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3.Once you have cleaned out your engine, following the “tuning tip” above, place the vehicle on the ground and begin 

driving it around while cycling the throttle between 1/4 and wide open, while you or your helper periodically check the 
engine’s temperature and make adjustments to the Main needle (if necessary) during quick pit stops. We strongly 
recommend doing this by running your vehicle in figure 8’s, in an area approximately 30’ x 50’. Figure 8’s, in this size 
area, work good because they allow you to cycle the engine between 1/4 and full throttle without over-reving the 
engine, while at the same time maintaining normal operating temperatures. Immediately, evaluate how the engine is 
running. It should be running rich, meaning the engine should feel low on power and quite a bit of smoke should be 
coming from the exhaust at full throttle. Break-in is a 4-tank procedure, and the goal during the first 4 tanks is to start 
the Main needle (also known as the high-speed needle) at a rich setting. NOTE: a good starting point is 
approximately 5/8 turn richer than the baseline Main needle setting found on page 17 of the manual. With each 
consecutive tank, the Main needle should be leaned about an1/8 turn. As you lean the needle each tank, you should 
notice that the engine’s temperature and performance will also increase. Once you are ready for the 5th tank of fuel, 
ideally your Main needle should still be slightly on the rich side and within 1/8 to 1/4 turn from optimum setting.
Following these procedures, run the engine for a complete tank of fuel – then shut it down. Allow the engine to cool 
down COMPLETELY before re-starting.

WARNING: During the break-in procedure NEVER allow the engine to over-rev to maximum RPM, as this will cause excess
stress on the piston, which can lead to the piston shattering. During break-in, when running at full throttle, always let off the
throttle before the engine reaches approximately 50% of its RPM potential.

NOTE: the low-speed needle will be fine-tuned later; however, during the break-in procedure it is a good idea to make sure it
is set about 1/4 turn richer than the baseline setting found on page 17 of the manual.

4.Continue this process for 4 tanks of fuel, making sure to allow the engine to cool down completely to ambient 

temperature before running the next tank of fuel. Also, make sure to lean the Main needle 1/8 turn prior to starting the
engine each tank. On the 5th tank of fuel, you should be ready for fine-tuning the carburetor to optimal settings and 
cool-down between tanks of fuel are no longer necessary.

6

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Summary of Contents for FR21

Page 1: ...50201 SILVER STREET VICKSBURG MI 49097 PH 269 649 9583 FAX 269 649 9584 WWW FANTOMRACING COM...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...NE 22 ENGINE MAINTENANCE CAUTION STATEMENT 3 INSTALLING FR 21 27 23 NEWS WARRANTY 4 INSTALLING FR 21 27 24 FR 21 27 REPLACEMENT PARTS 5 INSTALLING FR 21 27 ENGINE OPTIONS 25 FR 21 27 REPLACEMENT PARTS...

Page 4: ...refer to your vehicle s instruction manual for any special instructions not covered in this manual 2 If applicable remove your old engine from the original engine mount and set it aside to use with y...

Page 5: ...leaking fuel tank can cause severe problems with your engine s performance Therefore inspect the tank for leaks and replace it if needed Install a new fuel line leaving plenty of extra length it will...

Page 6: ...they can order one for you from one of our distributors They are available in natural team finish part FAN20014 single stage or FAN20016 dual stage or shiny nickel finish part FAN20015 single stage o...

Page 7: ...figurations by referring to the following information and part numbers 1 Your FR21 or FR27 was built with a standard glow plug head button which is best suited for off road and or high torque applicat...

Page 8: ...il later in the manual in the Break In section The cooling fin area of the cylinder head regulates the temperature When a carburetor mixture is set properly the temperature of the engine should be of...

Page 9: ...for proper combustion chamber compression Excessive rubbing due to under expansion of the cylinder sleeve produces pinch zone wear Pinch zone wear produces combustion gas blow by when the engine is up...

