I know a few in New Jersey that were using them for 1/2A combat. I have a few myself that are scheduled to go to Doug. I was impressed. They were showing more rpm's than the Cyclon. Ken

Hi Pat,

Some time back I purchased a couple of the Picco P-Zero engines when they were on sale, and was wondering how well they stood up after Doug's rework. Your reply here has rekindled my interest in this project by answering one of my main question i.e. durability of the reworked engines, and I thank you for that.

A friend of mine is very interested in half-A Proto speed, so I thought here was a way to participate in the event as a supporter, since my piloting skills are kind of pathetic. 

So I bought the engines, and talked to Doug G. about the rework, but hearing no further word on the performance of these beautiful engines I kind of hesitated to persue this any farther.

I'm also a great fan of sport FF as that is where I started in this hobby many years ago, and these Picco engines are very competitive in that event from what I hear. Now that R/C assist is so inexpensive, there is also a chance for someone like me who can no longer chase wayword airplanes on foot.

I'd like to hear more about your experience with Proto Speed, as we have a good group here in NW Oregon that is trying to promote the event.

Bill

I just sent 2 engines to Doug.  A little excited about it.  Hope the crank mode will make it work for my use.

just got the little monsters back.  6 day turn around including shipping. 

Now have to figure out prop, fuel and plug.  Note Not using them for speed so they are not destroked.

I was going to do it myself, but learning of the crank breakage and fixes, I just had Doug do it.  It is his needle , venturi and prop drive and spinner.   I had him just turn down the stock head and I'll use turbo plugs.  On the crank he did the sleeve and the new bearings but did not regrind the crank pin, so it is a .05.  The goal is to use them for combat, and sport flying.   

Aren't those engines 0.85cc ? The displacement (0.05187 cubic inch) is a little too large to meet AMA rules for combat (0.0514 cubic inch).

I guess it depends on local rules, there are some places that allow 0.061 plain bearing.

-Chris

Dave,

I would say the burden is on you to prove it is legal, since the published specifications say otherwise.

Last time I looked for specifications on the p-zero, the bore was specified as 10.5mm and stroke as 0.98mm.
You can do your own math but that comes out that comes out a little shy of 0.85cc. (0.8486cc to 4 places).
Convert that to english units and you get 0.05178ci.

The AMA half-A combat rules clearly specify maximum displacement as 0.0514 cubic inch.

In a local contest, certainly I would let a person fly the Picco if everyone agreed. Which they would.
Taking the Picco to the Nats might be a different story.

Besides, 0.8cc Fora engines are not impossible to get. Just pricey.

-Chris

 p-0 holds the proto record now and we all know if you pop a record you are going to open her up for inspection..

1/2 A combat started out as an affordable event with $6 Black Widows and $8 TeeDee .049's.
Now you need a $215 Picco that has more power than an LA15.

So just make a combat event with LA15's and give 1/2A the last rites.   Anybody can get a new LA15 for $80 or an Ebay unit for a lot less.  Then maybe there would be enough flyers to have a contest.  As it stands now, you can get into F2D with less effort than 1/2A.

For the last three days I've been combing the new for a matched pair of 1/2A's for a twin engine scale job.  There's not much out there.  Even with .061's the well is dry.  I can use old TeeDee's.  Just buy six and hope three will run.

Texastimers has the bladder material and bits Including a fine pitch needle valve for a TD

Paul,
I have $75 rework in each engine.  The engine has a weak crank.  Otherwise I would have only $35 per engine, and a couple hours of my own (free) lathe work. 
The was the goal, a cheap combat PRACTICE engine, but due to weak crank I missed. The engines were only $20 each. he sells a read to run engine for $215. 
Another $30 per engine will destroke them to get them .049 legal but who cares?

Chris,
As far as legal... splitting hairs?  You only have 3 digits, the fourth is not significant go back to your high school chemistry class, you don't have 4 digits.   
Also when I measured the stroke with a dial indicator, I got less than the quoted 10.5mm but I mat be out of cal.

The engine is larger than a td 051 at .0517, but this combat, not speed that little makes gives no advantage.
Good for you you just stopped someone else from competing!   The contests are just full of 1/2A combat the are just turning away everyone! 
When you are there alone flying matches alone, pat yourself on the back....  At my skill level, the mild fuel I use and the cheap inefficient cox props, the .0003 won't matter. 
Any contest around here except the nats allow plane bearing 061's anyway. 

The engine runs great, it handles like a much larger motor. It's been fun

I have a couple of Doug Galbreath Picco P-0 early conversions that have the weak crank shaft. At the time he was selling two versions....one was for the FF crowd and was de-stroked to meet the rules...those of us who got the combat versions were not de-stroked. He now produces them with a redesigned crankshaft and all are de-stroked and stronger

Of course all speculation can be solved by calling Doug... I know many of you all know him personally