HEAD FOR FOX ROCKET?

[Andrew Tinsley]

Hello,
I have just obtained a selection of spare parts. I wanted some diesel P/Ls but amongst the junk .....er, I mean spares, was a Fox Rocket minus the head. It looks in reasonable condition and I wondered if most any old six bolt Fox head would fit, or is it some type of special? I realise that it is no good for stunt, but I always like to put engines back in to running order, if only to learn a little more about them. Apart from the Stunt 35 I have little experince of any Fox engines except for the 0.49.
I assume it is a .35 because of its size, were there .29 and .40 Rocket models marketed? If so maybe I need to get my vernier calipers out!

Regards,

Andrew.

[Robert Redmon]

The Rocket was made in different flavors, at least 2. One was made primarily for rat racing and is likely no good for stunt; however, one variety of Fox Rocket was just an economy engine (about $7 at the Base Exchange in the early 60s), and was a good general purpose engine. It was my first "big" engine and powered a variety of airplanes, starting with a Sterling Ringmaster. Although I never owned one, I believe the RR version had a MUCH larger venturi than the GP version and may have had a needle bearing on the crank (memory is weak after 50 or so years). I think the head was painted red, ala McCoy. The el cheapo version had a small venturi and bronze sleeve crank bearing, which wore out before the piston and sleeve in mine. My rocket served me well for over 20 years until the connecting rod finally gave up the ghost in about 1973, probably because I had started running RC fuel in it. I just pitched it in the trash bin at the time.  I had not yet learned to be nostalgic. In comparison, I owned 2 McCoy Red Heads during the same period and neither lasted more than a couple years.

Bob Redmon
AMA 58073

[Garf]

I have one with a 36X head on it.

[Jim Thomerson]

I have a spare head off a 1961 Combat Special.  The case has a rocket on the side, and apparently was made by taking the Rocket sport model case and cutting off the front end for the needle bearing, square venturi front end. I'll have to look and compare.  I have a vague impression that the head would also fit a Fox stunt 35 and give it a little hop up.  Be glad to send you the head if you want to try it.

[john e. holliday]

I have a Fox Rocket Readhead I got obtained off the bay.  Was a little contankerous getting started.  Once started it surprised me with it's power.   Does need some break in time.