the reporter admitted mistreating it badly.

Bill.

Irvine, magnum , mvvs, mecoa ... I pass on the OS brand [8D]

you could try one of these... http://www.justengines.unseen.org/Jen.htm

But black and purple engines just don't go with my eyes!

Only one engine has a hair-do from the 50's, is an instant collector's item, and really hauls....

the Ovation!

Ernie

Iv'e been down the engine road for a ton of hours & many different brands over the years. I no longer buy OS engines of any description -- they just aren't worth the price anymore & they seem to have become more troublesome in recent years. I ditched my .46 FXs because of endlessly recurring flame-outs. I never did personally experience a peeled liner, but the engines just didn't work as nicely as others that I own.

My personal preferences at present are:

1. TT.46 & .61 Pro -- great price & excellent value, beautifully made, easily matches the OS engines for power, runs like a jewel right out of the box, lasts forever

2. LEO .46 & .61 Pro-- terrific price, very good value, high quality, very reliable, a bit less power than the TTs, but still very strong, easy break-in, very long lasting, parts interchangeable with MECOA & OS SF series

3. GMS .47 -- terrific price, good value, decent quality, great power (but only with the tuned muffler), prolonged break in, fussy to tune, good engine for risky applications (who cares if it bites it?)

4. MECOA .46 Tomcat -- good value, fair quality, good power, prolonged break in, fussy to tune, very long lasting, good engine for risky applications


The LEO .46 Pro & MECOA .46 Tomcat are both OS SF clones, but the LEO is cheaper, of much better quality & produces about the same power. The LEOs are made in Taiwan by the nephew of the owner of Thunder Tiger. The GMS is a shaky choice because there seems to be a fair number of duds along with a lot of really good ones. My GMS had carb problems, but made a bunch of power for a low price.

My suggestion is: Buy the TT Pro or the LEO. Both work really well & both respond well to tuning. The TT has a very restrictive stock muffler & the application of a Tower Hobbies/Hobbico/GMS tuned muffler really makes it go -- easily outpowering the GMS with the same muffler. The LEO with the noted tuned muffler produces about the same power as the GMS, but is a much nicer piece of work.

I can state with certainty that the number of Magnum 46's returned for repairs is very low. This suggests a very reliable engine. The only problem I have is that the owners manual says to break in the engine very rich. It is common knowledge that an ABC engine should be broken in only slightly rich in order to get the sleeve hot enough to expand and relieve the tight fit at the top. Most of the early failures with the Magnum 46 involve that problem. There are, of course the worn out engines, and the occasional bearing failure, the rusted engines (no after run oil) and the dusted engines from running on a dirt field. By the way, I know the guys who do the repairs for Global Hobbies.
JJ