RE: Stihl trimmer worth messing with?
It got done. Came out 2#4-oz. I need to wait for the various sealers and adhesives to dry before I run it. The other engine is a BME-50 knock off I did for size comparison.
If if runs good I will make a new intake manifold. That one is too long. It is also made of bakalite. Do not cut bakalite on you bandsaw, it will ruin the blade. What makes it worse is the blade is a weird length so I have to shorten a longer blade. Bakalite cuts like a piece of rock and smells funny. You'll know after you do it once.
I did remove the belts of aluminum on the case. I don't know if it really saved any weight but it does look nicer.