BicketyBam

Hi all - I am brand new to the RC world. I just picked up a Savage X yesterday and started the engine break in procedure today as per the manual. I live in NY and after freezing my ass off for one tank at idle and one tank of half throttle turns, I couldn't take it anymore and called it a day. Is there any problem with breaking the engine in in stages? The next decent weather day I get I will run one more tank of half throttle circles and then tune it, but they are calling for crap weather in NY tomorrow (damn snow), so it might be a few days. Any issues doing the break in over several day?

Also, what are the real "must do" mods for the Savage X. I want to throw that 18 tooth clutch bell on, but if there is something else I should be doing at the same time, I want to find out now.

Thanks for any help you can provide. I'm 39, but feel like I am 14 again. This is a very cool hobby!

ravenlunatic

i broke mine in over the course of two days, i live in iowa and it's freezing balls over here too. the truck is running great now, and haven't had any trouble yet.

i'd say up grade to a steel spur gear, i have the XSS and the steel spur is nice to have on those hard landings.

BicketyBam

What about that plastic muffler? Should I replace that too?

Stuck-N-Da-Mud

My Feedback: (14)

Well for myself I would not break a motor in when it's cold out & from watching the news NY getting it bad.Can be a pain to run in the cold with a motor thats broke in depending how cold out.Others may say different .But to get a good break in I would wait for better weather.Your not going to get a proper break in witch could later damage your motor in the long run. A motor that you could get 10 gallons of fuel out of might end up at 6 gallons not to mention bad performace (just an example) I would wait.

97talontsi

ya, from what I have read and heard
its not good to break in a motor in cold weather
because there is not enuff heat to keep the engine warm
which makes it harder for the piston to move up and down
and can cause wear inside

Stuck-N-Da-Mud

My Feedback: (14)

Try putting a sock over the cooling head while you break in

benzzyo5

^^ exactly put foil then a sock around it

Stuck-N-Da-Mud

My Feedback: (14)

Now your good to go get-r done

-whitey-

its been minus -20 plus windchill for 2weeks so far were i live , you should be fine for breaking in just put some tin foil on the cooling head and a sock , once you start it let it idle untill it gets hot enough and you should be fine i broke my engine in cold weather and it turned out fine

Sugafree

I've done break-in when it's Cold out before, Use a heat gun or hair dryer to Pre-Heat the engine before you start it and wrap the Head........
Heres a good Link for Heat Cycle Break-in,


http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=397

Stuck-N-Da-Mud

My Feedback: (14)

Just keep in mind if this is your first truck and your new leave a whole at the top of the cooling to check to check the temp . If you put to much foil plus the sock your containing the heat at one spot which could over heat the motor just be carefull .As could as it is up your way you should be OK

BicketyBam

I ran most of the first tank at idle indoors (I own my own business and have a shop/airplane hangar). I then wrapped the top part of the engine is foil for the 1/2 throttle runs outside. Never stalled once.

I wasn't really asking about breaking in an engine in the cold - I was asking if it was alright to break it in over the course of a few days. I got one response to that question, so I guess it is ok.

benzzyo5

yeah it's fine. just remember when you done and you shut down the engine ALWAYS put the piston at bottom dead center

BicketyBam

THAT I did not know. Thank you.

kimolop

You sure can break it up. It's best to let it cool completely between runs anyway. I know what you mean about the cold. Grew up in Hyde Park and was gonna visit last weekend. Decided to postpone it though! Also know what you mean about feelin' like a kid again. I'm 48.

BicketyBam

My neighbor is in his 40's and he is the one that got me thinking about it. He has a Warhead. By the way - I live in Wappingers Falls - not too far from Hyde Park.

benzzyo5

yeah thats a must, every time you shut the engine down, even if it's for a minut put it at bottom dead center

BicketyBam

Dumb question - what is the easiest way to get it there?

benzzyo5

what i did was i took the engine out, took off the exhasut header and looked into the port. turn the flywheele so you see the piston at BDC, then take a sharpie marker and mark a spot on the flywheele so evcery time your done running turn the fly wheele to that position. make sure where you mark the spot on the fly wheele you put it there very time

Sugafree

Take out the Glow Plug and Look in the Hole with a Light, then turn the flywheel till it's at BDC....Then Mark the Flywheel so You'll know where it's at for the rest of the Break-in......(It's Always Good to Put it at BDC after Every Run though...)

BicketyBam

Thanks guys - what is the theory behind putting the piston at BDC every time? Do they mention it in the manual?

benzzyo5

not they dn't but it's a very good idea. when the piston cools the sleeve contracts. if the piston is at the top and it cools it will loose compression be cause it will not contract all the way.

Nathan9492

If u do not put the piston at BDC it can squash the piston and damage the sleeve, and boom, ther goes about 3/4 of the engines life, if it ever starts again

BicketyBam

I finished the break in today - in 15 degree weather. I wrapped the engine in foil - it didn't stall once. I will now wait for a warmer day to start tuning. [8D]

benzzyo5

this makes no sense, you said "if you don't put the piston at bottom dead center it can squash the piston and damage the sleeve"

if the piston is at BDC how can it squash the piston?[sm=confused.gif][sm=confused.gif]