ORIGINAL: spaceworm
ORIGINAL: w8ye
About 6 yrs ago I was roped into taking a Saito 150 in a horse trade. The engine appeared to be about 1999 and had been flown a little but was in nice shape.
I ran it some at the time and oiled and put it away.
I converted it to CH ignition last week. I ran it today. Had the HS needle at three turns. Started right up but was very rich on 20:1 gasoline and Pennzoil Air Cooled. I adjusted the HS needle to 1 1/4 turns and it seemed to run decent. I turned the LS needle in about 1 turn from the glow setting. I was well pleased. It will run a long time on a 270cc (9 oz) tank.
The ignition change over was more or less plug and play thanks to TKG and bcchi . I'm using the RCEXL 1/4-32 plug.
I was using a APC 16 X 8 prop and it seemed about right.
I was well pleased considering the original Saito carb. But there was a rich mid range.
The needles didn't seem so sensitive to adjust but the carb was sensitive to the level of the fuel in the tank as it burned down.
The engine is not the high compression version. I did not use any head shims and I heard no back firing tendencies.
The last 1/4 of the throttle seemed to have little effect.
No smoke trail so needle setting is by sound.
The only black grunge came from under the exhaust valve cover and out the crankcase vent.
I got a few ideas I want to try yet so I will be playing with it some more.
I have a 180 and am thinking of converting like you did. I have a number of Walbro carbs, including some from 4 stoke Ryobi 26cc trmmers. I will use the RCEXL ECDI, What Walbro carb size and type would you recommend? Also, would 1:20 gas to Pennzoil be ok? What prop to use and RPM to expected? Would Coleman camp fuel be OK?
Thank you very much.
Sincerely, Richard
It doesn't take a very big carb. Seems the return spring on the pump diaphragm works best for the Walbros. I would select a Walbro with a slightly smaller venturi than the carb barrel in your 180. With less gasoline than you were using in Methanol, you don't need such a big carb.
Try it with the 180 carb first just so you can see what it does.
I was using the 20:1 gas to Pennzoil aircooled today, the same as I use in the FG Saitos. It hasn't burned the rod out yet.
After running the engine again today, I notice a little fine black oil mist over the engine that has come from the front seal if you look at it in the sun. This is a 10-12 yr old engine but it was never used much. Appears to have had a few flights on a plane and crashed but there were no marks on the engine or crankshaft. The crank is straight. I've had it for 6 years but other than trying it out on the test stand, I have not used it until yesterday.
I'm using the Chinese RCEXL 1/4 -32 spark plug.
I've been using a Tower Heavy Duty 180 starter on it. Seems to work fine. I have several Sullivan Dynatrons but I just wanted to see how the Tower HD did. I have arthritis in my fingers and do not hand prop anymore.