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Engine basics => Engine set up tips => Topic started by: Steve Thornton on November 18, 2014, 09:44:38 PM

Title: Fox 15X gaskets ,screws, etc.
Post by: Steve Thornton on November 18, 2014, 09:44:38 PM
I just acquired a Fox 15X and need gaskets, screws, and glow plugs.  Any one know vendors and sizes?
Thanks for any info and help,
Steve
Title: Re: Fox 15X gaskets ,screws, etc.
Post by: Steve Helmick on November 19, 2014, 08:13:31 PM
I would certainly give Fox a call on the gaskets...and they'll probably come with screws. You can hopefully get socket heads to use instead. If it comes right down to it, you can make a backplate gasket very easily. Some use postcards, 3x5 file cards, or playing cards. For the head gasket, I would guess that any .15 sized head gasket will function fine. Most .15's are really metric bore and stroke.

The glowplugs you want are SHORT reach. I would definitely NOT use Fox glowplugs. Thunderbolts, K&B's, Zinger, Merlin (from Brodak), etc., should work much better. Hot glowplugs are good, and 10% nitro with mostly castor oil will work well.  H^^ Steve
Title: Re: Fox 15X gaskets ,screws, etc.
Post by: dennis lipsett on November 19, 2014, 09:50:37 PM
The screws are 2-56 and socket head screws are available from Micro Fasteners or RTL. I had converted most of mine awhile ago but forget the exact lengths of the screws.I have spare head gaskets but no back plate gaskets.
Title: Re: Fox 15X gaskets ,screws, etc.
Post by: Steve Thornton on November 20, 2014, 07:01:11 PM
I would certainly give Fox a call on the gaskets...and they'll probably come with screws. You can hopefully get socket heads to use instead. If it comes right down to it, you can make a backplate gasket very easily. Some use postcards, 3x5 file cards, or playing cards. For the head gasket, I would guess that any .15 sized head gasket will function fine. Most .15's are really metric bore and stroke.

The glowplugs you want are SHORT reach. I would definitely NOT use Fox glowplugs. Thunderbolts, K&B's, Zinger, Merlin (from Brodak), etc., should work much better. Hot glowplugs are good, and 10% nitro with mostly castor oil will work well.  H^^ Steve
Thanks Steve,
I have several new long Thunderbolts and some new Fox plugs but alas.....Marvin Denny gave me som good directions on fabricating a back plate gasket so I think I will be in good shape as soon as I get some short plugs. 
Title: Re: Fox 15X gaskets ,screws, etc.
Post by: Steve Thornton on November 20, 2014, 07:06:48 PM
The screws are 2-56 and socket head screws are available from Micro Fasteners or RTL. I had converted most of mine awhile ago but forget the exact lengths of the screws.I have spare head gaskets but no back plate gaskets.
Dennis I replaced the old screws with the 2-56 Philips temporarily until I can get more sockets from RTL...they seem to be an odd length but maybe because I haven't tightened them yet.
This engine is very old and hasn't been run for decades.  It was seized when I got it, but soaking it in fuel loosened it right up.
Thanks for the help!
Steve
Title: Re: Fox 15X gaskets ,screws, etc.
Post by: dennis lipsett on November 20, 2014, 08:39:44 PM
Dennis I replaced the old screws with the 2-56 Philips temporarily until I can get more sockets from RTL...they seem to be an odd length but maybe because I haven't tightened them yet.
This engine is very old and hasn't been run for decades.  It was seized when I got it, but soaking it in fuel loosened it right up.
Thanks for the help!
Steve

Steve,

I think that they are 1/4 inch for the back plate and 3/8 for the head screws. Duke wouldn't use odd size screws that would have been foolish and expensive. Emphasis on cost.
Generally even locked screws let go with a heat applied to the screw area. Mine had been in the engine for 30 years when I changed them. My biggest break was that the screws had not been buggered as the engine was new.

Denns