Tell me about this K&B 40 please

Kari, the engine looks a lot like this engine:



This picture comes from the Mecoa site. It's model number 8011

http://www.mecoa.com/kb/parts.htm

There is an exploded view and a parts list.

Lieven

These engines aren't worth much. You can get one on eBay for $30 or so

I have an rc carb for it if you're interested. Maybe a muffler too

OK, Thanks guys. Maybe I'll pass for now. It has been listed and re-listed a few times already, and since it would need additional "investments" of maybe 30€ Or more for the venturi and nva, I'll probably be better off with another, complete engine that might show up sometime.

Dht, Thanks for the offer. If this one becomes listed for a low starting price I would probably be interested.

Thanks again

Now I'll just need to talk myself out of bidding on a sweet and apparently never run orange Cox Baja Bug

I have three of these and most of the parts are still available. All came as parts engines and I've managed to assemble two runners. As mentioned, they're not worth much but still a very good engine with a good reputation. They seem well made and it's handy being able to reverse the crankcase to place the exhaust on whichever side you prefer. Mine are both the early Torpedos, but the same engine. Later ones came with a different front housing, crank & prop driver, as well as mounting provision for a muffler. They come in either ringed or ABC. First time I tried to run one I was pretty disappointed with the compression and couldn't get it to start easily. I found that this is fairly typical of a dykes ring. The ring has little tension to seal and relies on compression pressure forcing the ring out against the liner. One little blast with an electric starter and the thing bursts into life and runs quite powerfully.
I also have a couple of K&B sportsters, a .20 and a .28. I think I paid less than $20 each and they can still be purchased new at around $90. While they are cheap and seen as a low-end "throw away" engine, mine are the nicest running engines I own. Start easy, idle and transition beautifully and run really quiet with the original muffler. They are AAC. Aluminium bore & piston, with the piston being chromed.

My ultimate project would be a 337 Skymaster with the .28 in the front & .20 in the rear. Engines are identical externally.

Rod.

There's currently this one.
Torpedo .40- ebay

And this.
Another ebay Torpedo

Back-in-the-day....(mid eighties) the K&B .40 R/C was a hot rod and the most popular Q500 engine out there, as well as boat, ducted fan, FAI, etc.! But, soon the imports took over and K&B became a lesser brand, much like Fox, and both probably somewhat deserving.

Rod, Mark, thanks for the additional info... You make this sound more and more tempting

I also remember reading about K&B's in the '80s, way beyond my means at the time, but they had the "hot rod" reputation, especially in speed or pylon races. Never saw one in person. Since this one is not very expensive, I may make an offer, especially if it is "practically unused" as the seller says.

The ones on eBay get expensive when the shipping is added, and both of them show the eBay program that is not very famous for actually getting the engines delivered

Is there a manufacturer or a supplier for venturis and especially needle valve assemblies suitable for this engine?

Ken Cook wrote:http://www.leemachineshop.com/

I found the venturi but no information on what NVA to use. Do these guys use a standard NVA such as a Super Tigre one, or does the venturi come with one? If it does it's real good value at $10.