Cox .051 Tee Dee Repair

Some of you may recall that last March, I had purchased a used Tee Dee .051 with a plastic RTF power pod for R/C glider use:

https://www.coxengineforum.com/t17192-thrust-angle-for-a-power-pod#222326



Today with the blowing snow in Clovis in blizzard conditions, I started on disassembling the engine for repair. To remove the prop thrust plate, I simply backed it off by loosening the venturi retainer collar (nut) with the Cox wrench. It cooperated quite nicely without due force.



Then using combination pliers, destructively twisted off the old non-repairable plastic venturi body.



The engine is in good condition, has very good compression. Previous owner had 2 glow head gaskets installed, head is higher compression Tee Dee. But, the top of the piston is heavily carboned. Because the previous owner mounted this only on the power pod, which does not use the side mounting lugs, the holes are extremely clean, like new. The stainless steel prop thrust washer shows evidence of possibly electric starter use, as rubbing my thumbnail over the part polished by the crankcase, there is a slightly worn, polished groove. I don't think this would be present by hand starting with say, a Cox starter spring.

The crankcase shows some aging and can use exterior clean-up. the collar has some light tooling marks from Cox wrench use. I can clean these up with a little aluminum polish.

One thing I do not have is the needle valve ratchet spring, it did not come with the venturi or spring but have the needle valve and spraybar. I checked on E-Bay, the springs are now commanding a premium, say at least $20 plus shipping. I did find a packaged mislabled by Cox spring and needle setup for a reedie but labled for Tee Dee.

Undaunted, I may be able to come up with something that will work.

The brass prop thrust plate was manhandled with a set of pliers, marring it. If I had a lathe, could take off a couple thousandths of an inch off and reuse. But fortunately through a combination of purchases from Cox International and EX Model Engines, I have sufficient parts to restore this engine to perfect running condition.

Once I get the back off and further degreasing / cleaning, I will reset the socket.