RE: Cessna 182
Sounds like you want an easy to use and adjust gas engine that can produce up to the 18-20 pound weight of your model. Comb through the gas engine forum, and the tachometer readings forum. I am also searching for a suitable first engine. I have not heard anything bad about the Brison 2.4 engine which should produce about that amount of thrust. You might look at that one for starters.