Cox O Forty-five?

Ivanhoe Sun Jun 24, 2012 3:05 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqMRd-Bhob8&feature=player_embedded

Anyone know anything about this car engine? It's claimed to be a Cox but doesn't seem to have any Cox parts!

microflitedude Sun Jun 24, 2012 3:31 pm

From the Aerotools site -

045 O-Forty-Five (0.8 cm³)
Manufactured in 1949

This engine was the first engine which was designed and at least partially manufactured by Cox.. Only a few but vital parts like piston and cylinder were purchased from Mel Anderson. The engine was used in the Cox Special tether car, which was a big success in the market.

The design is very clever and resulted in a relatively cheap power unit named "Power Pak" which could be easily added to race cars.

The parts breakdown shows the core engine at the bottom center. The planetary gearbox at the left has three small gears and is lubricated by the oil in the engine exhaust. The exhaust gas passes through the rectangular exhaust pipe at the upper left. To the right of the engine block we see the fuel tank unit with a large wire screen filter and the hollow axle. Twin reed valves are used and a standard glow plug. This reed valve system can be found later in the Space Bug engine.

This engine already shows a remarkable complexity and high precision which was later to become typical for Cox.