Cox Olympic Question

ian1954 wrote:I don't think that Cox tested any engine before it left the factory - this was mass production at its finest.

These engines are over 50 years old and so, dependant upon storage, the copper layer on top of the piston may show some discolouration - it is copper!

However, the discolouration should just be a darkening of the copper. It may not be bright and shiny but it will not be blackened.



The piston on the left I can guarantee has not been used but is not bright and shiny. The one on the right is one from an Olympic I am restoring - that has definitely been used!

Ian,

Thanks! The picture of the engine on the left is very similar to the two engines I have seen. Andy

Now for something that forum members could find disturbing.

The piston on the right can be seen in the picture below. It came from a very well used Olympic that was seized solid, had elongated mounting holes, and the mounting bracket was broken ..................

After stripping the engine, it was either for spares or repair. The crankcase was the priority - no useable crankcase = spares. So the mounting holes and other damage were "welded" and the mounting holes redrilled the correct size in the correct place. Unfortunately, I can't find the original pictures that I took but if you look closely you will see a slightly different "shade" or "shine" where the new metal is.



Eventually, these will polish in and blend.

However, back to pistons.

The used piston that I posted is here - blackened and heavily varnished.



I took this - cleaned it, polished it and then replated the copper. (10 minutes total!)



Bright, shiny and new looking! But is it unused? Definitely not!

Nice restoration work Ian. The scary part is, engines like that could be posted on E-Bay as a new engine and buyers would be none the wiser which is why I am always Leery of buying engines from E-Bay.

Shawn