Using a heat gun to break in..
12-15-2007, 04:51 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dunnellon,
FL
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Using a heat gun to break in..
My new Novarossi N21B engine will be here soon and I keep reading on how you should use a heat gun when breaking in a .21 engine. I have only broken in 2 engines before in my Revo and didnt need a heat gun. Im going to go buy a heat gun and was wondering how you go about heating it up. I can see getting to one side of the motor with the heat gun ,but the receiver box would be in the way of the other side...I would think you would have to heat it up evenly around the motor and would like some advice from you guys on how you go about it. Thanks.
12-15-2007, 05:24 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: johnstown,
PA
Posts: 2,654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
use it on the top of the cooling head down in the glow plug area. using a heat gun should make it alot easier to start that 1st time
12-15-2007, 05:40 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: leicester, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
Its the pinch at the top of the sleeve that really needs to be heated. This expands and allows the piston to pass more freely.
Thats why you heat the head.
Thats why you heat the head.
12-15-2007, 05:58 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dunnellon,
FL
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
yeah I figured down by the head but was looking and figured I could only get to one side of it. So just shooting it straight down towards the glow plug is the ticket right? I just want to make sure cause my starter box that came with my hyper 7 dont fit 100% correctly even after I did some tweaking on it, so I figure start with piston at the bottom, maybe a few drops of ARO and a heat gun to make it easier on everything.
12-15-2007, 06:04 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: leicester, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
Yep, loosen the glowplug a little too as there will be tons of compression. Just tighten it up when it starts.
12-15-2007, 06:41 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tampa,
FL
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
using a heat gun should make it alot easier to start that 1st time
12-15-2007, 06:59 PM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dunnellon,
FL
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
I use ARO after Im done for the day, do you guys add more before you fire it up again? Lets say the weekend after, even on an engine thats broke in? Might be a little helpfull hint i have not heard of yet.
12-16-2007, 06:57 PM
#10
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Macon,
GA
Posts: 22,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
I know it is hard to get to the entire engine with a heat gun but I try to heat up my engines as evenly as I can. No I would not worry about after run oil before starting just after you are done running for the day.
12-17-2007, 07:58 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Paphos, CYPRUS
Posts: 2,828
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
Why heat ENTIRE engine? We heat only the head because of the cylinder. We only use heat guns AT FIRST TIME WITH A BRAND NEW ENGINE. We do this to make our cylinder (sleeve) "open" so the piston moves easier. Then, the break-in does the whole job 
12-17-2007, 09:21 PM
#12
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Macon,
GA
Posts: 22,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
When the engine runs does just the head or cylinder area get warm? NO I think you want the whole engine warm not just one part. Just my opinion and is how I do it and prefer the whole thing be at near the same temperature so all the metal expends at the same rate.
12-18-2007, 07:12 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Paphos, CYPRUS
Posts: 2,828
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
Why you think that we heat the engine? It is a fact that the brand new engines are very hard to spin, even with a starter box. The heat gun or a simple hairdryer, is used to heat the cylinder and achieve the movement of the piston through the cylinder easier.
12-18-2007, 09:35 PM
#14
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Macon,
GA
Posts: 22,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
The reason is to cut down on undo stress on the engine not only on the piston and sleeve but all so the rod and other components for a better break in. Yes it makes the engine easier to turn over as well. But what every makes you happy.
12-19-2007, 05:00 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Paphos, CYPRUS
Posts: 2,828
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
I don't know for the other components but your target is the sleeve and also by heating the sleeve, the other parts around it heat as well
12-19-2007, 04:10 PM
#16
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Tampa,
FL
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
You want to heat soak the whole engine (To the degree that it is possible) with the heat gun. Taking care that you aren't putting too much heat on the surrounding bits (Battery box, for example).
Yes, primarily you are trying to expand the piston sleeve to allow freer movement on startup/break-in, however, the whole engine goes through a break-in to some extent. Not just the piston and sleeve. You want to pre-heat the whole engine as much as possible prior to starting up the engine - especially during break-in period or cold days at the track.
I just finished breaking in my Novarossi PLUS 21-5K via the heat cycle method. I also pre-heat the engine before every start, if the motor is cold or hasn't been started in a while that day. It ultimately reduces wear and tear, same as applying ARO to it and spinning her over a few times at the end of your day does.
Yes, primarily you are trying to expand the piston sleeve to allow freer movement on startup/break-in, however, the whole engine goes through a break-in to some extent. Not just the piston and sleeve. You want to pre-heat the whole engine as much as possible prior to starting up the engine - especially during break-in period or cold days at the track.
