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Building Tips and technical articles. => 1/2 A building. => Topic started by: Ken Deboy on February 27, 2007, 03:35:13 PM

Title: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Ken Deboy on February 27, 2007, 03:35:13 PM
I really wish that someone had taken over production of the Cox reed valve engine now that the current mfg has apparantly dumped them - there are a lot of models that are designed around the concept of a compact engine with integral fuel tang, and the spring starter on the Cox engine is a big help too, especially for beginners. However, I have a Brodak .049 (Mk. I) and though it doesn't have the integral fuel tank, I think it's a good alternative to the Cox .049's. It's readily available, reasonably priced, one big advantage is that it takes regular glow plugs instead of expensive glow heads.

cheers,
Ken
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: dennis lipsett on February 27, 2007, 04:03:16 PM
Ken, Those motors were mad for brodak by CS motors of China. They have ceased manufacture of most of their line and so i think that they are now on the extinct list also. However Mr Brodak has a mark 2 version made in Moldavia and from what I see it looks very good.. Somehow i guess i'm stuck kicking the old oaken bucket at $60.00 on up for a 1/2A motor something is very odd with my value system. Wern't 1/2A motors only $3.95 or so'yesterday' y1 y1 ;D
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Ken Deboy on February 27, 2007, 05:52:53 PM
I think I remember paying $12.95 for a Tee Dee .049 in 1977 or 78. Adjusted for inflation that would be around $42 today I think. $60 does seem like a lot for a 1/2A when you can get an LA 25 for the same price. Kind of wish Brodak would get the rights to the Cox reed valve engines and have them put in production again.

cheers,
Ken
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Ralph Wenzel (d) on March 03, 2007, 01:50:12 AM
Ken,

NorVel .049's of various configurations show up all the time on eBAY. They usually go for $25 - $40, and are in excelllent condition. I've got a boxful of .049s and .061s. Probably enough for the rest of this life. Get a Galbreath Head and use Nelson HD Glow Plugs. This combo raises the power and is practically bulletproof up to 25% Nitro. A barely decent Norvel .049 will turn a 6-2 or 5-1/2-3 prop around 22K rpm. This will fly many of the older .15-powered planes very nicely.
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: George on March 03, 2007, 08:54:06 AM
Which brings up another thought. With Cox and possibly NORVEL out of production, how long do you suppose the Galbreath heads and Nelson plugs will be available?

Perhaps a long time since the factory heads and plugs will not be available.  #^

George
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Clint Ormosen on March 03, 2007, 12:31:36 PM
So are the heads for the NorVel available? I have a BigMig 061 unused and the LHS has 3 of them and wants $42 each for them. I won't bother if parts are unavailable.
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Bill Little on March 03, 2007, 01:01:44 PM
So are the heads for the NorVel available? I have a BigMig 061 unused and the LHS has 3 of them and wants $42 each for them. I won't bother if parts are unavailable.

Hi Clint,

I guess it depends on whether or not you want to pop for the extra cost of the Galbreath/Nelson head/plug set up.  I am going to since I believe only physical crash damage will wear out the Norvels! ;D  Doesn't seem that they wear of broken in, and treated, properly.  Kinda like the old Enyas!  Can NEVER wear one of them out! **)

Bill <><
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: minnesotamodeler on March 03, 2007, 04:53:35 PM
Ditto the Nelson plugs in those Galbreath heads.  I haven't burned one out yet...broke the posts off a few, practicing powered landings with inverted mount...

Buy the Norvels.  If I needed one I'd ask you to buy one for me, but I have 5 now, and I think that's probably a lifetime supply.

--Ray
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Clint Ormosen on March 04, 2007, 03:37:02 AM
About how much $ are we talking about for one of these Nelson heads?
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: minnesotamodeler on March 04, 2007, 06:10:46 AM
$10 for the head, I think about $3.50 for the Nelson plug.  As a bonus you'll gain some performance too. Highly recommended.

--Ray
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Bill Little on March 04, 2007, 07:42:33 AM
$10 for the head, I think about $3.50 for the Nelson plug.  As a bonus you'll gain some performance too. Highly recommended.

--Ray

Hi Ray,

Please post a link for where to obtain each.  I went looking and I have lost my information!

Thanks!
Bill <><
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Alan Hahn on March 04, 2007, 03:06:13 PM
Here is Larry Driskell's Web site. He carrys everything you need for the Galbreath heads and Nelson Plugs. I've personally bought things from him and have been very satisfied with the service.

http://kittingittogether.com/
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: minnesotamodeler on March 04, 2007, 03:52:46 PM
That's the place.

--Ray
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Bill Little on March 04, 2007, 05:16:24 PM
Here is Larry Driskell's Web site. He carrys everything you need for the Galbreath heads and Nelson Plugs. I've personally bought things from him and have been very satisfied with the service.

http://kittingittogether.com/

Thanks, Alan!  That's EXACTLY the place I was looking for!  Good People! y1

Bill <><
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Jim Thomerson on March 04, 2007, 05:21:11 PM
PAW makes several small diesels which have a good reputation.  Check with Eric Clutton.
Title: Re: Reasonable alternatives to Cox engines.
Post by: Bill Little on March 04, 2007, 05:41:23 PM
PAW makes several small diesels which have a good reputation.  Check with Eric Clutton.

The Diesel Doctor!   

Problem for me is, no one near by (which 40 miles is the closest) carries diesel fuel, and none of us have run one............  plus, I got more glow engines now that any 10 people coiuld use at one time! **)