HPI Savage with OS Motor

[semotorsports]

I have an HPI savage X with an OS 3 horse motor on it.Also it is backed by a 3 speed trans. and savage XL difs. This truck is wicked fast and alot of power .I'm getting it figured out, except for the clutch bearings. I have replaced them several times on this truck with stock HPI bearings. I'm running stock HPI vented Clutch Bell 16 tooth and a stock steel spur gear also from HPI. Neither shafts are bent and I set the gear mesh real nice with a pc. of paper , spur gear meshes real well and spins freely.
I guess my question is why do I go through bearings? and why does HPI have smaller bearing them traxxas? HPI are 5x10x4 and Traxxas are 5x11x4?
I'm sure it will help to have a bigger bearing???
This time I put in a set of dynamite bearings with seals on both sides lets see how long until this monster eats these up!!!:\
I use this truck on our track here @ our house, it is a dirt track with clay.
I hope somebody can help me out.

ED

 

[olds97_lss]

CB bearings burn up and are some of the hardest working bearings on a nitro rig. I've never used HPI bearings for that.

5x10x4 is pretty standard for most 1/8 scale CB's.

When you shim your bell, do you have any play left when it's all installed? You should be able to push/pull the bell and have a tick of play. The bell should also spin freely pretty easy when the engine is in your hands. If you don't have play or the bell won't free spin very long when you spin it, I'd guess that your shimming is too tight. This puts a lot of side load stress on the bearings and burns them up pretty quick.

I've been using Avid and FastEddy bearings on my rigs lately and they both seem to hold up pretty well. $1 a piece.
FastEddy: http://kickassrc.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=203_216
Avid: http://www.avidrc.com/product/8/metric-bearings/

 

[semotorsports]

Bearings

Yes I understand that these bearings have alot of RPM and stress on them.They are the hardest working dry bearing on an RC.
When I put any clutch bell on I always shim them and tighten them down,until I'm happy with the end play (just a tick) and I make sure the clutch bell does not rub the flywheel and that it spins as free as it can.
I can assume that with this combo that I should keep a good eye on these bearings since it makes a ton of HP.
I will also try some bearings from the link you sent me. I will order some for HPI and my Traxxas.
This forum is the best.

Ed