Their were many innovations happening when I was growing up as a small boy in sunny Southern California,but none so direct for me as the Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engine and the Cox .049 model airplane engines.

In this guide,I will focus on some of the problems I incurred on the Cox .049,leaving the Briggs and Stratton engiines and my go-kart and mini-bike  activities for another giude.

Even today,I love these little engines because they kept me busy in such a critical time of my life and kept me from doing stupid,harmful things (like drugs) to myself and others. It was and still is a great hobby.

These little engines were put into everything you might think of, such as,but not limited to, Boats,cars,airplanes,dune buggies,trikes,even U.F.O.'s!!

 Most of the Cox.049 engines and even the smaller.020 engines were and still are all the same. There were only a few distinct differences which I will go over with you, in another guide.

The most common reason for a Cox engine to not run well or not run at all, is the Glow-head. If you connect your battery clip to the glow head and prime the cylinder, and you do not get an immediate "burp" or a short little run, Check either your battery or glow-head. Almost always a weak or dead battery or a bad glow head is the cause.

The only other cause of not running well,other than "fire" as we said back then,was "fuel". Fire and Fuel. That's all there is to these engines. If you had fire, and you had fuel,it had to run. Or did it? There was one other culprit. That's compression! Make sure your glow head is screwed on tight! Use your Cox wrench that came with your model. There were two funny looking flat metal wrenches that came with your model and they were used for working on your Cox engines. The wrenches shape will give it away where you use them on your engine.

Now then, there is one other factor that makes running your Cox engine even easier. Keep your engine clean and dont allow dirt to get into the fuel tank.

If you should get dirt into your fuel tank and reed valve assembly, there are four straight edge screws on the back of your engine fuel tank. Remove these four screws and your entire fuel tank comes apart! Squirt fresh fuel into your fuel tank and surrounding areas also unsnap the lock ring for your reed valve and squirt fuel in and under it to clean the dirt out of it. You can soak your parts in fuel with a small tupperware bowl you politely asked your mother if you could use one! I seem to remember the seat of my pants on fire for not asking!!

Well gang, I hope this helped shed some light on your Cox .049 model engine.Remember,Fire,Fuel and Compression! Check your battery and glow head first! You should get a nice red glow on your glow head when hooked up to your battery. Cup your fingers around it to make it dark to see if you have a good glow. Or, at least a sizzle. IF you hear your glow head sizzling it is burning off excess fuel. You had it flooded! Re-install your glow head, turn your needle valve clockwise a little and start that bad boy up!

One other note before I go. Safety.These engines have terrific speeds,in excess of 12,000 rpm's and if you are under 12 and have little experience with these engines, do get parent supervision or at least an older brother to help you.Be careful of the spinning proppelor blades cutting your fingers, spraying fuel in your eyes or being poisioned by accidently drinking fuel by trying to siphon. Never siphon model airplane fuel! It's a poison. Very Toxic. Dont smoke or use drugs or alcohol while flying or running your Cox models. Period..You shouldn't smoke or use drugs anyway. Even today, at 50 years old, I like to have others around me,just in case something happens and I need to go to the doctor, besides, isn't running your models much more fun shareing it with your friends than doing it alone? HAVE FUN AND STAY SAFE! See ya gang! Mikey