i have just converted a ryobi 31 with parts from jag engines, the conversion went nice and smooth, but i was a bit concerned because i hear alot of posts say that you can not hand start a ryobi, i have never owned an electric starter in three years of modeling. about 4 years ago i got a chance to hand prop a full scale cub, and i was hooked! so i hand start all my glow engines, with common sense being the key. having said all that i wanted to at least try to start my ryobi by hand and sure enough that baby started after about ten flips! this is the link to the video, dont know if it works though. http://media.putfile.com/ryobi , basically you set the prop up so that when the magnet passes through the coil it is spinning as fast as your hand can go. and beyond that way i start my engine is full choke, one push on the prime bulb, flip till it sputters, then choke all the way off.

hope this helps somebody and please remember knowledge is safety, know what these things can do and take the precautions

ps. please disregaurd the flip flops in the video, thats not the safest but they are my toes anyway


ill tell you exactly how i have my engine setup, first remember that the intensity of the spark is proportional to the speed at wich the magnet passes by the coil up to a certain speed and then it really doesnt matter, but for our purposes the faster the hotter, next, figure out your most comfortable position while starting your engine. (i.e.) do you want to flip the prop down or up to the side, if you look at the video youll see i flip my prop to the side. when you figure out your prop position you must then position the magnet where it will pass by the coil just before your hand leaves the prop (which should be the fastest speed) if the magnet is to far ahead of your flip then the spark usually will not be sufficient, if it is to far behind then the same thing occurs