Guys, help me out here: Poulan offers at least three saws with a 46cc motor. A Farm Hand model #2750, a Farm Hand model #2775 and a Pro PP295. Which of these three makes for the best conversion? Jim and Volfy have been excellent help thus far, and I hope they can help me out with the final steps towards getting the right engine for my Eagle. Thanks a ton guys.

Tommy

The regular Poulan models like the farm hand have a Nickasil sprayed in cylinder lining.

The PRO model has a Hard chrome plated liner.

As to which one is better? I don't know.

There are type #'s on these models and that would probably make more difference. In the PRO 295, the Type 4 would not be as desirable as the previous ones. The carb appears to be undesirable on the type 4. It's not repairable.

You would have to go to the Poulan web site and download the parts manuals and study them to make a decent determination unless someone has already done this?

Call or E-mail lawn station and see which bare saw w/no blade nor chain, would be the cheapest? I think you will find the bare unit to be $35-$40 cheaper. The old man will have to be there if you call. Watch a E-mail response. It will most likely come from a woman and not say Lawn Station on it. You will think it's one of those Viagra ads. Her name is Tammy Clarke. Also keep an eye on E-bay. The Lawn Station man often plays the game there. You may get a better deal but know your prices ahead of time. Farm Hand $114 + $14.95 shipping from Shrieveport, La. on Ebay today and tomorrow morning.

Enjoy,

Jim

The price for the "power head" for a 46cc farm hand is $109.00
With free shipping...I just got one..the coil was bad, at least it wouldn't go sparky, sparky, was going to use the CH conversion anyway...motor was in great shape, with no scuffs or scores in the cylinder or piston..
If you stay with the flywheel, you'll need the prop adapter and the "Twister" manifold sold at CH as the motor comes with a flimsy rubber one...

Might want to look into that also..
BB1

The engines in 2750 and 2775 should be exactly the same. Personally, I prefer the the chrome bored Pro295, but BMW and several other premier auto makers use Nikasil in their engines, so I'm sure the difference in durability is negligible for RC duty.

The bearings on the Pro are supposedly a little better also, but it's such a popular size that you can get replacement easily and cheaply.

The carbs are different, though having seen both, I doubt one is better than the other performance-wise. They differ mostly in the throttle and choke lever arrangement and such. Forgot what the 2750 I had came with, but my current Pro295 has the Walbro WT-610.

Is the motor crankcase separate from the saw body on both types? Does Lawnstation offer any kind of warranty on their 'reconditioned' engines? I wasn't planning on springing for the CH ignition right away, just the prop hub and manifold, would hate to be 'forced' into the high dollar ignition because of a faulty mag or coil.

Tommy

p.s. Any recommendations on mounting?

Yes and yes.

Lawnstation Refurb Warranty.

30 days on the saw...
Mine might have been a "fluke", and it may be good, and just didn't spin it fast enough to get it to spark, (didn't use a starter to see) just spun it by hand with out the plug in. I really didn't need the flywheel and coil anyway, but it came with it..

I just prefer to use CH ignitions because of reliability and a slow idle..(a big 1/4, 1/3 scale plane trying to land on our 300' paved runway on the top of a hill with a faster idle on the mag, isn't toooo much fun...I have a Big Bee with a G62 on the mag that will not land without going off the runway just because of the higher idle and not being able to stop it.

I wouldn't be a bit afraid of their motors..

Great, thanks!

FWIW, here's my latest Poulan 46cc. I've gone through a couple of different setups, and here's one that I think will work great. Terry at CH Ignitions did the conversion work on this one. I also had him special order a couple of these BCM wrap-around style Pitts mufflers. It took Bisson a while to make these two prototypes, but I'm really happy with them. They will be $99 each now for those that might be interested in getting one.

I barely had time to run it briefly on the bench today before the sun went down. 90F, 95% RH, 30.02" Hg, at ~sea level, the 46cc turned the MA Classic 20x10 a steady 7000RPM on some old stale 25:1 gasoline. This engine is practically brand new and so should yield better performance as it starts to break in some.

Volfy: Nice job...wish I had more time....too many sticks in the fire. I got too many projects to finish!!!! Captinjohn

Volfy

The wife says that if I get one more kit or one more motor, she's agonna' sleep on the couch.....

So I went to Wallyworld and bought her a new pillow and a blanket..

Bring on them conversions...!!!!!!!!
BB1

Volfy,

Sorry, been away for a while.

