Ok yall...I have noticed there are some people that get nervous about recieving their first nitro, or didnt have much luck with a previous one and dont wanna mess up their new one..lol...im not an expert by far but here are some tips that I have learned from people smarter then me (yall know who you are..lol) and some I learned from my own experience (some of which I should have learned from the previously mentioned but evidently decided to do it the hard and expensive way..lol).
first off we know to make sure all the screws are tight that a going into plastic...and to locktite all the screws going into metal and make sure they are tight as well..check to make sure your wheels are tight and while your at it you just might want to check your carb to make sure the needles are set to properly break in your engine.. not all times are the needles set to were your engine will actually start and stay running. I've added a picture of proper adjustment that I borrowed from Wade....I hope he doesnt mind lol. you can set your high speed needle and your low speed needle while the radio gear is turned off...to set your idle the radio gear needs to be on. Also check your fuel lines for holes and make sure they are tight were connected to the engine pipe and tank
While you have the radio turned on setting your idle, do a radio check to make sure your radio gear works properly, as sometimes the channels are reversed or the trim needs to be adjust...
it is VERY IMPORTANT to remove the glow plug and put the piston at bdc (bottom dead center).. and use a permanent marker to mark your flywheel under the car so you can put your piston at bdc ASAP after the engine has ran and to be stored. I do this by sticking a zip tie down into the cylinder and gently rotating the flywheel until the piston is at bdc. for break in Especially a big block gently tighten the glow plug and then just crack it loose a bit...this will make it a whole lot easier to start
After you have done this your pretty much ready to break ur new baby in...Im not opening the can of worms of which break method to use.. Im not claiming this is full proof.. you may still have problems and it can be frustrating...but once you get the hang of it this hobby is very fun as well as addicting.
Oh by the way...my reason for this thread is not only to help people out..but out of 6 engines I broke in so far only 3 of them were adjusted to wear the engine would actually run and idle....so dont always assume your new nitro engine is set to factory settings..