It looks like the kid's gonna be busy this weekend. In the wake of the recent Diesel and Chopper builds, I've started receiving small engines from friends and family.
I was offered first a rusty 3.5 hp lawn mower from a good friend, but it looked well past redemption. Didn't pull for crap, and the recoil was already funky... 2 strikes against it out of the gate, which told me enough to let him scrap it. Awful nice of him to think of me first, though.
The first gift I actually took was a Ryobi 31cc from my Dad, and the second was a very old Homelite ST-200 from my Grandad. I may have a larger saw engine on the way from my cousin as well. I won't yet count that chicken, until it's hatched.
This leads me to my first question for all of my worthy constituents here at the forum: Which of these two would you choose, if this were your build? Pros/Cons?
I've replaced the fuel lines already in the Ryobi, and I believe it may only need to replace a broken primer bulb to get a little life out of it. Smooth recoil, good compression. Known to have sat a good while in Dad's storage garage. No idea what put it down in the first place. Looks like the obvious choice, as it's the larger one.
The Homelite is definitely much older. If I were to guess, I'd say 70's. Flithy on the inside, but the gas lines are surprisingly well intact or already replaced prior to my receipt of it. Pulls harder than Hades, but still rolls over with a good punch. Still won't start. I think it may have ran too thin, too long? I'm no expert, but it seems likely. This one will definitely be the harder of the two to get running, but I'll dive in if it's worth the trouble.
I'm happy with the Diesel as my A-to-B ride, yet already scheming on my next project. No idea what frame I'll be motorizing, but I see these are popular engines for many friction drives. I also have no aversion to going chain drive, but not sure how effective these would be in that application.
(Both engines were tested as is, then torn down for a quick inspection.)
I suppose my question is, which would be more reliable and/or easier to maintain? I've no experience with either of them yet, but I feel pretty lucky to have them fall into my lap thanks to the kindness of others.
I'll gladly read and consider any relevant opinions on the subject. Thanks, all!
I was offered first a rusty 3.5 hp lawn mower from a good friend, but it looked well past redemption. Didn't pull for crap, and the recoil was already funky... 2 strikes against it out of the gate, which told me enough to let him scrap it. Awful nice of him to think of me first, though.
The first gift I actually took was a Ryobi 31cc from my Dad, and the second was a very old Homelite ST-200 from my Grandad. I may have a larger saw engine on the way from my cousin as well. I won't yet count that chicken, until it's hatched.
This leads me to my first question for all of my worthy constituents here at the forum: Which of these two would you choose, if this were your build? Pros/Cons?
I've replaced the fuel lines already in the Ryobi, and I believe it may only need to replace a broken primer bulb to get a little life out of it. Smooth recoil, good compression. Known to have sat a good while in Dad's storage garage. No idea what put it down in the first place. Looks like the obvious choice, as it's the larger one.
The Homelite is definitely much older. If I were to guess, I'd say 70's. Flithy on the inside, but the gas lines are surprisingly well intact or already replaced prior to my receipt of it. Pulls harder than Hades, but still rolls over with a good punch. Still won't start. I think it may have ran too thin, too long? I'm no expert, but it seems likely. This one will definitely be the harder of the two to get running, but I'll dive in if it's worth the trouble.
I'm happy with the Diesel as my A-to-B ride, yet already scheming on my next project. No idea what frame I'll be motorizing, but I see these are popular engines for many friction drives. I also have no aversion to going chain drive, but not sure how effective these would be in that application.
(Both engines were tested as is, then torn down for a quick inspection.)
I suppose my question is, which would be more reliable and/or easier to maintain? I've no experience with either of them yet, but I feel pretty lucky to have them fall into my lap thanks to the kindness of others.
I'll gladly read and consider any relevant opinions on the subject. Thanks, all!