That conversion looks perfect for my Byron eagle. How much would you say you have invested in that setup? Did you opt for the synchrospark ignition? Looks marvy! Please post if anything significant happens (like a performance increase after break-in). I am going to order a Poulan 46 'power head' from Lawnstation for $114.99 shipped. Hopefully it will be in good shape. I may have more questions later! In fact, could you send all the details on your conversion in an e-mail to me? Thanks in advance!

Tommy
[email protected]

I am going to order a Poulan 46 'power head' from Lawnstation for $114.99 shipped. Hopefully it will be in good shape. I may have more questions later! In fact, could you send all the details on your conversion in an e-mail to me? Thanks in advance!


Hmmmmmmm, do I see a small price increase...was 109.00 shipped about 45 days ago...

Me thinks the company has caught on...

Volfy,
Jim at Bison said my muffler should be in with in two weeks...
Now of CH could put a lil' something in the mail...I'd be one happy camper...

I'm glad you'all like the setup. I think the Bisson wrap-around muffler really makes this engine package. Mine has the SynchroSpark, which I think it's a must for this engine.

Unfortunately, with the move to our new house nearing, I haven't have much time even to go fly on Sundays, much less run my engines. Rest assured though, when I get around to it, I will post the results here first thing. Who knows, BB1 might just beat me to it.

I'm embarrassed to tell you exactly how much I have invested into this one - it's obscene. Let's just say that I probably could have bought a BME50 or ZDZ50 instead. Then again, now that I have persuaded BCM to do the Poulan, we can easily put together a very nice package that rival the best in the 45-50cc category for:

Poulan 46cc: $110
CH conv kit: $210
BCM muffler: $100
-------------------------
Total: $420

Less if you can find the short block cheaper. Best thing, of course, is if you ever dork one into the ground, replacement engine is only a hundred buck away.

Just so you know, last month's RCM had a review of the ZDZ50. With a very similar BCM muffler, it reportedly weighed 59 Oz. That's almost exactly what my Poulan 46cc weighed, which is even before I make any attempt to lighten the engine some more. Easily done considering the generous cooling fins that are not all necessary for RC application. Plus the ZDZ50 only turned a Zinger 20x10 about 200rpm more than the Poulan. Both engines are practically brand new, so it remains to be seen how much power each will gain after break-in.

Again, I've got to give the credit of this conversion to Terry at CH, though. He did all the work on this one, and a superb job. I just kept pestering him to pester Bisson to make the muffler for me.

Where did you get that wrap around muffler for the poulan 46? I checked the Bisson web site and none is listed, e-mailed them a couple of times and got no response. Sure would like one.

They aren't showing it on the sight....gotta call...
Mine left their place yesterday......

BB1

The wrap-around BCM mufflers were special order items. The two I got were the very first two prototypes. Bisson does have the patterns now and can make them to order fairly quckly. I would imagine they will update their website to show availability sooner or later.

Quote:

Originally posted by Volfy
The wrap-around BCM mufflers were special order items. The two I got were the very first two prototypes. Bisson does have the patterns now and can make them to order fairly quckly. I would imagine they will update their website to show availability sooner or later.

Got my muffler today......
Whew.....What a work of art.....
Tickled to death...

Michael

Glad you like it, Mike. Let us know how the engine runs with the muffler. Supposedly, you can open up the crimped in ends of the stingers for more power, at the expense of more noise.

I wish I could, still waiting on the ignition....Terry told me that they are up to soon....

Will leave the tubes like they are..96db at 50' over pavement on the ground with the sound meter on the muffler side is the new, "old" club rule...

Aren't housing developments wonderful???????
Boats with open headers, PWC's with racing chambers are allowed to zip up and down the river making way much more noise than my planes...and they are loved by everyone...but no not the lil' gas motors..
Sheez!!!!!!!!

Volfy,

Are these mufflers going to be available to the public for a while? I will definitely want one when I get around to mounting this thing to my Eagle.

Speaking of mounting, does anyone have any suggestions for mounting my Poulan 46cc to a Byron firewall?

Tommy

I'm going to use Hanger9 Large alum. mounts...

AFAIK, the Bisson muffler is a special order item ONLY. They don't stock them but will make them for you if you request it. Hopefully, if they get enough orders for the Poulan, they will make a batch for stock to speed up delivery time.

I will be using the GP 1.20-1.80 composite mount, or whatever I happen to have that will work.