$76. I was at Lowe's yesterday and they had Yard Man, Bolens, Troybuilt, and Ryobi weed trimmers. The Yard Man and Ryobi were $76 each. They all (didn't check the Troybuilt) seemed to have the exact same engine. They all said MTD. They were two ring with chrome cylinders. The Bolen looked a bit different down next to the shaft, like it had another section bolted on. The yard man and ryobi seemed to be one piece down as far as I could see in the cover. What should I be looking for exactly when I choose? And where should I go for the best conversion parts. I've been to Jag's site and they even give you online instructions on how to do it.

MTD is local around here with one plant in town and another in the next town north of here. (They have several other plants too.) Anyway, One of the cheezes there is in the flying club and he told me, last year, that MTD bought Ryobi? The Yardman, Bolens, MTD, & Troy built are all brand names for MTD. At that time, he had heard that people made model airplane engines out of them, so I gave him my converted one to take to work so he could show the others.

Enjoy,

Jim

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that wasn't much help though. Can the long or short shaft be used for airplane application? Is the two ring with the chrome cylinder new and how would it hold up? thanks

Actually the long shaft versions work out better because the diameter of the shaft is greater and you generally have a single piece crankshaft with no extension studs like you have on a short shaft engine.

It doesn't make a whole lot of difference. Its six of one and a half dozen of the other.

On the Ryobi, the latest ones are two ring.

Either cylinder type will hold up fine for model use. The double ring type has a little more compression. Of the single rings, I think there are thick and thin ones? Whichever type you come up with will work fine.

Enjoy,

Jim

The one "Ryobi" 31cc I got left in my inventory came from a Bolens weedie. Forgot which model, but it's the cheapest one at Lowes. I bought it when Lowes had it on sale, and I also had a 10% off coupon. Came to around $50, I think. Anyway, it has the bolt-on bracket exactly identical my older long-shaft Ryobis. It does have a different (larger?) keyway and the cast-in key on the flywheel. Twin ring, of course. Mine has been liberated from the weedie but still brand new waiting for the appropriate airplane to go on. Maybe a PT-19, with the long and narrow nose.

volfy do you make your own conversion parts or buy them? from whom?

I buy them mostly from CH Ignitions. I also buy from B&B Specialties and Carr Precision.