Just wondering if this has ever been done and what the conclusions were?
Thanks!

No I haven't. But, many years ago, I did convert a OS 120 to burn gas with a C@H ign. and home made syncro spark and ran into a bunch of problems. First of all, regarding those big cooling fins on gassers. They need them, the OS ran HOT. Next you can not get a good fine tune on the needle valves. They do not have fine enough adjustments for gas. I finally put a 91 sized carb on and it improved some. When you are running gas you have a lot less fluid (fuel) going through the engine=more heat build-up, less lubrication. That messy oil coming out the Saitos exhaust is carrying a lot of heat with it. You must increase you oil content a lot. I found I needed 30% oil, (messy) and not even sure that was enough. And of course you will lose a lot of power by switching to gas in the Saito. However, I did find that by putting the 120 carb back on and running in on regular 15% glow fuel, with the C@H ign. and syncro spark it was a REAL sweet running rig. It would idle like no other 4 stroke I have ever heard. Kind-of defeated the purpose though.
It was a fun and interesting experience
Ron

The whole point of a gasser, for most people, is the fuel economy. Gas engines put out less power; cc for cc when compared to a glow engine. But, you can run a gasser for pennies when compared to a glow gulper.

The connecting rod BUSHING in a glow engine is the reason why you need so much oil. Gassers have needle bearings on the rod, so you can get away with lower oil content. Lower to the tune of 40:1 or even 75:1 with the right oil. I don't know the ratio, but glow engines use a LOOOOOTTT of oil when compared to a gasser, because you need to lubricate that rod bushing.

If you convert the Saito to gas, you will still have to run high oil content to keep from seizing the rod bushing and ruining the engine. The plug will most likely foul because of the high oil content, and it will run like a turd. Also, since gas isn't as powerful as glow, your going to loose power. You might be turning an 18-8 prop on glow, but your going to have to downsize to a 16-8 with gas.

The ignition system is going to add a TON of weight to the whole setup.

The OIL is whats expensive. Check the price of Klotz or Amsoil and then add up the cost of several ounces of oil to each tank, rather than 3 or 4 per gallon with a gas engine.

You won't save a dime. And it will probably have the power of a cheap .90 size glow engine when your done.

Saitos are sweet engines. Excellent longevity and the lightest 4 strokes on the market. Reliability, and user friendliness also come to mind. Don't ruin it by converting to gas.

If your looking for a cheap 31cc gasser, then build a Ryobi. You can build a Ryobi with CH or Rcignitions SYNCHROSPARK ignition system for less than 1/2 the cost of a Saito 180. You don't need synchrospark on a 31cc engine, but they sure idle sweet and start with a few flips of your pinky finger. Go to wacker engines and check out his mufflers and engine mounts. Get an ignition from CH or Ralph (RCIGN1) and have a ball with gas, but please, don't ruin a Saito.