Cox engine questions

I n a moment of insanity I purchased a batch of engines which include about a dozen Cox .049. I need an education on the various versions of them. If I am correct the Babe Bee has a single intake port and a fairly small tank? I think that about 6 are the Black Widow – anodized black tank and case with two intake ports – Right? One engine has two slits on each side for exhaust instead of the larger opening. What’s that? Finally a couple of the engines have two intake ports but are the normal aluminum case – what are they? Also what is a Venom?

Thanks!

If you have access, I would recommend you search the AMA Model Aviation Archives. Larry Renger did a 2 part article on the Cox engines (in a happier time). It explains a lot about the various Cox versions.

I believe he articles were in the June and July 1996 issues.

Cary,

You gotta love the Cox reedie!!! You are correct a Babe Bee .049 is speced out to have a 5cc tank and the single bypass cylinder. The Black Widow will have a twin bypass cylinder. The deal with the twin slit exhaust ports is that the cylinder/pistons/cranks all interchange with these little reedies plus the mix and match that was done at the factory was kind of crazy too. I have seen NIB Black Widows with no anodizing at all..go figure. As for a Venom is was the special racing engine. Word is only 1000 made at the factory, red crankcase(only case Cox made red), black 8cc tank with special Killer Bee style crankshaft and a different cylinder with a lightened piston know for blowing apart. Last time I knew a Venom held the Mouse 1 record.

Here's a site that may help you some. If nothing else it's very interesting reading.

http://www.mh-aerotools.de/airfoils/index.htm

Look on the left bar, down a ways for the Cox Engine tab. It helps to be aware that, according to Larry Rengar, Cox sometimes mixed and matched parts, leading to unususal cominations. If in doubt, post a photo and someone will likely know what it is you have. Many Cox motors are as common as dirt, but there are a few rare ones.

Thanks! Between the article at AMA and the web sit I can sort them out.

Cary:

If any of those Cox's happen to have a gold case and a blue tank with a kind of ribbing machined in, treat them like precious metal-----they are!

Those would be R.R.-1's, standing for Rear Rotor -1. They are not a reed but a rear shaft valve, go like a "raped ape" and bring a couple of hundred bucks on E-bay. Built in the late 50's they were too costly to produce and were soon phased out.

A RR-1 is on now. $347 now with 5 days left.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5929103592&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

What would an all black one go for? Same exact engine save for all black anodizing?

>What would an all black one go for? Same exact engine save
>for all black anodizing?

That's probably a Black Widow; nice engine but common as field mice.
--Ray

For anyone that hasn't seen the inside of a RR-1 here they are..NICE!!! Not your Mamma's Black Widow for sure. There was the 1st series that had a plain unanodized case. Some of these had the vents in the backplate but they weren't drilled out.

Tim:

That's the beast. I own 2, both on Baby flite streaks. Unfortunatly one is buried beneath a burned out hobby shop!

I'll match the other against anything current for pure, useable power.
I had it briefly on a MINI Zilch. With that thin wing and clean aerodynamics it put most combat jobs to shame for speed and turned like a bouncing ball.

Last I saw they were bringing a bit over $200 on E-bay. At $347 plus all you folk should check your old engine boxes for one of these or any parts. It would be a real shame to lose any of the surviving ones to ignorance.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Has any one seen any of the "Log" Scientific models they've been talking about with an RR-1 on the front? With modern glues you could keep the firewall firmly attached (a big problem in the 50's). On about 40' metal lines a sheet winged StuntMaster might even stunt! I think I'll start a seperate thread on that.

Thanks again for the input. No fancy engines in the lot. Half a dozen Black widows, a few Babe Bees and one Tee Dee. Also a bunch of .35 size stuff including a Fugi and two Foxes that have never been mounted. Now – what to do with all of it?

Cary,

What kind of shape are the Black Widows in? I may take a couple off your hands if you are looking to unload them.

Tim - Sent you an Email.

I would also be interested in a Couple of Black Widows.