A totally-unscientific-test-that-proves-absolutely-nothing-but-here-it-is.....

The McCoys are virtually bulletproof. I just picked up a new .19 ,never been ran, for a few sheckles.

Me playing the devils advocate again, there are complete gasket rebuild kits on ebay. I picked one up last year and they are a good kit with quality gaskets.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Kits-McCOY-35-RH-BH-Gasket-Kits-Nylon-Crank-Spacers-/130761386769?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e71fc6b11

PV Pilot wrote:The McCoys are virtually bulletproof. I just picked up a new .19 ,never been ran, for a few sheckles.

Me playing the devils advocate again, there are complete gasket rebuild kits on ebay. I picked one up last year and they are a good kit with quality gaskets.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Kits-McCOY-35-RH-BH-Gasket-Kits-Nylon-Crank-Spacers-/130761386769?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e71fc6b11

Thanks! Think I'll get the old dog a set or two !!!!

Kim wrote:So, THERE I WAS...MINDING my own business, when Rolla asks me in a P.M.: "Which has more power: A Fox .35 or a McCoy .35?".

Well, I didn't know. BUT I did have two fairly-well abused examples of both, so...

Here's my not-so-red Redhead .35. This poor, abused amalgamation of alloys has suffered every physical insult capable of any red-blooded American 14 year-old. It's digested any and every concoction that could optimistically be called "fuel". It's laid, un-oiled, un-wrapped, for years, sharing the company of bellcranks, burnt-out glowplugs, propeller hubs, and assorted bolts and nuts.

Apparently not taking any of this personally, it happily fired up and ran an average of 10k with a somewhat balanced 10-6 M.A. on 10% Glowplugboy fuel.

So...the answer...I STILL don't know...but had some fun messing around with my engines....

Ha, that reads like something I might have written.

I love the bent needle on the Redhead. It's got character.

Hey thanks Kim. Now I know they will both be good options. The McCoy is a bit fatter but stronger structurally than my old Fox.

Rolla

I just thought I would give my insight to the Mccoy engines. The Mccoy as I stated before was a inexpensive low quality engine. That was all it's initial attempt was ever to be. It had no crank bushing until the Lightning bolt cases were introduced. The engine with it's sintered piston was the downfall of the engine. I've witnessed these engines literally run ONE time and they were shot. Yes, I do have some that will defy most doubting Thomas's. I love them actually, but truth be told they were cheap at one point the engines were $5.95 at the same time the Fox.35 was selling for double. Duke Fox's motive was to provide an inexpensive engine to the working man and hobbyist. The metallurgy of the Fox.35 is nothing to write home about, the Mccoy on the other hand had several flaws. The Mccoy had brass end pads on the wrist pins that again would cut grooves right into the cylinder walls not too mention the wrist pin which would egg out the hole in the piston. Fox realized this as well and stopped using brass end pads in their engines and went to circlips. The Mccoy piston was comprised of a powdered metal under heat. This typically led to failure. While they're running enjoy them and feed them plenty of oil. I certainly wouldn't compare a Fox to a Mccoy for longevity as the Fox will win hands down. I have over 10 Mccoy paper weights here to prove it. This is the reasoning that I've machined the cases to accept the Mccoy series 21 Dykes ring and piston setup. George Aldrich said it best, The Mccoy .40 was probably the best stunt engine ever produced at the time, unfortunately the quality wasn't there and he would rechrome the sleeves. If you come across one of George's Mccoy's it's a serious keeper. Ken

Man, when people talk like that I hesitate to put the engine on a model I like. To get it to fit I have to open the engine bearers up pretty good. I have to cut enough wood away to the point that a Fox or similar engine would not fit. Maybe I should just sell/trade off the McCoy and work on getting a decent Fox.

Rolla

...or maybe a cheep FP?

How cheap and what displacement? Can you send me a pm?

Rolla

Godsey3.0 wrote:Man, when people talk like that I hesitate to put the engine on a model I like. To get it to fit I have to open the engine bearers up pretty good. I have to cut enough wood away to the point that a Fox or similar engine would not fit. Maybe I should just sell/trade off the McCoy and work on getting a decent Fox.

Rolla

Rolla,

Does the kit call for a specific engine? Most .35 size kits are designed around the Fox .35

Swapping an engine isn't a big deal and you can modify things if you need to. You could run the McCoy and if it works then great if not then throw something else in there.

The McCoy takes up more space than a Fox. I would have to do some cutting to get it to fit. After that I would then have to manage to replave the mounting blocks to fit the Fox.

The kit calls for a .19 to a .40.

Rolla

If your not so much into nostalgia and just want a power plant, get on eBay and pick up a .25 O.S FP or LA or a Tower, Thunder Tiger, Magum, etc., etc..you should find a nice one for $25. A good FP .25 will have a lot more power then a Fox, will always start first flip or two, doesn't need a ton of castor. You run it in a rich two cycle and don’t need to worry about a 2-4-2 break.

http://www.ebay.com/dsc/Airplanes-Helicopters-/34056/i.html?Part=Engine%252FMotor%2520Components%7CEngines&LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=.25&_pppn=r1&_dmpt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories

Rolla, I'm not trying to persuade you from using the Mccoy redhead. I'm just explaining what can happen. I've swapped the Fox into the Mccoy spacing. It works. Yes it's wider. but it still has enough meat to work. Some Mccoy's came with slotted holes to fit existing hole spacing. Like I said, these engines work and they work good, but don't fall in love with the engine. It could very possibly have a short life no matter how much care you put into it. Also, weigh the lifespan of the model. If your learning and you would like some airtime without a big expense, this is the engine to use. These engines have a terrific stunt run. I find them to start pretty readily as well. These engines are quite loud and really have a bark to them. Flying them for me can only be done in remote areas. I have several which my father purchased in the 60's. I have one .29 still new in the blister pack. Some have stood the test of time and I truly enjoy them. I also had another on a Bislob that I watched the prop windmill after a landing due to it losing all of it's compression. These engines have a domed shaped piston. I know guys that have put these engines in a fixture, and lightly hit the piston in the center with a hammer. This expands the sides, they then lap the piston into the sleeve and have obtained more life from it. If you have a Mccoy that's working then by all means use it. Ken

Ken Cook wrote: Rolla, I'm not trying to persuade you from using the Mccoy redhead. I'm just explaining what can happen. I've swapped the Fox into the Mccoy spacing. It works. Yes it's wider. but it still has enough meat to work. Some Mccoy's came with slotted holes to fit existing hole spacing. Like I said, these engines work and they work good, but don't fall in love with the engine. It could very possibly have a short life no matter how much care you put into it. Also, weigh the lifespan of the model. If your learning and you would like some airtime without a big expense, this is the engine to use. These engines have a terrific stunt run. I find them to start pretty readily as well. These engines are quite loud and really have a bark to them. Flying them for me can only be done in remote areas. I have several which my father purchased in the 60's. I have one .29 still new in the blister pack. Some have stood the test of time and I truly enjoy them. I also had another on a Bislob that I watched the prop windmill after a landing due to it losing all of it's compression. These engines have a domed shaped piston. I know guys that have put these engines in a fixture, and lightly hit the piston in the center with a hammer. This expands the sides, they then lap the piston into the sleeve and have obtained more life from it. If you have a Mccoy that's working then by all means use it. Ken

I wonder if you could restore cox cylinders that way? Of course you would have to mushroom the piston on purpose to make it work.

If you want a Scientific comparison, here you go..........







I have an excellent McCoy 35, and I want a Fox 35, if I ever find one for a bargain price!

Wilf