See… told you

Without a doubt… the engine will run better if balanced. But, the fan blades cause allot of drag, and the performance benefit of removing them by a non machinist type of person, and having it a little out of balance, out weighs leaving them on. Especially on the Featherlite Weedy engines. (typically low output) The build quality on them isn’t what I would call good. Don’t get me wrong. They make a fine, very light conversion… It’s just that I have smaller Echo (Kioritz/Zenoah Japan) engines making more power.

The original question was if they could remove the fins at home. And my answer is still yes. IF… the builder is confident in his/her abilities to modify a mechanical part.

The comment about the side cutters, and a file was made because the cast alloy that these flywheels are made of is soft, and be cut with the most simple cutting tools, and was not meant as a joke. The last engine I did had it’s fins cut off with a set of pliers. Yup… I just twisted them off. Of course, it went into my mill after to get a cleaner trim, and a resurface so I could bolt on a prop adaptor… but that’s just me.

Just as an FYI… have you checked the balance of a stock flywheel? Most of them are counter balanced for the crank, and aren’t “in balance” if checked on a prop balancer. Also, the attractive force between the magnets and the magneto will change it’s dynamic balance while it’s running.

Anyway… it’s your engine… do what you want. If you don’t cut into the main body, it will be SAFE.