First Place Engines
08-17-2008 | 06:02 PM
#1
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From: Fresno,
CA
First Place Engines
Does anyone have any experience with First Place Engines? These engines look nice but I do not have any information about the company or actual customer experiences. I would appreciate any information that anyone can provide.
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
08-17-2008 | 10:36 PM
#3
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RE: First Place Engines
Owned and flown them for years. I have run the 2.4, 3.2, 3.4, 4.2 over the years and they are all very powerful, user friendly, and reliable. They are top shelf in my book. Kurt is very helpful and his customer service is flawless as far as I have seen. I sent a 3.2 in for much needed service after several years of service and two crashes, and he turned it around in one week, as I recall, good as new with the old parts in the bag for my information. You won't be sorry if you choose one. Here is a 2.4 in a Christen Eagle I built last winter. As you can see, they are very nicely crafted.
08-18-2008 | 06:33 AM
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From: Fayetteville,
NC
RE: First Place Engines
I have two, a 3.2 and a 4.2, both are good. The 3.2 is three years old on a SIG Sundancer and I have run the living snot out of it as recently as day before yesterday. It never misses a lick.
The 4.2 is on a Lanier Yak and it too is a very reliable engine. Ran rough during break in but now it runs without a hiccup.
Also, I agree that Kurt gives good service. I let the cowl on my Sundancer rub against the hub and the heat destroyed the bearings. Kurt fixed it and had it back to me in a week or so.
The 4.2 is on a Lanier Yak and it too is a very reliable engine. Ran rough during break in but now it runs without a hiccup.
Also, I agree that Kurt gives good service. I let the cowl on my Sundancer rub against the hub and the heat destroyed the bearings. Kurt fixed it and had it back to me in a week or so.
08-18-2008 | 10:08 AM
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From: Fresno,
CA
RE: First Place Engines
Thanks for your input. There seems to be very little information available about First Place engines on this forum. That could be a very positive thing because there are no complaints. Again, thanks for sharing your experiences.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
08-18-2008 | 10:31 AM
#6
My Feedback: (221)
RE: First Place Engines
ORIGINAL: Heli-NuBee
Thanks for your input. There seems to be very little information available about First Place engines on this forum. That could be a very positive thing because there are no complaints. Again, thanks for sharing your experiences.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
Thanks for your input. There seems to be very little information available about First Place engines on this forum. That could be a very positive thing because there are no complaints. Again, thanks for sharing your experiences.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
08-19-2008 | 04:35 AM
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From: Concord Twp,
OH
RE: First Place Engines
Greenville, Pa........just google First Place Engines and his web site will pop up. Guys at our flying sites have been using them since the mid 90's without problems.
08-22-2008 | 08:55 AM
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From: Fresno,
CA
RE: First Place Engines
Thanks again guys for your input. I talked to Kurt yesterday and ordered one of his engines.
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
08-23-2008 | 03:00 AM
#11
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RE: First Place Engines
The 1.3 is from a Echo /kioritz power tool. Note the three deltas or pine trees laying on their side on the head casting. Search: Don't forget Echo.
08-24-2008 | 08:38 PM
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From: Rose HIll,
KS
RE: First Place Engines
I have a 1.3 installed in a Sig Rascal 110. I chose this engine because this size Rascal is designed to use the FPE 1.3. I have had excellent experience with this engine. No problems at all.
08-24-2008 | 10:21 PM
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From: Fresno,
CA
RE: First Place Engines
I ordered the 40 cc FPE from Kurt to install in my GP Super Stearman. The engine looks great and FPE seems to have a pretty good reputation so I am going to give it a try. The only slight concern I have at this point is that I can't seem to contact FPE by e-mail. I seem to have to call to get in touch with Kurt. My e-mails must be stopped his blocker or something.
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
09-06-2008 | 09:15 PM
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From: Fresno,
CA
RE: First Place Engines
I received my FPE 40 cc engine last week and I must say the workmanship is excellent. The only issue I have with replacing the 40 cc engine I previously had in my GP Super Stearman is the carb orientation. The previous engine had the throttle arm at approx. 90 degrees to the firewall but the new FPE engine has the throttle arm at approx. 45 degrees to the firewall. I believe the only way to connect the existing throttle push rod is by shorting the rod and then using a bellcrank to the throttle arm. This is OK but still leaves the need to put additional holes in the cowl for the carb adjustment screws. It would be much better if I could just turn the carb orientation. I don't know if that is possible but I will give Kurt a call and see if he can provide an adapter block.
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
09-06-2008 | 10:44 PM
#17
My Feedback: (221)
RE: First Place Engines
ORIGINAL: Heli-NuBee
I received my FPE 40 cc engine last week and I must say the workmanship is excellent. The only issue I have with replacing the 40 cc engine I previously had in my GP Super Stearman is the carb orientation. The previous engine had the throttle arm at approx. 90 degrees to the firewall but the new FPE engine has the throttle arm at approx. 45 degrees to the firewall. I believe the only way to connect the existing throttle push rod is by shorting the rod and then using a bellcrank to the throttle arm. This is OK but still leaves the need to put additional holes in the cowl for the carb adjustment screws. It would be much better if I could just turn the carb orientation. I don't know if that is possible but I will give Kurt a call and see if he can provide an adapter block.
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
I received my FPE 40 cc engine last week and I must say the workmanship is excellent. The only issue I have with replacing the 40 cc engine I previously had in my GP Super Stearman is the carb orientation. The previous engine had the throttle arm at approx. 90 degrees to the firewall but the new FPE engine has the throttle arm at approx. 45 degrees to the firewall. I believe the only way to connect the existing throttle push rod is by shorting the rod and then using a bellcrank to the throttle arm. This is OK but still leaves the need to put additional holes in the cowl for the carb adjustment screws. It would be much better if I could just turn the carb orientation. I don't know if that is possible but I will give Kurt a call and see if he can provide an adapter block.
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
09-09-2008 | 02:45 PM
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From: Fresno,
CA
RE: First Place Engines
I tried the throttle connection suggested by RAM3500-RCU and it worked OK. I can't quite get full throttle that way but it is adequate for the GP Super Stearman. I ran the engine on the ground for the first time today. It started easily, idled well and ran great. It does seem to have more vibration than my previous engine and yes, the prop has been balanced. I should get a chance to go fly it for the first time in the near future.
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
09-09-2008 | 09:46 PM
#19
My Feedback: (221)
RE: First Place Engines
ORIGINAL: Heli-NuBee
I tried the throttle connection suggested by RAM3500-RCU and it worked OK. I can't quite get full throttle that way but it is adequate for the GP Super Stearman. I ran the engine on the ground for the first time today. It started easily, idled well and ran great. It does seem to have more vibration than my previous engine and yes, the prop has been balanced. I should get a chance to go fly it for the first time in the near future.
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
I tried the throttle connection suggested by RAM3500-RCU and it worked OK. I can't quite get full throttle that way but it is adequate for the GP Super Stearman. I ran the engine on the ground for the first time today. It started easily, idled well and ran great. It does seem to have more vibration than my previous engine and yes, the prop has been balanced. I should get a chance to go fly it for the first time in the near future.
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
09-28-2008 | 09:02 AM
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From: Fresno,
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RE: First Place Engines
I flew my new FPE yesterday for the first time. The engine ran as good as it looks. FPE is not cheap but it is high quality. I guess the old saying that "you get what you pay for" applies here.
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
Best wishes and good safe flying.
Heli-NuBee (Roger)
