has anyone done a 55cc craftsman?? if so what were the numbers? rpms..etc Thanks.

Hi,
Poulan makes Craftsman saws. Many people have converted the Poulan 54 and 55cc engines with good results. All of those that I have seen had the coil mounted on the saw chasis, so CDI ignition is needed unless you want to make special brackets. It would make a good conversion if you could get it cheap enough. Otherwise I would rather get a Echo CS-510 shortblock and buildup a BME-50 clone.

Dave

The Poulan 54 and 60 engines have integral oil/gas tanks that require cutting off. A lot of work but they are great engines. See the picture below of a 60 that RCignition did for someone.

Well, I bought one at sears today. It was slightly used so I got it for 160.00. It took about an hour to get it out of the saw case and cleaned up.So far I am very happy with the way it is coming out. First, the coil is mounted on the cyl. so you dont have to run electronic ignition if you dont want to.Secondly, the cases look to be machined really nicely(much more so than the homie45s or the poulan 46s) The carb is mounted to a rubber boot BUT, the carb will NOT come out like the 46 poulan or newer homie45 OH and also it has beam mounts ready to go..even the holes are there! IM not sure who makes the motor through, it has a "JL" symbol on the cyl and on the coil.IM really suprised other people arent converting this motor...should be a good one....i hope oh, the flywheel is also lighter than any of my ryobi or homelite flywheels and machined nicley as well.I try to post pictures tommorrow.

This sounds great. The engine is more like a Poulan 46 than the old 54/60.

I tried to research these when I first saw them. I believe they are made by MTD, although they are so big some other company may actually do the manufacturing. Looked good to me then, I just didn't need another engine in that size range. Keep us informed on the progress.

Roger

Good to see you back Jim!

Roger,

I remember you bringing that up about these back in the spring. Someone might be able to bring that up with a search? The story was almost the same.

Enjoy,

Jim

I found it... http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_30...tm.htm#3099391

But it doesn't say any more than this thread.

Enjoy,

Jim

[img][/img]here are some pics of the motor. the prop shaft isnt for this motor and is just to see how she'll look with electronic ignition

I just did one, made a custom intake and exhaust. Came out OK with decent numbers. My first runs on the stand were with a B&B short tube muffler now I have to run it with my custom muffler!

what were the numbers (rpms) and what props did you use?

Hi billzair,
How is the 55cc motor doing? Have you tried it on a plane yet? I would like to get one but i would like to know how your motor is doing. I'm looking for a motor above 50cc just want to find the rite conversion motor.


Thanks
smallplanes

Well I finally got to run the engine with the new muffler. With a MA nylon 20x8 it turns 8100 and with a MA nylon 20x10 it turns 7200. Respectable numbers for the weight. Without the muffler it tips my scale at 4 lbs 6.5 ozs, with the new muffler in the picture it tips my scale at 5 lbs 6.5 ozs. The weight savings of running electronics would really help this engine, I didnt weigh the flywheel and coil by its self but Im guessing at least a pound. I did the engine just to see what it would turn out like and since I have too many converted engines as so as it is, Im thinking Ebay will see this one in a week or so.
[img][/img][img][/img]

It looks very good,i'm going to try and find a chainsaw like that and do a conversion of it. Did you make the parts for this motor? What will you be selling it for?


Thanks
smallplanes

The intake I custom made, the exhust was made between me and a shop. I cut all the aluminum they tig welded it for me. Prop hub is one I had laying around and I cut the flywheel down on my drill press but a shop cut lighten it a bit more. I have a price Id like to get, really depends on what people feel its worth to them but I wont sell it for less the 200.00 the way its pictured.

Looks very nice. Thanks for sharing the info with us! Was starting difficult?
Roger

I picked one up on ebay and just got it out of the saw. The first thing I noticed was the small exhaust port, did anyone open the port up some? The RPM numbers should go up. I have a 33cc homelite with a larger port than the 55cc