Werent the gears on the Genesis LE supposed to be stronger? I took my first trip to an open field to test out the new shift point settings, and lost the small pinion (GS089 17t). The only driving i did were some high speed passes, and some runs in and out of a ditch that surrounds this field. I was a little disappointed to hear the clicking, crunching, grinding.... Any thoughts on this CENracing?

I know this doesnt quite pertain to your question, but i went ahead and had the gen shift to second as early as possible, and my pinions finally seem to be holding up.
The first gear pinion would never last me i could tear them up in a few runs.

Really? Well CEN replied to my e-mail, and told me this...

Matt,

Those gears are solid and will usually last a long time. When those gears go out its usually a case of a gear mesh gone bad. Those parts aren't normally replace under warranty but we will replace it for you if you'd like. I just don't suggest it because the shipping alone will cost more than it does at RCmodels. My best advice is to buy one there and put it on the bell. After you re-install the engine in the truck be sure that the pinion gears are pressed tightly against the spur gears. They should not move freely. The reason for this is that as the truck runs the vibration causes the gears to seperate slightly and run at a proper mesh. I'm sorry that I don't have a better solution for you, but after replacing that gear and fixing the mesh it should run solid for a long period of time. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,
CEN Customer Service
714-792-1923


If his method is right, then my gear mesh was wrong. I was setting it close, but not to the point that it was binding like he says to in that e-mail. My first impressions are that the gears, AND bearings are going to get a royal thrashing. The gears are 10 bucks or less, so i'll try it. We'll see what happens. My shift point into 2nd was super early before. Leaving my truck shifting into second like a dog, and draggging badly until it hit 3rd. With both shift points later, the truck is performing really well. I'll give it some runs this weekend. I'll have my LHS order the gears tomorrow.

Hey guys,

I know it sounds crazy, I didn't believe it either when I first got here. After following the advice of the season CEN vets and setting a tight mesh; however, my truck runs without any kind of spur or pinion problems, even after a 5 tank abuse session at a local racetrack.

Jeremy
CEN Customer Service

Thanks for the help Jeremy. You guys are always quick to help out, and always respond to e-mail. I'll pick up some new gears, and try that tight mesh. Then im heading back out for a bashing session. This trucks climbing power is just unreal!

is the tight mesh just a genesis thing, or does it apply to all steel spur and pinion combinations?

This is only a Genesis thing...normally bound or tight mesh on steel to steel gears will cause premature wear...

Since CEN does state this it is safe to do for their Genesis...

just curious, can I only use CEN gears for my Genesis?

There was a guy on ebay from Italy selling hardened gears but I don't know if they are any better then the current gears. I bet all the gear problems would go away if CEN made a front motor mount. Kind of like the new support for the tranny gears. Better yet, extend the tranny brace up to a bearing on the front of the engine. I suspect that the tight mesh is to compensate for the engine torque forcing the gears apart when the engine, mount and chassis flex a little. I knew I needed a front motor mount for my conversion or it would never work.

Well, heres a pic of my gears...

I have the gears from Italy and these gears are just great. I have used them for about one and a half gallon, and just minimum wear.
Sorry but I can't find his e-mail. But his screen name is toto67 so you could PM him. I think the price on the gears + shipping was 35 dollars world wide.

here is his email address - [email protected]

and here is the last email i got from him.

ThermalRD,

What 6v hump pack will fit the Genesis ?


Thanks

That's what my clutch bell gears look like right now. I was under the impression that gear mesh was supposed to be close but not tight, guess I'll have to try fixing that. Now if I can only get the carb fixed properly...........

Buster

STC, I use an Ofna 1400mah hump pack. Any hump pack should fit.

Just like Jigga said, any 6v hump pack should fit. If you guys are interested in the outcome of these gears, just wait until this weekend. My new gears will be in Friday, and i'll run it hard this weekend. I'd love think that their method would work, but my better judgement tells me i'll have more damaged gears, AND some thrashed bearings. But we'll see...