My Frankenstien T Maxx

[Reddog]

I bought this truck on e-bay, cheap. I got the truck rtr with a bunch of extra parts, even a spare engine. Now I wondered about the spare engine with the pull start cord all tangled around the engine but just put it aside and moved on. Me and my boy played around with it for a bit checking wires, servos and what nots then decided to try to start it up. Took about 10 minutes and a carb clean but we got it to run. Ran out about half a tank before it died. Figured it was because it was -3 when we did this. Now the next day my wife wanted to see it run. Again about ten minutes of fighting and she started up. Not much power or spunk. Found that this engine has low compression. Checked out the spare, tons of compression. Ok, rebuild the pull start as the easy start wont work on this one and about 15 minutes later and ONE pull it was running. Having a blast with her. Still feels underpowered, but good reliable engine always starts and runs the entire tank without issue.

A couple things I did figure out is that the drive ends are from a 3.3, the engine that came with it I believe is a 2.5r and the engine on it now is a .15. The tranny I have no idea witch model it is from, yes it has reverse so I THINK it is a 2.5 tranny but not certain.
The rear bumper mount on the bulkhead is broke off. The tranny does not like switching from forward to revers or back and the shift point is really high.

I did put a new radio in it, the Fly Sky IT4. Any ideas on the tranny? Or do I need to rebuild it? As soon as I get some decent pictures I will post them for reference.

Shaun

 

[Cornholio]

First off, when it's cold you need to pre-heat the engine with a heat gun or hefty hair dryer. Trying to run a very cold engine will shorten the life of it greatly.

 

[Reddog]

Yea, guess I forgot to mention I start it up in the heated shop by the vent fan until the engine is about 150 degrees or so.

 

[1mtx1]

First off, when it's cold you need to pre-heat the engine with a heat gun or hefty hair dryer. Trying to run a very cold engine will shorten the life of it greatly.

I am going to take on a used truck my self, and sure enough it is cold. And buying used on my end even though i get to see it first hand i have no idea if it seen 3 gallons or 6 threw it. I will heat it up and i agree its best to heat it up inside , there is a few ways people use. I like the hair dryer, i do want to add if its one your mom or sister has it might take some time to get it up to temp. I know my girl has a basic little one it does get warm but i would not say hot. I want to add tinfoil or a sock can help but you have to make sure you check the temps well driving. Would you tend to agree that is true? My friend when i started many years ago would get his truck warm in side and use a tinfoil and he had a issue. We went to a lhs and they said he is not watching the temps with the foil or sock that he used.

---------- Post added at 11:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 AM ----------

Yea, guess I forgot to mention I start it up in the heated shop by the vent fan until the engine is about 150 degrees or so.

You are on the right path, buying used and not knowing what was done or used is a shot in the dark. I did this many many years ago with a jato and it was hell. I would get up to 220 deg and it would just cut out, i would watch the temps and keep in mind if it cold out side you want to run a tad rich anyways. I would just keep checking it and run it like it is as far as the motor goes. If you want post a few pics and worst case pick a free night and pull the truck apart and go over the gears. You can email the person and ask them what they used or any other question you might have for us. I do want to ask what did you end up paying?

 

[Reddog]

The e-bay seller said he bought it used and only ran it a few times. Never really did anything with it but could never get it to run past about half a tank or so. The engine that was on it had marks on the top of the piston and in the cylinder like someone had used a screwdriver to hold the engine while they took off or installed the flywheel.

The issue that bothers me the most is it being a pain to get from forward to reverse and back. Keeps going to "neutral" if you will. I did find that the chassis plate is bent a little, hard bashing I imagine. But I have found them pretty cheap. My plan of attack before I do much running is this. Complete teardown and clean ( this thing is filthy). The transmission may just need a good cleaning. Also I want too replace the broken rear bulkhead. I have fixed the fuel issue by opening up the vent port and fuel pickup port with a tiny drill bit.

This is a video of the first real run around with it. Now this is after I had installed the IT4 radio, but it is running rich, engine would only get to about 170 degrees. Outside temp was in the low 40s that day.

Thanks everyone, Shaun

 

[Snook Man]

The issue with the shifting-forward/reverse is the idle speed is too high.

Shift point is close; I prefer mine to shift a little later than what yours is.

 

[Reddog]

Cool, Thank You, Shaun

 

[1mtx1]

idle is to high, it is shifting to soon. Make sure your plug has some fuel on it, you want to be running rich in the cold. Do not force it lean to get more speed, i just got my truck today and it is running rich and it is not reaching its max i know it but i rather not beat up a used truck. I got a 2.5 with a 3.3 with no reverse .

 

[Reddog]

not sure why it is not leaving a smoke trail, she is running very rich.

 

[hulkmaxx]

Maybe off subject some but how do you like the It4 radio man? I just bought one waiting for it to come in.

 

[Reddog]

Once I got it figured out I love it. The telemetry tells me exactly what the engine temp and battery voltage is. The screen is a little hard to read in the sun but not to bad.
When you get yours feel free to ask anything you may have trouble with. Mine did not come with a manual or even a disk so I had to figure it out the hard way.

 

[hulkmaxx]

Once I got it figured out I love it. The telemetry tells me exactly what the engine temp and battery voltage is. The screen is a little hard to read in the sun but not to bad.
When you get yours feel free to ask anything you may have trouble with. Mine did not come with a manual or even a disk so I had to figure it out the hard way.

Thanks man will do. I've been using the Flysky Gt3b for about a year and its been awesome. The main reason I upgraded is because of the temp sensor setup. I got a lot of track time to put in this summer and thought the onboard temp would be great to have.

 

[Reddog]

No doubt there!! The temp sensor setup is easy, the speed on the other hand..... The temp really helps with tuning as well. Had me nephew record the screen for an entire run. Figured the average temp and was able to tune it better from there. For the price you absolutely cannot beat it.

 

[hulkmaxx]

No doubt there!! The temp sensor setup is easy, the speed on the other hand..... The temp really helps with tuning as well. Had me nephew record the screen for an entire run. Figured the average temp and was able to tune it better from there. For the price you absolutely cannot beat it.

Couldn't agree with you more on that one there products are great for there pricing.

 

[savage24x]

Thanks man will do. I've been using the Flysky Gt3b for about a year and its been awesome. The main reason I upgraded is because of the temp sensor setup. I got a lot of track time to put in this summer and thought the onboard temp would be great to have.

My GT3b just came in. It's pretty nice and I'm sure I'll love it more as I use it more often.

 

[Reddog]

Quick update: I richened it up a bit more, now has a decent smoke trail. Lowered the idle, now shifts into and out of reverse better, not great but better. Was going to do some performance enhancements but my 10 year old really enjoys driving it so I will leave it the way it is until his skill gets better.
Shaun