The sizes of the engines range from .010 Cubic inches to 1.50 Cubic inches and even higher. Most commonly used sizes are .25, .46, .60, .90. The most commonly used engines are "Glow Engines" using the special fuel made up of mostly Methanol and a lubricant oil. These engines use a special type of plug which has a platinum element. This element is first provided with a current through a Nicad battery and ignited. When the plug starts glowing, the engine is kicked through the propeller on the crankshaft and the glowing plug and fuel start up the engine. Once the engine is started, the Nicad battery is removed off the plug but it still keeps glowing because of the chemical reaction between platinum element and methanol along with the heat of compression

As far as the lubricant is concerned, most common lubricant is Castor Oil, but synthetic oils are also being used and they work very well too. The castor oil has a tendency to leave a varnish type coating on the engine after a period of time. Synthetic oils do not give you that problem. Depending on the climate of where you are one of them is better than the other. You can get the idea from your local club members. You can also use a mixture of both.

Different types of engines are Bushing Engines, Ball Bearing Engines, ABC Engines etc. etc. The Bushing engines are for light and occasional use, they do not produce that much power, have less life and are cheap. The Ball bearing engines are more long lasting, produce more power and are therefore expensive. The renowned manufacturers are OS Engines, Rossi Engines, Thunder Tiger and many others.