Engine collections

[Clint Ormosen]

For some reason, we model guys have some unconscious desire to collect (horde) engines. I'm guilty myself. I have about 150 engines and probably 130 of them will never be used. From what I understand, my "collection" is tiny compared to others. On another post, someone admitted to having 450 engines (name withheld to protect the Innocent). Why do we do this? Is it a sickness? Do we let our wives know how many we have? Do we display them proudly or hide them away in a locked cabinet? Why why why?

I must be getting better, though. I've stopped wasting money on old motors and just buy dedicated "stunt" engines like the Brodak 40 and such. Also, I've been getting reworks done on some of the others I own. I'm trying to put money into engines that will actually get used.
But, it sure is hard to pass up just one more ST.35!

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Clint,

I don't believe you could have to many ST 46's or 60's. I don't have many tigre's but I have my share of merco 49's and 61's. All mine are rebuild and ready for action, I'm just to slow to get something for each engine, (I've run out of room in the garage and my spouse doesn't think planes take the place of pictures in the home. I've showed her pictures of Windy's planes hanging in the place of pictures, (maybe if mine looked that great she would let me hang some in the home). We have plans to build a place in the back yard but if we did that she probably would want my son and I to move into the back yard, Ha Ha. Great looking engines but that looks like just a start, show them to your wife, be sure to let her know how much they cost, I'm sure she'll tell you to buy more!!! Have a great day, Gary

(Hey!!! Looks for more engines to show up on e-bay!!!)

[Bill Morell]

I was guilty of this myself at one time. For all I know I may be the one Clint has referred to because at one time I did have about 450 engines. Fortunately sanity finally prevailed and I have sold off a bunch. I was quite amazed at how much some of them brought on ebay and private sales. Unless you have them in a display case where they can be enjoyed? it doesn't make much sense. If I had had 450 different engines I might have felt differently about them. However alot of mine were duplicates and I loss nothing by parting with them. I did keep all my G/21 46 Tigres and Johnson engines as those I just couldn't part with. The money from the ones I sold paid for our cruise to Mexico with alot left over. I think we got more enjoyment out of that then I ever got looking at all those engines.

[Bill Heher]

I seem to have more time to surf the web for "deals" than i do to build and fly.  My addiction tends to gravitate to Fox and COX. Made in USA I guess, that's why I added the OK and Testors .049 to the shot.

I spent 10 minutes pulling these out for a pic- there are more Fox 15 / 35 / 45 engines somewhere and a couple TD .010s hiding in the cabinets.

[Randy Powell]

Thankfully, I'm not afflicted with this particular disease. I have maybe 6 or 8 engines and don't generally keep stuff that I'm not planning to use for one project or another. I usually sell off the ones I'm not using or planning to use.

Now, plans; that's another story.

[proparc]

Cause we're guys and they are machines that are precision for the most part and gurls don't like them so there. 

Brother, that's it right there!!!!

[proparc]

I strongly agree with Gary Anderson in that you can't have too many ST 46 and 60's. You can only not have enough. (also, not enough Saito's).

[Randy Powell]

Milt,

I'm a piker. I jsut have one ST 60. well, there's enough rings, cylinders, pistons, heads and such to rebuild it many times over, so I suppose it counts for more than one. but just one case. I went out an looked. Here's my entire engine collection:

2 - OS 40VF (one new in box; never mounted or even had a plug in it).
1 - ST 60 (with above noted parts)
1 - SSW Magnum 53 (completely rebuilt - only thing original is the case; also many spare parts)
1 - OS 40LA (only engine I have no idea what I'll do with - almost new)
1 - OS 46LA (runs like crap - a good door stop)
1 - SSW OS 35FP (now running like an engine - probably find a new home soon)
2 - RO-Jett .65 BSE (self explanatory)
1 - PA 40 UL Merlin (another regularly used engine)
2 - Saito 56 (neither running; both with bent pushrods - might get fixed someday - or not)
1 - RCV 58 (if I could ever fix the crank skipping problem it would be a nice engine - in parts in the box)

That's it. The LA  and FP engines and the 4 strokes will like find new homes at some point. They are unused, though I will likely try 4 strokes again at some point. They are just cool.

OK, so it's 13 engines, but 6 of them are probably going elsewhere.

[FLOYD CARTER]

I don't collect engines on purpose, it just happens!  I've always admired O&R engines, for some strange reason.  Now I have 9 of them!

Floyd

[john e. holliday]

Moving from the basement to the new shop I have found boxes of engines that I had forgot about.  Have not told the wife how many boxes yet as she is already pushing to sell stuff to make room in the shop.  DOC Holliday

[Shultzie]

 
Years ago, as a music major at Pacific University of Forest Grove Oregon...I took a few pre med courses for extra credit....
One course that I found extremely interesting, was a study of the addictive collector personality...and what efforts and sacrifics these human beings will go to to obtain their NEEDFULL THINGS.
 I found this study very interesting but also somewhat equally alarming the risks they impose on their families and friends.

[Keith Spriggs]

My wife and I are both collectors/accumulators. Probably only 20 engines or so. I tell people (and with a touch of pride) that our house looks like a flea market minus the price tags. I have finally admitted to myself that I just love buying stuff. 450 engines would take a little room, but not as much as 13 old cars,which only 7 are drivable or could be made drivable with a little work. Nine tags,taxes, and insurance, including a couple of daily drivers makes 450 engines look very sane and sensible. I still have a lot of my toys and even a small claw hammer that I got when I was 2 days old. Man I would love to be able to go to my estate sale.

I know I am sick and I love every minute of it.