Me again.... I just went back and checked my posts about that Echo 16cc engine I built years ago. I got 7000 rpms on an APC 15 x 8 prop with it, without doing any porting. So, you are definitely down on power. Check the ring gap. It should be no more than .003" for best performance, and I bet you find yours is much wider. As you probably know from your studying of the forum, you can get a high quality ring for it from Frank Bowman for about $11.00. That will perk it right up! Besides more power, you will find that it starts easier and handles better overall with a good ring seal.

Also, if you aren't using an electric starter, be careful and note that sometimes on a hand start using Gas/Glow, the engine will start and run backwards. Nothing to it, you just stop the engine and re-start it, but it could catch you by surprise if you didn't know to watch for the possibility of it happening.

w8ye, if he asks for Frank's contact info could you provide it? I am on vacation and don't have it with me.

AV8TOR