Narrow neck nose / Enlarged neck nose

GallopingGhostler wrote:Was looking for a graphic illustration that I possibly may have saved to no avail, it gave approximate dates to changes in the crankcase over time. All I have is Mark Boesen's Babe Bee nutshell graphic, which doesn't get into crankcase details except for snap starter groove. Wikipedia's Cox Engine article lacks this detail, too. Wikipedia: Cox Model Engine

The narrower Deco curved crankcase journal nose was the earlier one from the 1950's I believe. the thicker one came later, some time in the 1960's, may be mid to latter latter 1960's I believe. the crankcase nose was strengthened to provide better longevity and crash damage resistance. Some time in the 1970's Cox simplified the Deco curved nose to straight to simplify machining.

I've got my share of these, just never got deeply involved in the specifics. Nice collection of Bee's BTW.

According to the handbook, The first case developed was the narrow neck, then around 1968 they changed to the enlarged neck "due to failure during crashes." The straight nose arrived early 1970.

Bob

Ken Cook wrote:Bob, while I really like the appearance of the small case, I broke many of them as a kid. I used to fly a lot over asphalt which probably wasn't a bad thing. It taught me not to crash. It also taught me to do what was needed in the event of a crash.  I just threw all of my broken parts away. I had this stuff for 40 years just sitting in a little red case. I kept thinking what the heck am I doing with this stuff. I suppose it's hard to part with stuff. I disposed of dozens of backplates. After seeing the request for a used one, I was thinking uh oh, maybe I shouldn't tossed them.

You brought back memories of my early flights Ken.

In my mind I still can clearly see and feel the disappointment when I saw one of my early Babe Bee's with a mushroomed case and bent over prop drive washer after a crash.  I remember at least two that way.  Another $4.95 out the window I yelled.  Course, I was to blame.  

I wish I had saved them too.  

Bob

KariFS wrote:Thanks for posting the picture Bob!

I’ll need look at my collection more closely now. I do know I have at least one product engine without the spring groove and a couple of Babe Bees with the text on the tank, so their noses have to be of the narrow type. The wider nose is the most rare of them, being in production for only two years, not sure if I have any of those.

Maybe I need to get that book too

The book is a wonderful reference, and a curse Kari.  

I started to document the variations and gave up on just these.  



Cylinders 1/2/3 etc, cases, back plates, drive washers, spinners, throttles, needles, horseshoes, postage stamps, colors.  Combinations on combinations.  

After 20 or so I just said they are all different and ripped up my paper.  

Boggles the mind.  

That's one of the things that stopped me too Rod, No way was I going to disassemble all those pictured engines to check that groove, to say nothing about dealing with those additional engines inside the display case.

Great job davenz on that .049 identification sheet. Much simpler and easier to understand than what I attempted to construct.

I started with a series of columns listing the variations - Cylinders, Cases, Back plates, Colors, etc. Then assigned an inventory number to each engine 1,2,3, etc. then used check marks within each column with the idea of adding up each check mark within each column.

Excedrin headache #9.

Great picture of the case insides Mark.

Then there are the car engines with their various drives, colors, heat sinks, crank shafts, cases (front groove), and cooling mechanisms. More boggle!!





And yes, the Wen's/Testor's had their variations too Mark, but were they as extensive as Cox????

Mark Boesen wrote:Great looking collection sir!

Yes, there's appx. 26-30 different variations for the Wen-Mac series.

Oh dear...........More boggle.

Mark Boesen wrote:yep, not counting the variations of the engines, 27 models for '52-'66


https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/049Collectors/files

It's hard to believe that Wen Macs would even approach the variations available in Cox engines, even if you tossed out all the TD's.

I sold most of my Wen/Testor/Ok Cub parts engines on ebay.  It's amazing what they went for.  



Thinking about doing the same with my OK Cubs.

Now that's a pretty picture. Diesels too, never saw them before. Out of the box?

Bob

Mark Boesen wrote:no, they're just new or like new, i got them from Guy Eves, 'bout 20 years ago.

Bob Beecroft used to open up the ports on a Cub and get pretty strong RPM out of them, but your right, a Cub if not fitted or broke in properly (or correct oil) can wear out in 1/2 doz. flights

Well Mark, you have peaked my interest in Cubs.  Glad I didn't sell them all, including the one I offered you NIB a year or so ago.  

But, the best of mine do not glow like yours in the picture.  Guy must have carefully disassembled and polished all of them, or am I mistaken....again?



If my notes on the bags are correct, I test ran at least two - (red anodized fuel tanks).  Probably Cox 25% with added castor.  

There is one Diesel Cub on ebay right now, but after seeing yours, I'm a no-sale.  Maybe I'm finally over the worst of the worst. Going to mount them some how and bring them in out of the cold.

Bob