I just got through test running my first YS 61AR engine...This is a NIB engine...It's been a while since I've run one fresh out of the box like this...All went well and she is a good running engine...You can tell she's starting to loosen up a bit...The traditional YS tight spot/clunk @ TDC is beginning to relax, idles smooth @ 1850, transition is great and she'll start with just a back flip of the prop...If you have ever owned any YS engines you know first runs can be a bit of a pain sometimes...So I'm really pleased with the way it's running...

But...I am a little disappointed in the performance...I was "expecting" it to be a little stronger than it appears to be...Maybe I was "expecting" a little too much?? I was kinda hoping these AR's would run like my old used ebay Hanno's...Everything I had read basically eluded to the AR being able to hang right there with the Hanno...This one is kinda "in between" my standard YS 61LS/OS 61RF-P's and the Hanno...Now this is all on the test stand...And it only has one gallon of fuel through it thusfar...But it's pretty apparent at this point it's not gonna keep up...I'm a little surprised...

I suppose it could be that all the Hanno's I have are well broken in?? Maybe the Hanno's are truly a stronger engine?? I'm running my Hanno's on a Bolly pipe...That may account for a little of it right there?? I may swap the Hatori 650 out with a Bolly pipe next run and see how that does...

I'm kinda looking at it like the AR should be a pretty strong performer...It comes with a nice AAC piston and liner from the factory (Kinda looks like some Shadel style porting too)...It's defiantly a lighter set-up than the standard YS LS piston/liner...It's nice looking stuff...

I started out with a 12x12 APC prop and was shooting for mid to high 9's on the RPM's...Won't do it...About 8800-9000 was all I could get...Then I was lucky to see I had a 12x11 laying here and it's running about 10,100 with that...I settled on that prop for break in and after a few tankfuls I saw a little increase to 10,200 or maybe 10,300 peak...The pipe seemed pretty dialed in...So maybe that is it?? I figure I'll wind up with a 12x11.5 prop as she wears in a bit more but don't expect she'll ever turn the 12x12 with Authority like the Hanno does...Both my Hanno's run exactly the same...They will turn the 12x12 @ 10,300...Constant, with Authority, No fluctuation at all...Very Impressive!! I suppose that is what I was "expecting" the AR to do also...I doubt it ever will...It appears it will be a tad bit stronger the the standard YS LS but that is about it...

Which is really fine...And I know I'm probably being a little over critical...But since I have always been such a YS fan...I suppose I'm just a little sad to realize that the Hanno is gonna whip my Prize YS AR's arse...And not break a sweat doing it!!

Oh Well...

Chuck