jc03

I'm replacing the flex cable in my Rio 51 Z and thought it may be a good time to add a clutch. I'm a casual hobbyist and do find it a pain to always have the prop running. Can anyone recommend a good place to find a clutch online? Do I need to make any other modifications? Thanks in advance. The boat has a Zenoah 26cc engine.

mudboger07

I'm rebuilding my 1/5 hydro and added a 26cc gas with clutch, give bonze sports a call, I just received my clutch from them and wow its well built. I'd bought a clutch from ebay first and all I can say is it was junk. Bonzi Clutch Page

This is their site.

Hydro Junkie

On a Rio, I understand using a clutch. On a hydro, however, I've seen a clutch cost more than one person a heat win when it started slipping. Mudboger, I'd sell JC03 the clutch and stick to a direct drive on your hydro

jc03

Thanks for the info. I checked out their page. Looks good. My boat has a header and pipe from BH Hansen. I see they also have one. How would you estimate they stack up? Do I also need a water pump?

Tidnab

My Feedback: (51)

Here's a Bonzi clutch I bought used to put on a Zen 260 that will go into my Expresscraft VX Rocket. It seems pretty hefty and strong. Put a wanted ad on some sites and see if anyone has one they'd sell.

quickdraw

For any of our engines we recommend the Bonzi clutch system. They are a good clutch setup and even held up against our 105cc engines.

Todd

Quickdraw

jc03

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I spoke with the folks at Bonzi yesterday and they were very helpful. Ended up ordering the clutch kit, mount for the Rio and even a new Bonzi prop. Spent a lot more than I wanted but it should be a good project and work out real well. That said I'd love any advice anyone has on the install. It seems like I'm going to have to move the motor up a bit and modify several parts. Thanks!

mudboger07

I'd agree with you hydro if I was racing, but I'm a casual rc boat guy, im mostly into giant scale 3d rc planes. The only reason I went with he clutch was to be able to have the Hydro idle and not move as it would with direct drive. Granted I need to probably add a water pump since adding the clutch but I don't intend on it idling for more than 30 seconds or so at a time. Just when tuning or setting it in the water. I thank you for all advice though as I am a newbie to rc hydros for sure.

Hydro Junkie

Jc03 AND Mudbogger, a water pump is something you need to install in your cooling system. Since R/C boats are built with a "ram-pressure" feed system, having some way to keep water going through the cooling jacket is a must. It doesn't take a lot of heat to ruin an engine

jc03

Thanks. Yep. It's coming in along with the clutch.

mudboger07

Yep, definitely on my to order list too. It's a very good idea. My idea of simply adding a new motor has gone from that to a complete rebuild of the entire boat....lol thank goodness I love this hobby...lol The good thing is there are so many helpful people on here it makes it easier to build without a lot of mistakes. Nice looking boat by the way JC03.

jc03

[img][/img][img][/img]I'm having trouble removing this part. I took out all the bolts but it won't budge. It's where the collet connected.
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Hydro Junkie

It may take a puller to get it off, kind of like one used for steering wheels and such.

mistycreekboats

My Feedback: (1)

Heat and steering wheel puller like stated above - heat the pulley not the center. Usually apply some pressure with steering wheel type puller - then add a bit of heat and should pop off. Use the same idea when or if u need to pop a flywheel as well.

Pressure with puller - then heat if doesn't pop. Don't go too much on puller without bit heat.

jc03

Great. Thanks. You mean a puller like this?

crapshooter

Yes that style of puller will be fine.

RC-Cola

A steering wheel puller not the jaw type.

mistycreekboats

My Feedback: (1)

like so

mistycreekboats

My Feedback: (1)

Or get a Multi tool from WHH (Bonzi) has puller tool in handle

mistycreekboats

My Feedback: (1)

Multi-Purpose Engine Tool - E5 Engine Tool

crapshooter

just use the 3 prong puller as in first pics not those pullers that mistycreek boats said. no need for any heat either , this can destroy the plastic bearing seals.

jc03

Got the puller at harbor freight and took about 30 seconds to get it off. Just got the motor back together. The guys at Bonzi have been fantastic.
[img][/img][img][/img]

Hydro Junkie

Amazing what happens when you have the right tools, isn't it

jc03

Yesterday I finished up getting the clutch and water pump mounted and everything installed and lines up in the boat. The only thing I didn't do was cut the new flex cable. I was excited to see if it would fire up. Pretty much an epic fail.

1. I couldn't cleanly pull the pull start. The clutch spins free by hand but not when you pull it. It either stops right before you feel the engine turn over once or allows one revolution?

2. I made a hose to attach to both water pickups so I didn't burn anything up while testing it in the driveway. I barely turned the hose on just so there was a trickle out of the exits and I noticed water leaking out of the bottom of the pump and out of the air intake by the carb?

After all the time and research I've put in to this needless to say I'm really knocked down a bit by having all these issues. Does anyone have any thoughts?

mistycreekboats

My Feedback: (1)

The water in the motor now has 'hydro locked' the motor - boat will need plug pulled and inverted and tilted several times to make sure water is out of engine and exhaust

Hooked up wrong or faulty pump

Pumps have a vacuum side and a water side - if you hook vacuum line to water it will fill motor with water (like it sounds like it has done)
If gasket between two side of pump has failed it will do the same - too much hose water pressure of faulty gasket

Clean it out and check hook up of lines - look at pump - water one side - vacuum the other

Later