Jim Walker Fireball - Engine choices

[Mark Misegadis]

Jim Walker Fireball - Engine choices.

I am going to be building one of the reproduction Fireball kits and would like some suggestions on what would be acceptable for this plane. I know the usual choice should be an ignition engine.
For the sake of simplicity should I go with a Glow engine? Something vintage of course.

I wouldnt consider this if it were an original.

If this is worse than mounting something other than a Fox 35 in a BiSlob please say so..

Thank you,
Mark

[Jim Kraft]

Mark; We holler about a lot of things on here, but remember, it is your plane. Just put in it what ever makes you happy. Having said that, and being an ignition lover, I would put an Ohlsson 23 sideport in it as that was probably the most used engine in them. Also, if I am not mistaken, the Ohlsson 23 and Fox 35 have the same mounting hole spacing. Might want to check that. That way you could run either. And after all, it is going to be a way fun project no matter what you do.

[De Hill]

The Fox .29 & .35, and the Ohlsson & Rice .19, 23, 29, and .33 all have the same mounting hole dimensions. The O&R .29 and .33 have a lot more power than the O&R .19 or .23.

[FLOYD CARTER]

Just remember that some of those old engines left a lot to be desired in  reliability.  O&R sideports always started and ran, but beware of meager power!  Forster is OK,

\If you are content with glo, then the the Fox or K&B are "almost" period engines with the Fireball.

Floyd

[Scott Hartford]

I am building one also with an O&R 23 and am wondering what people have used for fuel tanks? A baloon? My 23 is front venturi and as stated a Fox will drop in also, but there seems to be little room for a tank.....

[Mark Misegadis]

I have old Ignition engines but I dont have all the various bits and might need to do some work on them to get one running. So I have choices there.  My knowledge is not very deep in this area just yet.

Update: I checked and everything I have is far too large or too small in ignition. .19 .23 and lots of .60 size.

Another thought based on the Fox .35

I have a pair of the numbered Fox reproduction engines that were made by a guy to replicate the very first Fox engines that had 2 fins on the cylinder. Actually..I have a nice one of those originals as well but.. the replicas are new in the box. Modern internals with a reworked crank to calm the vibration down.

Update: The engine is a JB Fox by Charlie Bruce and Larry Jenno. ABC - reworked crank and lightened piston.

Thank you for all this information!

Mark

[Mark Misegadis]

Oh.. one more thing..I bought an Estate out and ended up with some original black and white photos of a gentlemans Fireball from way back.
I need to scan them so I can post them out here.

[jim ivey]

I have a perfect o&R 29. I dint have the ignition stuff, it has a glow plug. I was gonna build a strato-cat for it but it  cost almost  $300 for the kit, so i dropped that idea. I dint remember what I paid for it but I'd rake $100 + shipping for it. That is a good looking engine. 1st big engine I had 1952.    Jim

[Mark Misegadis]

Hi Jim,

Sorry I hadnt checked this thread for abit. Thank you for the offer on the engine. I will let you know if I need it and plan to go that route. Anything can happen in the planning stages. I wasnt aware that an ignition engine could be converted to Glow by adding a glow plug. I always assumed that there was a timing difference that prevented this.

I did just buy an old engine that looks the part. I purchased an old .29 Torpedo with the airfoil shaped exhaust port. These engines have a case that appears the same as the O&R of Forester engine. In fact.. they appear to have all copied each other.  The engine that I purchased has the timing lug but nothing else. It does have a glow plug and is said to be new. I was told by the original owner that this one is a transition engine. I hope that  all this is correct info from the seller.



Floyd when you said above : "If you are content with glo, then the the Fox or K&B are "almost" period engines with the Fireball."

Were you talkign GreenHead Torpedo.. or this older one like I just learned of and purchased?


Mark

[FLOYD CARTER]

Mark.  I think you have an early K&B torpedo.  Round crankcase and a shallow cylinder head (not green).  These are nice and strong.  Just perfect for a Fireball.  You can get replacement parts for the ignition timer if it has the crank ground for a cam.  Also all other ignition components are available from Larry Davidson.  I can also help in the area of spark ignition.

Floyd.