Picco .26 to Picco .28 swap

[rossb]

My aging Picco .26 was starting to get cranky so I swapped it for the Picco .28 that was sitting in my basement for a year and a half. I removed the back plate, inspected the motor, and then sealed it up with RTV. I also used some RTV on the carb neck when I installed the carb. I swapped the parts from the front of the .26 to the .28 and then installed it. I am running 18/47 gears.

I've only driven it slowly for a tank and a half at a very rich setting but I have to say that this thing runs sweet. It starts right up, holds a perfect idle, and has yet to stall on me. I haven't given it any more than a few very quick part throttle blips and I haven't gone anywhere near high RPM but so far I am impressed. My .26 would wheelie on pavement with quick part throttle blips. This thing spins all 4 tires instead. It has a lot of low-end torque. It was running at about 180 degrees during my break-in.

 

[olds97_lss]

Why would you have a nice new engine sitting for so long? Get a good deal on it?

How much fuel did you get through your 26 before it gave you fits?

 

[rossb]

I had some expiring Tower Hobbies coupons and a free shipping deal last year and they made the price too low to pass on. I didn't install it right away because the .26 still ran great and it refused to die.

My .26 has over 7 very hard gallons through it and most of that fuel was burned on race tracks. It even ran most of an A-Main on a dirt track with no air filter (fell off). I broke the motor down, cleaned it out, and used it for another year. It still makes great power, but it's sweet spot with respect to temps has gotten much narrower and it started to flame out on me during the last few races. Compression when cold is very good but it gets very loose when it warms up. A new piston & sleeve would probably make the thing run like new again. I might try to snag a set cheap on eBay and keep the motor as a backup.

 

[Raptorrickg]

I have the .26 as well and I have yet to run it. Do you have any advice or tips regarding the .26?? I just put it in a modded Terra Crusher/TNX. What temp did you run the .26 at?? I was told 240...does that sound about right??

 

[rossb]

Run the optional 9mm carb insert. There are two possible low side needles, the black needle has a smoother taper and it is easier to tune. Run a medium-cold plug, I got great results from the HPI R4 plug (1503) and the O'Donnell Blue sport plug (ODO003). The motor likes to run on the rich side. Mine ran best at about 210 degrees.

The motor makes a ton of low-end torque but it does not run at very high RPM. You should run very tall (numerically low, high speed) gearing. Do not run your stock gearing.