sure start time line

1975 control line guy Tue Aug 20, 2024 7:45 am

Looking on eBay for some .049 engines and saw a what looked like an older Thimble Drome body with a sure start cylinder. Just wondering if this a cobbled together engine?

GallopingGhostler Tue Aug 20, 2024 9:50 am

Possibly could be cobbled, the double slit exhaust didn't come about until sometime in the latter 1970's. Also, owner could have a worn out cylinder and replaced with a later available cylinder, so it would run.

BTW, welcome to the forum!

KariFS Tue Aug 20, 2024 2:20 pm

Welcome!

The very early Thimble Drome glowheads had a smaller diameter thread. That type of head became obsolete / unobtianable through Cox at some point, so if the glowhead burned out, the cylinder had to be replaced too in order to keep the engine functional. Fortunately, the thread on the cylinder base is same on all the 049s.

A thin-wall cylinder would be more period correct and should not be too hard to find. The engine probably runs just as well with the late model, but might look a bit odd for Cox nerds like myself lol!

GallopingGhostler Tue Aug 20, 2024 7:58 pm

KariFS wrote:The engine probably runs just as well with the late model, but might look a bit odd for Cox nerds like myself

Oddness, non-compliance and a tasteful photo might net one a Cox Engine of the Month winner! Very Happy

1975 control line guy Tue Aug 20, 2024 11:32 pm

KariFS wrote:Welcome!

The very early Thimble Drome glowheads had a smaller diameter thread. That type of head became obsolete / unobtianable through Cox at some point, so if the glowhead burned out, the cylinder had to be replaced too in order to keep the engine functional. Fortunately, the thread on the cylinder base is same on all the 049s.

A thin-wall cylinder would be more period correct and should not be too hard to find. The engine probably runs just as well with the late model, but might look a bit odd for Cox nerds like myself

Good to know, thank you for the info.

GallopingGhostler Wed Aug 21, 2024 12:12 am

I've got one of those pre-1956 Cox .049 Thermal Hoppers, story here:
https://www.coxengineforum.com/t17211-cox-049-thermal-hopper-a-never-ending-story

The Thermal Hoppers from 1956 on could use the latest common glow heads. However, if I want, I can change the cylinder on this one to a later one, then use a standard head. It would still be in vogue if I replace the cylinder piston set with one of my thin cylinder ones off one of my other engines.

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