AMF Wen-Mac parts or help

goody Tue Oct 29, 2013 11:30 am

Hi new to the group, I have a 1960 vintage Wen Mac MK XIII 0.049 engine that I am trying to get into running condition. I need help on the head/glow plug. I cannot find a replacement, measures at 14.150 mm 0.75 mm pitch or in imperial 0.555 inch at 36tpi OD, thread depth is 4 threads, also no head gasket. I think the original design of the plug was the gasket was integral to the plug as there is a fine aluminum ring on the base of the plug cut in that is only 0.010" thick, this is cracked. Hence the original is shot, the body is badly damaged so I'm not able to modify it for a 1/4 replacement type plug. I can make a new head but no way to cut the threads, my lathe does not have threading capability, (old Unimat). I have an old TD type plug but the thread diameter is too small, 1/2".

Any Ideas on a tap and die set for this fine of pitch, location of a plug, or replacement head?

The top of the glow plug has flats instead of spanner notches.

pat

SuperDave Tue Oct 29, 2013 11:52 am

I'm not aware of any Wen-Mac parts sources though someone here may be. (Long ago I bought a three-pound coffee can full of assorted .049 parts (INCLUDING We-Mac) at a swap meet.

In your instance I believe a replacement a better avenue than repair of your part. (Once stripped thread repair in aluminum is a chance proposition)

Wen-macs turn up on the 'Bay too. You may find a "parts engine" reasonably priced that has exactly what you need.

Keep looking and you shall find! Good luck!

SD

Kim Tue Oct 29, 2013 12:13 pm

Yo Pat!

I got several "orphaned" Wen Mac carcasses !!! If no one else jumps in, I'll check back in tonight after work and we'll get SOMETHING matched up !!!

Wen Mac Kim

And...in spite of the brand of THIS particular thread...Welcome to the World-Famous Cox Engine Forum !!!!

SuperDave Tue Oct 29, 2013 12:16 pm

There ya' go Pat!

CECF to the rescue.

SD

goody Tue Oct 29, 2013 4:00 pm

goody wrote:Hi new to the group, I have a 1960 vintage Wen Mac MK XIII 0.049 engine that I am trying to get into running condition. I need help on the head/glow plug. I cannot find a replacement, measures at 14.150 mm 0.75 mm pitch or in imperial 0.555 inch at 36tpi OD, thread depth is 4 threads, also no head gasket. I think the original design of the plug was the gasket was integral to the plug as there is a fine aluminum ring on the base of the plug cut in that is only 0.010" thick, this is cracked. Hence the original is shot, the body is badly damaged so I'm not able to modify it for a 1/4 replacement type plug. I can make a new head but no way to cut the threads, my lathe does not have threading capability, (old Unimat). I have an old TD type plug but the thread diameter is too small, 1/2".

Any Ideas on a tap and die set for this fine of pitch, location of a plug, or replacement head?

The top of the glow plug has flats instead of spanner notches.

pat

It came off a COX model, an SNJ3 Navy trainer, first plane I bought at 12, only flew it once or twice the rest of the time was waiting for parts, it didn't hold up to cow pasture much.

It lived for a while on a Wizard I built, then gave it to my Nephew. Then I flew it on a 1/2 A combat zero.

Hey has anyone ever seen a 1.5 I^3 cox gasoline two stroke, we had it on a small chain saw.

pat

**RknRusty** Tue Oct 29, 2013 5:46 pm

If it's the yellow Cox Chainsaw, one or two of our members has one.

goody Tue Oct 29, 2013 9:02 pm

RknRusty wrote:If it's the yellow Cox Chainsaw, one or two of our members has one.

Yep that would be the beast, not sure which of my brothers has it but was nearly useless for cutting anything but brush and that only marginal at best, it did rev nicely though.

pat

Kim Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:25 pm

Hey Pat,

The closest thing I could find at the moment is this MK-II core. Did you say there are flats on the your cylinder head's top? That sounds like the head of a later model than the MK-III. I'm still looking...should find some more parts here shortly.

Kim Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:29 pm

Ah Crap...sorry...I mis-read the Mk #...durn rednecks! Back in a bit!

Mark Boesen Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:36 pm

Any short glowplug will work or add two extra gaskets, three total and use a long 'reach' plug

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/7H1wUuTzFf7njKn3pIgidSZ9aXqNmPKpu1CiZzKWXLIPb4tigQG-qExHl6rgj6G2XToKcsT6BVHy3nyBEXio/Wen-Mac.pps

**Cribbs74** Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:48 pm

What does a MKIII look like? I several testors/wen mac engines that I have no use for. $20 including shipping and they are yours.

Kim Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:54 pm

OK...reboot time: I got this MK-XIII. It's got no gasket though.

Both glowheads "attempt" to glow. I can clean and test them tomorrow.

Kim Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:56 pm

Sorry Ron...I was typing during your post...

Mark Boesen Tue Oct 29, 2013 11:08 pm

opps! lol, i saw the XII and knew it was the later version, but my o'l brain was telling me (as i saw Kim pic) that it was a early version!

About all you can do is look on ebay or hopefully someone here has one, you could always drill it out and tap for a short glow plug.

Its funny that several 1/2 manufactures used common dimensions with Cox engines, but the threads on theses are not.

