Fox .45

Any one here ever tried a Fox .45 C/L engine? From looking at the Fox literature, I can see they are a bit heavy, but I am curious how well they perform.

Don, we had one re-worked by Lew Woolard, quite a few years ago. Ran a very nice 4/2/4, with good fuel economy. A little heavy, and needed ST 60 size bearers. Swung a 12/5 or so prop, nice package. I believe Lew still offers this engine.

LAST EDITED ON Nov-10-04 AT 09:08 PM (CST)
 
I never flew a .45 big case, but it is essentialy the same engine as the big PB or BB 40. I flew the heck out of a .40BB Dykes ring Schneurle in the late 80's early 90's. (800+ logged flights.)

For me, NOT an easy engine to "settle." Once settled, eternal, consistent, and GOOD!

To "settle" it took a very unusual - unexpected? - tank height, relative to the bearer height. I have a tank I used in the "final" version... not handy enough to quote from memory. It needed the inverted 'reference height' (end of the inside uniflow tube) about 5/16 further off the mounts than I'd expected...

I did a few other mods which reduced vibration, increased torque and fuel economy:

- button head turned from squish and bubble to conical from stock depth at cylinder wall to the end of the plug threads...

- props were carved from JZ "blanks" to about 13x4.5, VERY thin blade...

- run was what we now call 'wet two'...

- sleeved the bolt-on venturii at least one thickness of nesting K&S aluminum tube...

Biggest problem was a 'click'(equivalent) on the (ST Med) NVA made the difference from 7 min (minus) to 8 min (WAAAY plus)...

Preferred fuel was 10%N, 22-25% all castor.

Good engine, once the quirks are mastered. Fox may still have parts to support this one. The current big case 45 and 46 are common to the main casting and appurtenances.