I just finished breaking in my Novarossi PLUS 21-5K via the heat cycle method. I also pre-heat the engine before every start, if the motor is cold or hasn't been started in a while that day. It ultimately reduces wear and tear, same as applying ARO to it and spinning her over a few times at the end of your day does.
12-19-2007, 08:48 PM
#17
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Macon,
GA
Posts: 22,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
ORIGINAL: rabidsquirrel
You want to heat soak the whole engine (To the degree that it is possible) with the heat gun. Taking care that you aren't putting too much heat on the surrounding bits (Battery box, for example).
Yes, primarily you are trying to expand the piston sleeve to allow freer movement on startup/break-in, however, the whole engine goes through a break-in to some extent. Not just the piston and sleeve. You want to pre-heat the whole engine as much as possible prior to starting up the engine - especially during break-in period or cold days at the track.
I just finished breaking in my Novarossi PLUS 21-5K via the heat cycle method. I also pre-heat the engine before every start, if the motor is cold or hasn't been started in a while that day. It ultimately reduces wear and tear, same as applying ARO to it and spinning her over a few times at the end of your day does.
You want to heat soak the whole engine (To the degree that it is possible) with the heat gun. Taking care that you aren't putting too much heat on the surrounding bits (Battery box, for example).
Yes, primarily you are trying to expand the piston sleeve to allow freer movement on startup/break-in, however, the whole engine goes through a break-in to some extent. Not just the piston and sleeve. You want to pre-heat the whole engine as much as possible prior to starting up the engine - especially during break-in period or cold days at the track.
I just finished breaking in my Novarossi PLUS 21-5K via the heat cycle method. I also pre-heat the engine before every start, if the motor is cold or hasn't been started in a while that day. It ultimately reduces wear and tear, same as applying ARO to it and spinning her over a few times at the end of your day does.
Thank You!!! Bet he all so know Ofan is just a importer as well. [X(]
12-20-2007, 01:58 AM
#18
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
I just wanted to add in that because you are buying a heat gun, it does not have to be a fancy, all out, expensive automotive heat gun. I use a simple arts and crafts (scrapbooking I think) heat gun I found around the house and it does the trick perfectly for me.
12-20-2007, 07:21 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Perth, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
actually a hairdryer is often safer. You gotta be soo very carefull with a heatgun as they're usually used for paint stripping, if your not careful you'll start melting the pastics around the engine if its on a setting far too hot! lol
12-20-2007, 07:44 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Paphos, CYPRUS
Posts: 2,828
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
Here a good idea, why not we light a fire in the hole where is the glow plug? Economic and sure effective, lol 
I agree that with the heat gun. You don't want melt parts on your car Actually, i very rarely use heat guns or hairdryers to heat the engine for the break-in. I break-in OS, GX, HPI motors and so far no problem except the one situation i had with my OS V-SPEC. It just couldn't move!!! 
I agree that with the heat gun. You don't want melt parts on your car Actually, i very rarely use heat guns or hairdryers to heat the engine for the break-in. I break-in OS, GX, HPI motors and so far no problem except the one situation i had with my OS V-SPEC. It just couldn't move!!!
12-20-2007, 07:56 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Perth, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
Yeah like everything in this hobby EVERYONE has their opinion on the subject and we could all talk & argue about it till the cows come home right? LOL Personally though yeah I only really do it when the weather is cold. Since its winter in the Northern hemisphere its probably not a bad idea but it aint that necessary I think. I've run in quite a few Italian engines which are notorious for being as tight as a nun's bum but if you loosen the plug and add a few drops of ARO down the plug hole, that usually allows the engine to turn over. That and a strong torquey starterbox helps too. Actually some starterboxes are piss weak and not worth the time of day so it helps having a quality starter.
12-20-2007, 09:50 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Paphos, CYPRUS
Posts: 2,828
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
ORIGINAL: mozzzy_2000
Actually some starterboxes are piss weak and not worth the time of day so it helps having a quality starter.
Actually some starterboxes are piss weak and not worth the time of day so it helps having a quality starter.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB. Buy a battery which can used in a car and you are about to get a good time!!!
12-20-2007, 10:48 AM
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dunnellon,
FL
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Using a heat gun to break in..
Yeah my starter box is not the best out there. Thats another reason I got a heat gun. I didnt go get a big fancy one , just a cheap one from ebay. Should be ready to run it in this weekend,received the motor and pipe and just waiting on the heat gun and new motor mounts. I usually follow the manual that comes with the engine to break it in, but the one that came with my Novarossi is not very clear. just says run it for 15 minutes at low rpm. Cant be that simple could it? Guess i will find a good link on the heat cycle method and give that a try.