stunthanger.com
Engine basics => Engine set up tips => Topic started by: Ty Marcucci on March 11, 2018, 09:51:01 AM
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Sold on Ebay.
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There have been 7 or 8 sold on e-bay recently, all the way from $60.00 to $153.00. Some were in the box but used. All but one looked really good. The one that went for the least was pretty grimy looking with most of the sticker gone. So if it is a really nice clean motor I would say around $125.00 to $150.00.
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Is it the same as a Lucas-Smith?
Bob Z.
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Just checked RJL engine land museum, and the 46 Contestor D60R is a Lucas Smith.
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The Contestor was Danner Bunch's last engine design. He also designed the many variations of the "Bunch Tiger" .45 cuin engines beginning pre-war.
The Contestor was offered in both the side-port and the rear rotary valve configurations. Unfortunately, the engine came out about the same time as the commercial glo plug. Everyone was suddenly using glo, and the Contestor was a commercial failure.
Lucas & Smith was just a manufacturing company in Los Angeles, which built the engines.
The rotary valve Contestor is actually a fairly strong engine, and extremely well made.
Here is my contestor D60-R running on the test stand.
Prices for all old spark engines are very soft nowadays. Collectors are always looking for one with the decals in place, and in "clean" condition. Price for a new-looking Contestor can be up to $150.
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" Prices for all old spark engines are very soft nowadays. "
Hello Yes prices have come back a lot since the 80's and 90's when you consider inflation. But it is easier to buy and try now without the worry of wearing out an 'expensive' engine.
Regards Gerald #^
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Remember that most of those old spark ignition engines have low run time on them. Used mainly in free flight (30 second engine run). If the timer points are intact, with a spark plug, they were probably run on high motor oil content, and therefore not ruined by "R/C fuel" having low oil content.
Therefore, if you are thinking of buying on old sparker, your chances of getting one in nice mechanical condition is pretty good.
(beware of used O&R engines because the cylinder/crankcase gasket often leaks with age.)