2nd Model Fox NVA

LAST EDITED ON Jan-10-04 AT 02:40 PM (CDT)
 
A while back I'd asked about the needle valve for the 2nd model "sandcast" Fox .35. Using the existing spraybar and some picture as well as the drawing Tony Elmore supplied I made an NV that is close but also seviceable. For you Fox experts out there, how close does this look?

Hi Randy, your Fox needle valve is on the right track. The main straight section needs to be about half again as long before going into the ninety degree bend. The brass body is a bit shorter and has much coarser grooves and the steel ratchet is stubby and rectangular with radiused ends and engages the brass body on top and bottom. I have a few but cannot find them but if I do I will e-mail you some pictures. Really looks good when considering you have not seen the real Austin Craft assembly. Check out the MECOA site for drawings of many engines. I think the early Fox is on it and might detail the needle valve assembly.

Thanks Don,

I'll check it out.

Don,

I looked all over the Mecoa site and couldn't find any drawings.

Hi Randy.
Go to your favorite search engine,"Google" worked for me. Look up MECOA. On their page click on "RJL Vintage engines" look for and click on "Engineland Museum" now find and click on "Archive of American" engines through 1960". Scroll through the manufacturers and find "Fox" and several vintages of Fox 35 and 29 will appear with drawings. Two versions of the early needle are shown, the 1952 die cast is shown with the version I have (somewhere) but either will get you home free. Blow the drawings up full size. I recall two versions of the pressure rings on the spraybar (one with internal grooves and the other with external rings) and one orfice into the venturi. There are also several versions of the knurled brass body. Have fun when you fire up the lathe!!

See, what I don't get is why, when trying to help out a fellow modeler--particularly one who may not be superliterate in web navigation, would someone take the time and effort to type out a long list of steps of instructions on how to get to a URL when it's much faster for both parties to just past the URL in the Post Form box and hand the fellow traveler a one-click, direct link to the info. Like:

MECOA page:

http://www.mecoa.com/museum/archive1.html

'49 Sandcast drawing without needle valve:

'52 Diecast drawing with needle valve:

But, then, I don't get a lot of stuff.

Cy.

Thanks Don and Cy!

Have you ever wondered why the manufacturers were so sadistic as to put the needle valve on the exhaust side so that you could make sure to cut youself in the prop after burning the skin off your thumb peaking it up? I always turn mine to the opposite side.

Randy: I'm holding the needle from one of my Sandcasts right now. Yours certainly is in the "spirit" of the original. Concurring with what what Don observed, here are my comments:

1. The original has two rather small ratchet "barrels", closer together than the one you show.

2. The "shepard's hook" handle at the end is a lot larger on yours, especially the loop part.

3. The original does not have that knob about 2/3rd of the way out. All the original has are the two small ratchet barrels, only separated by about 5/32", about 7/8" straight wire, and then the shepard's hook.

Both yours and the original are so much better than the standard "modern" Fox.

Thanks Currell,

If you look close you'll notice that the ratchet spring is very long compared to the drawings I found anyway, that's why the thimble it so long between the knurled portions. If someone could post a picture of one I'm sure I could get much closer. The spraybar was already in the engine and I don't think its Austincraft, but it fits beautifully so I made the pseudo A-craft needle to work with it. If I could get ahold of an entire Austincraft assembly I might be tempted to make some duplicates on a limited basis. I may even make some similar to what I've already done if anyone is interested. Already had one request, we'll see.

I can send you one, Randy. Currell

That would work Currell, I'd only need it long enough to measure it up and sketch it.

Hi Currell and thank you for hunting up the needle valve assembly as it will save me the hassle of digging through who knows what over here!!
Randy, sorry you were unable to find the info at Mecoa. If you decide to make up some needle valve clones please let me know as I have a Fox 29 4/3 bolt that needs the real thing ( RR clone will work).

I was ready to send a good close-up of one, taken with a ruler in the picture (I just got a digital camera), but you beat me to the punch, Currell (as always..).

Tim

Go ahead and show a picture, Tim. Currell

I'll take one and post it this very evening...

Tim

Here are my best efforts so far... I'm still learning how to use this camera. My biggest challenge at the moment is lighting (as you can see). Let me know how these could be more useful - I'm assuming a good, clear, well-lit photo, which I'm still trying to achieve. I am really impressed by the ability of this camera to focus in on small things really close-up (I'm using a tripod, of course...).

Tim

Very helpful Tim, any chance of getting the spraybar in there too?

Randy, I'll be happy to take some pictures of the spraybar, but it'll have to wait - it's still on the plane. I was able to just go out and quickly remove the needle, but the spraybar is a bit more work. I'll try to get to it before the weekend...

Meantime, here's a couple of better pictures of the needle... (I'm learning...)

Tim

Thanks Tim,

You and I seem to both be on the steep side of the DigCam learning curve. How great it is though to preview a shot and be able to trash it and shoot again and not have to wait for the film to come back.

Amen to that, Randy! And I just realized I had some pictures David Hoover took of the engine in the plane last summer - here are some close-ups. Let me know if you need pics of the spraybar removed from the engine - I'm a little leery of doing that, as this is a vintage setup, and I don't want to mess it up (it works at the moment)...

Tim