OPS new style 45

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Anyone got any info on this?
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The engine was made around 2017. No one knows for sure who built the engine although it was marketed by OPS. Andy Brown tested one years back and it ran 77 mph in his SGX. The pistons come real tight and have poor taper relief at the top. To me they are a bad Investment considering factors I just went over and the fact that parts will be scarce as not many were made and OPS is no more. Al Hobbs new K45 or Cmb V5 is a much better purchase. Jeff Lutz
 
yeah, there were a few previous postings on this "2017" version of the OPS .45 marine.

Interesting story behind it:
it was a production project implemented by Osamu Itani, owner of "Big-Hobby" RC model boat shop, in Japan (do a search on "Big-Hobby", it should come up):
http://www.big-hobby.jp/
Following the passing of "Mr. Picco" back in 2010 or 2011, new Picco engine production pretty much came to a stop for a period (especially marine engine products). Itani had a long standing relationship with Mr. Picco. The Picco factory produced a number of special, custom ordered, spec'd Picco marine engines for his Japanese RC model boat market over the years.

Frustrated, at one point, Itani approached the OPS factory and requested to have an updated .45 marine produced. Long-story-short, Itani and OPS management negotiated a deal to (believe it or not) purchase the Picco P45R mold from the Picco factory. OPS then "re-engineered" the mold to accommodate updated internal components- ie. a new crankshaft, a new rear drum valve & billet housing assy, a new rod, a new combustion chamber, a new water-cooled head cover, and a complete new RC carb.

However, the piston/sleeve assy used are exactly equal to the original used in the "1980's" OPS .45 marine, featuring updated port timing and quantity (to meet Itani's specs). Also, the piston was re-produced in billet form (not cast alu). The P45R case was machined to properly accommodate the sleeve. This was an attempt to save cost's (as they are able to literally use the same piston & sleeve blanks at the OPS factory).

Ultimately the new OPS .45 marine was released in 2017. It looks physically like a Picco P45R with different head assy. I've read mixed results in regards to the "2017" version's performance.

I own a few. The piston/sleeve fit is very tight, too dangerous to turn-over without damaging (so it's important to, either, pre-fit the piston/sleeve, or administer pre-heating (and add castor oil) to the engine cylinder while starting the first time. Also the stock flywheel assy (which is the same part used on the original OPS .45) was/is poorly machined, and has poor run-out (actually the problem is poorly machined collet. So I replaced the part with an O.S. Max .21 flywheel assy).

www.big-hobby.jp
 

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Having owned one, the OPS carb is absolute junk
Andy Brown ( a while back) mentioned that he got the OPS carb to work very well after performing a few tweaks (not sure exactly what? but he was very happy with performance)

I'm using a custom "KRE" carb (Ken Retallick). Also I have original Picco P45R carb modified by Frank Orlic (uses same fitment on rear housing). That's the OEM Picco P45R carb (Orlic modified) in the attatched image
 

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