Antique Engine
 

I just found an old Fox 40 that is about 28 years old. Its so old I can't find a muffler for it so I had to modify one to fit it. The engine was broken in and flew once...straight up and then straight down. It has the compression of a new engine.

My questions are:

[ul][*] Is this engine worth using or can I get more money by selling it as an antique?[*] As an antique how much would it fetch you think?[*] How would this old 40 compare in power to a new comparable 40 in price? Were these old Fox engines dogs...the man at the hobby store said they were dogs and thats why Fox is not very popular in R/C today...
[/ul]

RE: Antique Engine
 

Is it the first 40 with the steel fins?

Enjoy

Jim

RE: Antique Engine
 

I don't think so because one corner of one fin in the back is broken off from the original crash. It was my first crash when I was 17 and it looks to be aluminum to me.

It has a huge air mixture screw for the visually impaired...lol ;)

The other thing is I have no "documentation" on the engine so I don't know what the "initial" set points are for these needle values so that I can try and see if it runs at least. I built a board so I would like to test run a tank through and just see it run.

Its in good shape as I cleaned it, after-run oiled it and stored it in a paper bag to absorb oil and water and then wrapped in a plastic bag. It looks new except for the minor crash damage. No damage to the crankshaft though because it turns well and the compression feels stronger than a new OS 40 to me.

RE: Antique Engine
 

28 years old does not generally constitude an antique in R/C engines. This is especially true for Fox's which were mass produced and there are still a ton of them on the market since they are nearly impossible to wear out. The damage would also drop any collectable value significantly. Personally, if it runs well, I'd fly it.

John

RE: Antique Engine
 

Thats why I say...I want to fly it into the ground. :D.

Some folks said I should "retire it" for prosperity....but I don't want to be buried "with it"...I want to "bury it". [sm=idea.gif]

But now to how to figure out how to make it run. Anyway to get the original documentation on the engine. I can't find anything on Fox's website....which leaves alot to be desired. [:'(]

RE: Antique Engine
 

Try calling Fox and see if they can send you a copy of the instructions that go with the carb on your engine. One other thing to consider with your engine is break-in. If your engine has a lapped iron piston, it will take a very long and rich break-in period before it's ready for flight. If the engine hasn't been through this, it would anser the question of why it doesn't run right.

John

RE: Antique Engine
 

Try this web page: http://www.flitelinesolutions.com/ These folks have a wealth of Fox information.

Some of the Fox engines require more effort to learn, but they are great engines that run forever.

The guy at the hobby store doubtless has ties with OS, Great Planes, etc. Fox is not a high volume manufacturer, so the man pushes the products which make him money.

RE: Antique Engine
 

Yes, agreed....
and I didn't know what I was doing back then at all. I know that I did run some break-in back then. I called Fox and there are no manuals, no mufflers...nothing. I did squeeze out that 4 full turns out is a good place to start with the air mixture ---seems like a lot...but I guess thats where I'll try.

RE: Antique Engine
 

Yes, it looks actually to be made more robust and looks like it will run a good long time. The piston looks like iron...not aluminum.

But power-wise...where is this sort of engine??? Did they have less power back then? How would it compare with an OS 40...less power?

RE: Antique Engine
 

Oh Thaks Jessie....that is an excellent website.

I see my carb there as the early 2-Jet carb for the 40 sized engines. I know that part of my problem is not understanding the carb...it is much, much, much harder to get right than current carbs.

RE: Antique Engine
 

You may be able to substitute a new design fox carb. or a Perry carb. In my experience once properly set the Fox carbs rarely need any further adjustment.

Jess

RE: Antique Engine
 

Well a new carb is like $ 35-40. A new engine is like $65...not worth it.

Reading that website it sounds like the engine isn't going to run very well...it sounds pretty poorly designed with all kinds of problems.

RE: Antique Engine
 

2MT:

The really early Fox 40 engines tended to break the crankshaft. These were U/C engines, if yours has an R/C carb it may be late enough to be past the crank problems. But flown as a sport engine almost any modern 0.25 will blow it off.

Bill.

RE: Antique Engine
 

OUCH ! [&o] Maybe I'll make sure it runs and try and sell it on EBay or RCUniverse....

RE: Antique Engine
 

Hmm....it might not be great, but I have a real hard time believing that.....

Fox's .60 Eagle beat virtually every other popular engine when independently compared by Model Airplane News 3-4 months ago for power to weight....even Tower which looked to me like it came in a close second. And, for all intensive purposes that is a 20 year old design.

RE: Antique Engine
 

Bill had trouble with blown head gaskets and broken cranks. I, being a sprightly young fellow of only six decades came along after six bolt heads and four bolt back plates experienced none of those problems.:)

As a sport engine I doubt you will be embarrassed bu your fox. After all Fred Dunn won the Nationals with his Astro Hog powered by a K&B Greenhead .35, an engine of much less power than your newer Fox.

As with most things in life everyone has his own preferences in engines, Currently the instant gratification generation seems to prefer ARFs with take-out-of-the-box-and-fly engines.

To me engines(model and motorcycle) are a source of enjoyment. I get a great deal of satisfaction in getting a poorly running or not running at all engine to perform.
I recently aquired a never run early 60s vintage Fox 59 with the carb that has two fuel lines running to two needle valves, side mounted plug (and no instructions). I am looking foward to breaking it in and deciding what to put it in

Jess

RE: Antique Engine
 

Yes, so true Jess.

I would like to see this thing run first and then I'll decide. I think its mostly a lot of personal preference in engines. I do find the compression on this engine to be equal and maybe even a little better than an OS 46 FX.

RE: Antique Engine
 

The 70's Fox's were good engines, Bill had problems with a very early Fox Stunt engine. Keep in mind that the iron pistons have as good a compression as an ABC engine cold, but when hot the cylinder expands faster than the piston and it loses some compression. Use all castor oil to help with the hot compression, as well as wear.