Rodders,

I have found that cam gear damage can occur on the first run. It might not fail for 50 flights but it gets damaged on the first run.

I open the cam gear cover up and put oil directly in there. This makes sure its got good lube the first time it turn over. I learned this little technique back when I was running 140FZ's and 140L's. Since doing it I have not had a problem with a cam gear.

Also stick some oil in the carb to lube the bottom end a bit for the first run also. I use the Ultra Oil Perf Spec sells or just plain old Mobile 1 Synth oil.

Another thing with the 140 L is if you run it it lean it can backfire pretty hard. This can also be running it out of fuel while in the air. That is a lean run. The backfire will put large loads on the cam gear. A bent spinner, or slipped backplate is a sign of it going lean in the air.

I stand by what I have said about props and running the motors where they are designed to run. All the 140's and 160 run best in the mid 8500 range. A 140L works good on a 15-12 or 15-12W with 20-30% nitro. The heli fuels like the Cool Power 30% heli is awesome and you can probably get away witha 16-11 or so on a 140L maybe a really strong one will turn the 16-12 at about 8400 and will work. The more you load the engine down the more it heats up and is likely to talk back when it runs out of fuel or has a problem. Run them at a few hundred rpm higher and they breathe better and stay cool, and are likely stay running for years and years.

Troy Newman
YS Performance