Some time back, I bought a brand new Tom Lay OS MAX 40 FP-S on ebay from a Tom Lay auction.  I went back and forth on emails with Tom after I bought it.

I questioned why there was no identification on the engine case indicating he had reworked it.  He apologized and said he overlooked it because he had been very busy.  He told me what number he had assigned to it and told me to go ahead and engrave it.  I replied and said I would be uncomfortable with doing that lest it be deemed a forgery some time later.  Tom then told me to send it back and he would mark it and return it to me at no cost.

I never followed through and, unfortunately, Tom passed away at a later date.

I never used the engine because I have bought too many.  I re-listed it on ebay last January and sold it at about what I paid for it.  The buyer seemed pleased.  I sent him all the documentation I had including copies of the emails between Tom and me explaining the lack of an ID on the case. 

This afternoon, I received an email from the man I sold it to.  He said he just took it out of the box and looked it over.  He said he owns another Tom Lay OS40 and it shows signs of rework on the outside.  He feels I sold him a stock engine, perhaps sending him the wrong one.  I replied and said this was the only OS40 FP I ever owned and he received it exactly the way I did from Tom Lay.

Is anyone familiar with Tom Lay's reworks and do they always have visible signs of rework on the outside?  I am at a loss here.  I don't want my buyer to think I cheated him. 

To me, if you can see reworked exhaust ports  by looking through the stack, then that is evidence of rework on the outside.

To anyone following this thread,  below is the email exchange that Tom and I had when I first bought his motor.  Start at the bottom and read up.


Dick. Since it was my oversight, just send me the motor and I'll engrave it, and _I'll pay for the return postage_. It would be cheaper than engraving, and you are right, then no one could consider it a fake.
I'd be glad to do it!
Tom Lay



-----Original Message-----
From: R. A. Pacini <rapco@gis.net>
To: Tom Lay <thelayster@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Mar 17, 2011 7:16 pm
Subject: Re: The 40FP Arrived Today!

Tom, I don't have an engraving tool, so I will probably take it to a jeweler for etching.

Where do you usually mark your reworks? Do you print or use cursive? My thoughts are that I would not want your motor ever to be considered a fake because the engraving didn't match your style.

Dick Pacini

Tom Lay wrote:
> Hi Dick. You are absolutely right, I usually engrave a number on them. > I have been working 80 hour weeks for 2 months now, and it sounds like > I forgot to engrave it. I have it logged in as T&L #1452. 11-5 2 blade > wood props work well. Because it is a lapped motor 10% Nitro, and 11% > Castor/11% Syn works well. If you have an engraving tool, feel free to > engrave T&L 1452 on it.
> Thanks for your support.
> Tom Lay
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: R. A. Pacini <rapco@gis.net <mailto:rapco@gis.net>>
> To: Tom Lay <thelayster@aol.com <mailto:thelayster@aol.com>>
> Sent: Thu, Mar 17, 2011 3:21 pm
> Subject: The 40FP Arrived Today!
>
> Tom, the motor looks beautiful. I thought it might have markings or a > number etched on it identifying it as one of your reworks. > > That being said, are there any special break-in instructions? What do > you recommend for fuel? Prop size? > > Thanks again for a great buy and great service. > > Regards, > > Dick Pacini

 I showed two other flyers from the area today this engine and they were also confused at the total lack of any obvious
 visible rework to T&L OS 40.   We are all just kinda stumped...

I am not going to take the engine apart, just wondering about this particular engine
mods.

What's the venturi like?  Both the T&L engines I have (a Max-S .35 and an ST46) came with a white Enya-style delrin venturi. The Max 35 also has a ST-type NVA.  No changes to head fins on either.

Hi Dick,

I have both a T&L and original OS fp40. I'll check tonight and get back with you. I know from memory that the T&L venturi is the metal one from OS. May even post some pictures showing the exhaust, if that'll help...

Cheers,

-Dan

Unfortunately, what I thought was a t&l os fp40 is actually a Tom Dixon reworked fp40.
Sorry for the mixup.

-Dan

  It is had not been run, I would strongly suggest a disassembly and cleaning before running it.

    Brett