Cox Model Engine Handbook

GallopingGhostler wrote:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cox-Model-Engine-Handbook/183576806415

That's about $80 AUD shipped.

I don't what to sound like a tightwad, but there's a lot of other stuff I could get for that.  That's not to diminish the value of the book

I have had this book for several months now, and refer to it occasionally and quote it here in some of my threads. But, it's not as wonderful or complete as I thought it would be. That said it's a valuable resource and I wouldn't be without it.

rsv1cox wrote:I have had this book for several months now, and refer to it occasionally and quote it here in some of my threads.  But, it's not as wonderful or complete as I thought it would be.  That said it's a valuable resource and I wouldn't be without it.

Agreed. I've spent a LOT of time paging through it, and for someone at my level, it's pretty enjoyable. MANY unknown (to me) items listed along with some of their histories.

A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing Kim

It's a non-issue for now, it is gone. Someone bought it, may be even someone who's in this forum.
I'm with Rod on the money situation and understand shipping cost hurdles.

Long gone are the days of less costly surface sea-mail. I remember ordering photography stuff from T.M. Chan in Hong Kong back in the 1970's, shipping then was reasonable from there to Hawaii.
I'm not a collector, got only 20 Cox engines and they are all either production or retail aircraft engines.  

If there is any info that I need, I can usually find it on-line, search for it in this forum or get it answered from someone here.
This forum is a sufficient compendium for me.

Probably can still order it here:

https://www.modelenginecollecting.com/Cox%20Web%20Material/Cox-Book.html

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Mudhen wrote:

rsv1cox wrote:...But, it's not as wonderful or complete as I thought it would be.  That said it's a valuable resource and I wouldn't be without it.

If a similar book were published, what kind of information would you like to see/read?
What would make the work enjoyable?
I real am curious...
This is for all in the forum:
If you had a say, what would you like to see?

When I wrote that I was trying to remember exactly what the book did not address that I was looking for so I could be specific. I remember it was a common item and expressed it in one of my posts. I just can't find it. I did find a reference in my Silver Bee thread, but that wasn't it. It will come to me eventually and I will address it then.

Minor gripes, I find the indexes confusing and I had to hunt for the meaning of "ECJ" quoted in all the engine pictures but not well defined in the introduction.

Not having ever seen the book, does it give detaiiled model year changes?

I see a lot of repeat questions on the forum year after year. Most probably don’t have the book, so repeat questions are expected. It never hurts to get re-educated either.

Ron

Cribbs74 wrote:Not having ever seen the book, does it give detaiiled model year changes?

I see a lot of repeat questions on the forum year after year. Most probably don’t have the book, so repeat questions are expected. It never hurts to get re-educated either.

Ron

It references pages in the Engine Collectors Journals (ECJ)

So you need to purchase another book to decipher?

Cribbs74 wrote:So you need to purchase another book to decipher?

Just find back copies of the Journal and/or subscribe.

https://www.modelenginecollecting.com/collectors-journal.html

Bob

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If those pictures Bob posted are representative of the book then there is not much of a description.

So:

Years produced to include introductory year.
Variations and when they happened
Models used in (if applicable)
Maybe a brief description of the base engine used ie: Babe Bee modified for use in the Cox Mercedes.
Cylinder type, taper or non taper numbering
Head type.
Anodize colors and years changed ie: gold to silver
Plastic colors and year changes

I see that it does contain some or all of that info already, Maybe just proper sentences in bullet format.


The ECJ stuff can stay in I suppose, just all those page references make the text cluttered. Perhaps instead of each ECJ reference just a picture and brief description.

Ron

Still the best reference for Cox engines and products IMO.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cox_model_engine

In Hawaii we have a monthly magazine called Hawaii Fishing News.  After years of tips and tricks on fishing submitted to the  magazine there was enough material to publish three books on the subject.
I think a collaborating of sorts with all the people with knowledge in this forum and elsewhere to write a book on the evolution of Cox engines including prototyping, successes and fails and maybe interviews with engineers, machine operators who are still with us. Also the aftermarket industry and the whys and why not in the modifications.  There is also a lot of hobbyists using Cox parts to make their own version of engines. That could be a section in the book.   A plus would be actual written tips and experiences by contributing writers like Paul G. , Mudhen, etc.

What I would love to read is stories about the development of engines and components, from the heyday of COX, told by former employees..read COX ads from the 60-s and 70-s...see photos on the factory and people working the machinery...I would have loved to work there at 1505 East Warner Avenue in Santa Ana..made 2 pilgrimages there in the recent years just to see where my engines were born..man I was late by some 30 years..

coxaddict wrote:In Hawaii we have a monthly magazine called Hawaii Fishing News.  After years of tips and tricks on fishing submitted to the  magazine there was enough material to publish three books on the subject.
I think a collaborating of sorts with all the people with knowledge in this forum and elsewhere to write a book on the evolution of Cox engines including prototyping, successes and fails and maybe interviews with engineers, machine operators who are still with us. Also the aftermarket industry and the whys and why not in the modifications.  There is also a lot of hobbyists using Cox parts to make their own version of engines. That could be a section in the book.   A plus would be actual written tips and experiences by contributing writers like Paul G. , Mudhen, etc.

This...

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Is it possible that the Bill of Material was for a different 350-2 engine? Similar to how the number 350-3 was used for two very different engines, one used in the Sea Bee boat and the one used in the Mercedes Benz? I did confirm by looking at the Mercedes manual and the Sea Bee parts list that the engines are indeed numbered 350-3 by Cox.

If this was the case, the 350-2 mentioned as not being produced should have included some details to differentiate it from the 350-2 that was produced.


Getting the experts and the mega collectors we have on the forum together to write a book would be really good. If anything, Mud, you need to write a book. I'd be the first to buy a copy.

Mudhen wrote:]

I admit some of Dan's work befuddled me.
In one section he claims an engine was not produced, (350-2,) and then on the same page, claims that it was.
In the Mercedes engine section he lists two ECJ numbered engines, one of which has a specific date. Yet, when you read the parts list, it's identical.
What changed? And why is the engine upright?

The upright Mercedes engine appears on an episode of “Leave It To Beaver”

I always thought it was odd that that Mercedes had the cylinder sticking through the hood. Figured it was some kind of prototype thing.

Ron

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That is exactly what I was thinking. Clear informative easy to read text

Nice. Where do I buy a copy?