Here's one for th experts:

I just got the Northern Tool & Equipment Co. catalogue. It has a Weed Eater "Featherlite FL1500" blower with a 18cc engine for only $49.99. Any comments on this little engine will be appreciated. I haven't forgoten Av8tor's 18cc find and how happy he is with the final result.

There is also a blower/vac for $69.99. It's got a 22cc engine. I figure that for this size and prize I'm better of with a Ryoby 31.

Please comment.

Hi,

The Weedeater/Featherlites don't seem to have as much power as the Echo/Kioritz equipment. I wouldn't go any smaller than 21cc. My little 16cc Kioritz that I converted did well at sea level but is underpowered at higher field elevations. I'm changing it to a 21cc at this time.

Good Luck,
AV8TOR

And you would be correct. Either that or a Homelite 30cc weedie, if you can find one cheap. I bought one when Home Depot had them on clearance for $50 brand new, right next to 25cc Homies selling for $99. Go figure.

Av8tor,
What plane did you have the 16cc Kioritz on?
Thanks, Sedleniek

Hi,

The plane had the basic dimensions as a Big Stick. It was based on a Big Stick that I crashed years ago, and rebuilt as a Big Low Stick. It is the same plane that is in my "logo picture". Now keep in mind a few things. One, the engine I used was a Kioritz/Echo, which is a higher end engine that would have more power than the cheaper Featherlite 18cc engines to begin with. Two, I was flying at sea level at the time. Density altitude is an important factor in the power of engines. For example, at my present field altitude of 4200' and an average temp of 80+ degrees, the density altitude is over 7000' and the power is down by around 20%. Three, the engine wasn't exactly stock. I raised the compression slightly, added a larger carb, and a very free breathing exhaust along with CH ignition. Lastly, I was happy with the performance of the plane at sea level, but happiness is relative. I wasn't looking for the modern "3D" performance. If it would loop, roll, and pull vertical long enough to make a nice stall turn or tail slide, and bank tight turns without losing too much airspeed, I was happy. The 16cc Kioritz on a 9.5 lbs. plane did this at sea level for me, and I really enjoyed it.

Good luck and take care,
AV8TOR

Av8tor,
Thanks for the reply. Since you are very experienced in gas converions as well as the Big Stik 60, what would be your choice of gas engines for the Big Stik giving the performance as you described at approx. sea level.
Thanks, Sedleniek

Hi,

I really have to recommend the Kioritz 21.2 to 25cc engines for this plane. They are light and powerful. The Homelite 25cc is also a good engine, but in my opinion a little too heavy for this size plane. The Echo/Kioritz engines are pretty pricey to buy new however. I came up with mine by scrounging swap meets and Echo dealers. Sometimes the dealers have thrown away equipment, items that were never picked up, etc., that you can buy cheap. As long as the owner put oil in the gas, these engines rarely wear out; usually something else goes wrong with the tool that causes it to be thrown away. I've also had some luck on e-bay, though you have to watch shipping charges or the price can get a little high doing that as well. The best little Echo is the 23.6cc made in the middle to late '90s.

If you do a Big Stick, just beef up the firewall a bit, (it won't need much), and mount the rudder and elevator servos in the tail. That should get you close enough on the c.g. that just moving the battery around will fine tune it.

Good luck,
AV8TOR

Several years ago I converted a Weed Eater '21' with Carr Precision pieces. The engine itself was stock but I opened up the muffler and put a much bigger Homelite 25 carb on it.

It only ran a 14-8 at 7,000 but was real friendly. It's still setting on the shelf. I didn't consider it to be as viable as a Homelite or Ryobi 31.

I'm currently using a stock Homelite 30 with a 167 carb. It's rather heavy but has good power. After I richened it up, it runs a 18-8 at 7400 and idles at 1700. I like it a lot. I did it about 5 years ago and it's on a Bridi Old Timer.

Enjoy,

Jim