Kim Wed Oct 30, 2013 5:26 am

My fault for continuing my "mis-cue" Mark !! I just skimmed Pat's note yesterday at work, and the term "1960" locked into my brain. Got home late (for me) last night, and was still looking for the type of that year or close to it.

Anyway Pat, let me know on this MK-III. I think it's starter spring is good, though it's castor-stuck at the moment. It's also missing it's n.v. and prop nut, but maybe your originals will still work? I'll send the thing to you for postage if you think it'd be worth messing with.

Mark Boesen Wed Oct 30, 2013 10:16 am

yep, maybe that's what my brain was 'seeing' along with photo, lol!

Didn't somebody at sometime make a glowhead adapter for that engine?

Kim Wed Oct 30, 2013 10:51 am

Think so...but also thought Pat was going for as original as possible. We'll see when he checks in...

microflitedude Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:49 am

In all the years I have been looking I have never seen a Wen-Mac plug for sale on its own. You can find parts engines for less than $10 and just pull parts off you need.

goody Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:19 pm

Kim wrote:Think so...but also thought Pat was going for as original as possible. We'll see when he checks in...

Kim the Mk XIII picture you posted is the right one. The head in the far right is the one I have left. I use to buy my heads from Testors I think, don't really remember. I at one time had several heads, and a cylinder but they have been lost in 50 years. According to the 0.049 users group the Mk XII and XIII are interchangeable, mfg dates 1964-1966. The difference in the motors is Testors on the Mk XII. Heads and a needle valve or two would be good, or if you want to get rid of it I can take the whole motor. I would like to be able take a burned out plug and adapt it to use a standard short 1/4 in. plug. I have both pieces of my needle valve and can possibly silver braze it back together. I can also turn a new one from 3/16" bar but the compound taper may be a problem, very crude machinist skills, and a Unimat micro lathe.

pat

goody Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:28 pm

Cribbs74 wrote:What does a MKIII look like? I several testors/wen mac engines that I have no use for. $20 including shipping and they are yours.

Yes I would be interested, just for parts if nothing else. I want to try and get this running to put it on a foamy, will have to figure out how to do the muffler throttle that was the 1966 engine option. Also looking for a manual.

pat

Mark Boesen Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:09 am

goody Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:40 am

Mark Boesen wrote:

WOW, this group is totally fantastic. This was the plane I had, but mine was Cox not Testors, according what I read the Thunderbolt engine was 1966, mine was from 1964, and this one had the throttle. Testors bought Wen-Mac in 1964/5 time frame. More detail on the engine would be nice to be able to figure out how to make a throttle so I can fly it RC.

pat

Kim Thu Oct 31, 2013 5:44 am

goody wrote:
Kim wrote:Think so...but also thought Pat was going for as original as possible. We'll see when he checks in...
Kim the Mk XIII picture you posted is the right one. The head in the far right is the one I have left. I use to buy my heads from Testors I think, don't really remember. I at one time had several heads, and a cylinder but they have been lost in 50 years. According to the 0.049 users group the Mk XII and XIII are interchangeable, mfg dates 1964-1966. The difference in the motors is Testors on the Mk XII. Heads and a needle valve or two would be good, or if you want to get rid of it I can take the whole motor. I would like to be able take a burned out plug and adapt it to use a standard short 1/4 in. plug. I have both pieces of my needle valve and can possibly silver braze it back together. I can also turn a new one from 3/16" bar but the compound taper may be a problem, very crude machinist skills, and a Unimat micro lathe.

pat

Hey Pat,

Yeah the poor Wen Mac needles AWAYS took it on the chin, and they're the one item I have to swap around to run my engines. There are probably some in Ron's batch, so you should be in business. If you think you have a use for this engine, I got it turning easy with good compression, and the spring starter IS good! (Miracles!)

Anyway. let me know and I'll shoot it to you on the cheap !

Waking Kim

Mark Boesen Thu Oct 31, 2013 9:32 am

Pat, its a Testors, not Cox. There were several companies manufacturing plastic 'ready to fly' control line gas powered airplanes in the 60's: Comet, Aurora, Gilbert, Wen-Mac & Cox.

To use with a throttle, you'd need the throttle assembly and then basically connect that to a servo.

goody Thu Oct 31, 2013 10:34 am

Mark Boesen wrote:Pat, its a Testors, not Cox. There were several companies manufacturing plastic 'ready to fly' control line gas powered airplanes in the 60's: Comet, Aurora, Gilbert, Wen-Mac & Cox.

To use with a throttle, you'd need the throttle assembly and then basically connect that to a servo.

I saw a picture of the throttle assembly on a parts list, the throttle is a muffler/throttle assembly the cylinder has to be modified or a throttle cylinder needs to be made or found the fins above and below the exhaust port are missing. I think someone was offering up both styles of engines on ebay, but sans throttle. I'm sure I can figure it out. According to the 0.049 users group the Testors label wasn't until 1966, I know I got mine in 1964 I remember it came with a can of COX fuel, was almost certain it was a Cox oh well guess it was a Wen-Mac then, at least that is what the motor has on it. They also had the glow plug thread specs., .5575 40tpi, I measured .555 36tpi, my guess is 14.150 X 0.75 is most likely the correct thread, since it is a standard extra fine thread.

Finding out a lot of information.

Thanks Pat

Sponsored content

AMF Wen-Mac parts or help