What should my engine temp idealy be?

[Ruhel™]

Hi. I have a ARNE-28 engine from Ansmann Racing in my Kryptonite Truggy 1:8.
I have been looking around the forum and seem people recommending temps between 230-260. I did the heat cycle break in and the engine is running smoothly and slightly rich, BUT the engine temp still high. I have a digital thermometer which I use regularly. The idle temps I get are between 220-240. But after only a little bit of full throttle it can spike to 270. I have richened HSN and LSN quite a bit and now I'm losing performance but still after full throttle I have high temps. Is this ok and all I'm doing is checking the temps at the wrong time?
Cheers
Ruhel

 

[RC Addict]

As long as you are not in the 280-300 range I would not worry too much. Just tune to where it runs well but not overly lean. A little stream of smoke and 260-270 is perfect IMO.

 

[Ruhel™]

When should I check my engine temps. On normal idling or after full throttle bursts?

 

[Scrogg]

After you burn 3/4 of a tank, run it hard and pull it in. Check the temp.Let it idle for a fewseconds holding the temp gun in place and see if the temps drop or rise with the engine idling. There is no such thing as a perfect tune....you tune your HSN to the driving conditions. if you are doing a lot of high speed runs or you are experiencing a lot wheel spin you need to richen the HSN or the temps will skyrocket up to 300F quickly.
If you are driving in a tight area using very little throttle you can safely lean the HSN for more performance without actually being lean or overheating. Same goes if there is plenty of traction.
if the temps climb at idle speed you are defintely lean on the LSN, if they drop pretty rapidly then the LSN is rich.
I always tune my engines with the HSN forjust a good top speed, I do not worry about how it accelerates at this point. Then i adjust the LSN for good acceleration. Finally i set a good steady idle speed and adjust the throttle linkage to compensate.
While I am doing this i do not touch the temp gun. after all the above adjustments are made then I check the temps.
Your cheaper engines including RTR engines tend to run best at 240-270F.
Good quality italian race engines make tons of power usually around 180 to 210F.
And finally after you have put some time on the glow plug, pull it out and inspect it. it should be clean to a light brown around the housing of the gp. The element should not be distorted in any way. If the housing is black and the element is distorted you are too lean. if the housing is clean and the element coils are pushed in you are too rich.
That's the best advice i can give you from here.
Some engines take up to two full gallons to completely break in and let you lean down the HSN for maximum performance without running hot.
Ex; My LRP Z.28 ran 240 ish without touching the HSN for two gallons. After that one day i fired it up and it was soooslow and the temps where down to 160. I leaned her out about 3/4 turn on the HSN and she and turned into a rocket and ran 210 to 235 with amazing acceleration and top spped. I sold the engine to a friend after 4 gallons. i seen it not too long ago and it has six+ gallons on it and still runs just like it did when i had it.