Starcraft-IX

Okay, so I recently built a SS .25 and have close to a half gallon through it. Yesterday, I took it out and the engine was running, but the truck stood still. Turns out, the flywheel was too loose and the brass collet was toasted (not to mention the clutch springs since the loose flywheel chewed them up)

Question is, how tight should that big nut on the crankshaft be that holds the flywheel on? I've never had this problem on other nitros of mine, but with the 3 shoe clutch, it is VERY difficult to get a grip on that thing with a wrench, and I don't have a deep well socket. What do you use to tighten that thing?

thanks

Nitronutt

My Feedback: (2)

I used a large pair of vice grips (Be very careful not to damage the flywheel). Your LHS has a tool to hold the engine at BDC to tighten that nut.
Get that nut as tight as you dare.

I Eat Glue

Post up above is perfect but you could add lock tight. Not sure on what color or strength though.

lax195

My Feedback: (2)

DO NOT USE LOC-TITE! BAD IDEA! You will never be able to get the nut off. It states in many instruction manuals to never use it on the flywheel nut. And I have also had an experiece where this happened... trust me, its a bad idea. Just tighten down the nut as tight as you can get it.

I Eat Glue

Oh, ok. Thanks for the correction.

lax195

My Feedback: (2)

Oh no problem [8D].

46u

My Feedback: (3)

I use loc tite on all my flywheel nuts and never had a problem with getting the nut off. My manual that came with my 4.6 says to use it. Do not use anything stronger then blue. If you have a problem with getting something loose when using loc tite just apply some heat with a small torch and it will come loose.

I Eat Glue

Ehhh, all is to his own. With the crazy strong engines its probably a good idea, but its more a personal prefernece.

46u

My Feedback: (3)

Just depends if you what to keep pulling the motor to tighten the nut. My opinion is the people that make the product and the manuals know their product. So if they say to loc tite it I do.

Starcraft-IX

Yup - I used Loc tite. Can be tough to get off, but like 46U said, heat (I use a hairdryer) makes it come right off.

Nitronutt

My Feedback: (2)

I haven't used loctite on the nut on my SH and haven't had any problems with the flywheel coming loose. Just make it tight...nuff said.

46u

My Feedback: (3)

Here is a quote off HPI web site form.

The flywheel has to be extremely tight, the best way to tighten it is with a piston locking device. If you don't get it tight enough it could come loose and damage the collet. There is a good flywheel article on RC Nitro's site that helps show how to tighten it:

www.rcnitro.com/articles

Note: All RTR trucks come with the flywheel properly tightened, this only applies to the Savage SS kit or if you have removed your flywheel.