voicofreason

I understand that enough lubrication is important, but as long as I've got a blue trail of smoke, and my engine is running only warm, is it safe to keep leaning it until I get a hot but not overly hot engine? Right now my LRP Z.28R Spec 3 screams pretty well, but even so I can place my han on the engine head and hold it there for at least 5 seconds. It sounds like I can get more lean-ness based on this fact. Am I correct about this?

mabuecker

My Feedback: (8)

yes, if you have several tanks on the engine and its installed put a load on it(installed in car) and start to drive/track tune, lean 1 hour at a time

Chris_RC

To the thread title, temps are not a good way to tune an engine.

46u

My Feedback: (3)

I agree I tune for performance then check the temps to make sure they are in an exceptionable range. One day it might run best at 220 and the next day at 250 do to weather. During break in I make sure I get the temps up to at least 200 degrees and is very important for a proper break in.

jonnymac

As long as its under 300 and you have smoke you OK.
Like said above just use temps as a guide and tune for performance, sound and smoke.

rccheech

Nail on the head!!!!!

voicofreason

What does 200-220 feel like when touching the engine head? How long can one hold their hand on it at that temp?

Chris_RC

Id consider getting a temp gun. Makes life sooo much easier.

INTEGRA

no one can tell you this.....maybe he's got thicker hands then you like Workin Man hands...you might squeal like a pig if you tried as long as some might say. [sm=lol.gif]

voicofreason

No, I don't have thick hands. I think I'm just running the engine rich still. It's strange. I've got the low speed needle turned ALL the way in. Yikes! But the high-speed needle seems to have a little more leaning to go. Hmmmm...

jonnymac

Oh dear! Put the LSN back to somewhere near factory and tune the HSN first. Once you're happy then tune the LSN.
I'm suprised it idles

dicko

the idle screw may be screwed right in to keep the carb open & he might be running mid range upwards on the HSN only??? not a good way to run.

voicofreason

Thanks guys. Figured it was a bad thing. But the car idles fine and engine runs cool. Probably means I can get a lot more performance out of it by tuning it properly and that the HSN is too low, and LSN too high?

Other things to deal with now. I was driving full speed in the dark last night and hit a car. Oops. Relatively little damage considering, but need to fix arm and drive shaft. Can a fast motor bend the drive shaft by itself or is this most likely crash damage?

INTEGRA

100% crash......and FWIW DONT drive when you cant see.

voicofreason

I actually could see, but the street was too narrow and depth perception was a bit off in low light.

Anyway, the arm broke, but it's actually still usable. I'll replace that, though. Also, I happen to have a spare drive shaft. So, it's not going to cost me more than $10 to fix. Surprising! But, the bruise to my ego will be expensive.

mabuecker

My Feedback: (8)

i have to say my "yes" was not answering temp is way to tune...my yes is that he was ready to track tune if he had at least several tanks and engine was installed

voicofreason

Turns out I didn't have the LSN turned all the way in, it was just hard to turn with my small screwdriver.

ShoestringRacer

Here is what Bill Baxter from O.S. Engines support has to say:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_82...tm.htm#8248400

ShoestringRacer

here's a reply email from O.S. Engines tech support as well:

"Thank you for your recent e-mail.

It's not possible for us to give you an actual temperature or
temperature range for your engine. The specific temperature is
determined by too many factors. There is only one way to determine at
what temperature your engine should be run. You have to run it first
and then find out what temperature the engine reaches.

Make sure your engine is operating properly, with the performance you
expect. Use the exact setup every time...fuel, exhaust system, plug,
measurement location, and so forth. If you change anything, the
temperature will change. Once you have the engine running the way you
want it. Take your measurement. This is your starting point. You
will
have to take measurements over time to find out how the weather affects
it. As the air temperature and humidity change from day-to-day, the
operating temperature will change. Eventually, you'll find a
temperature range that you can use.

Engine temperature is not an absolute number for setting your engine.
It is only a guide, and can help alert you to potential problems. The
only sure way to make sure your engine is running correctly is to see
how it's running. An engine can be operating at "correct"
temperatures,
but not running well.

Finally, use any temperatures you read about, or people tell you, as
rough information. The only useful numbers are the ones you actually
measure when your engine is running correctly. If your engine is
running correctly, then what you measure is correct, even if some else
says it's too high or too low. Don't worry about the differences.
Each
engine is in a unique installation with a unique set of circumstances,
so there can be wide variances in engine temperature.

As far as the engine being set rich from the factory,this is need so
that the engine gets the lubrication.

I hope you find this information helpful. Should you have any further
questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at this
email address. (Please be sure to copy all previous emails into any
future questions.) You can also reach our product support technical
team at 217-398-8970, or via fax at 217-398-7721. "

rccheech

/\ /\ /\This should be attached to everyones face that has ever said " I like to run my engine at xxx degrees". Let the darn temps be what they are going to be, as long as its performing well..... and stop chasing some stupid magical number that someone says it should be at!!! Thank you for this great post... It should be a sticky!!!! [sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]THUMBS UP, Shoestringracer!![sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

lez1troubles

dito

Cheesewaffle

^^ Well said. When i was a nitro noob i really struggled with tuning because i relied too much on the temp gun. Nowadays my temp gun sits un-used in my tool box unless i get curious. I base it all on smoke, audio, and performance.

supertib

nothing worse then a temp gun jockey....Ihave seen so many guys make a mess of a perfectly good tune because of what some dime store temp gun reads.....take your temp guns and smash them on the pavement, they are useless and unecesary as far as i am concerned....... if you think you are too hot use a blob of spit on the cooling head...it is sizzless off instantly you are too hot....if it doesn't you are fine...