Page 10: ...an Although not all are directly related to fuel the following list includes the most common causes for lean mixtures 1 The primary needle valve is set too lean 2 Incorrect gearing placing too much lo...

Page 11: ...dense air conditions this is why you will usually notice better engine performance in the spring and fall months IMPORTANT In cold weather conditions e g winter months and or certain regions in the wo...

Page 12: ...true of low elevations The higher you are above sea level the more you must lean the needle valve and vice versa The Effect of Operating Conditions Depending on your particular operating conditions yo...

Page 13: ...the engine by placing your finger over the exhaust outlet for a few seconds while turning the engine over with either a starter box or pull start depending on your engine model this will pressurize th...

Page 14: ...s procedure if you experience difficulty starting your engine during the initial start up and first 2 3 tanks of fuel After the first few tanks of fuel the engine should be broken in sufficiently and...

Page 15: ...to rise This is normal since nitro is the primary power producing ingredient in the fuel s chemistry As the temperature increases so does the expansion of the piston and cylinder sleeve As described...

Page 16: ...with an interference fit or in other words the sleeve is actually tapered so that the piston is pinched at TDC top dead center when the piston reaches the top of its stroke Since ABC engines don t ha...

Page 17: ...y begin dialing in the high speed needle valve for maximum RPM performance during the first tank of fuel see more detailed information on setting the needles in the SETTING THE NEEDLE VALVES FOR OPTIM...

Page 18: ...after the engine has been brought up to normal operating temperature this is accomplished by running the vehicle for a minute or so IMPORTANT The needle valve settings will vary from day to day depend...

Page 19: ...s High speed needle 3 1 4 to 3 1 2 turns counter clockwise CCW out from closed Low speed needle see illustration 1 approximately 2 1 4 to 2 1 2 turns CCW Idle adjustment throttle stop should be set so...

Page 20: ...hrottle Sluggish acceleration with excessive blue smoke coming from the exhaust Excessive unburned fuel exiting exhaust 4 Signs of overly lean mixture Sagging and or erratic engine response Sudden los...

Page 21: ...ine rpm This setting is a personal preference adjustment we like to set ours so that the engine idles just below clutch engagement ENGINE MAINTENANCE Proper care is necessary for maintaining engine lo...

Page 22: ...e frequency of plug changes will vary depending on products and operating conditions Some of these include Glow plug brand Needle valve settings Weather conditions Checking the Glow Plug s Condition U...

Page 23: ...pose it s a hygroscopic agent it attracts rust producing moisture For stubborn dirt and grime an old toothbrush will help Be careful not to allow any dirt or grime to be washed into the engine through...

Page 24: ...property if not handled properly Use caution and exercise courtesy when operating your vehicle around people and property Children should ALWAYS be under adult supervision when operating nitro powered...

Page 25: ...ormal wear are not covered under warranty Any warranty repairs will be at the discretion of Fantom upon inspection of the engine Any modifications to the engine will void all of this warranty If it is...

Page 26: ...sold separately FAN10414 21 27 Gasket Set FAN10415 21 Head Shim pack of 3 FAN10416 21 27 Exhaust Header Seal pack of 2 FAN10418 21 27 Replacement Head Bolts pack of 6 FAN10419 21 27 Rear Plate SHC Sc...

Page 27: ...REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST CONT FAN10406 21 27 Pull Start Assembly FAN10407 21 27 Pull Start One Way Bearing FAN10408 21 27 Pull Start One Way Bearing Shaft FAN10409 21 27 Rear Plate for Pull Start FAN10...

Page 28: ...High Speed Needle Assembly with Gasket FAN10425 21 27 Low Speed Needle Assembly FAN10426 21 27 Idle Screw with O Ring FAN10427 21 27 Carburetor Securing Pin with Washer Nut FAN10428 21 27 Fuel Inlet N...

Page 29: ...FR21 FR27 MANUAL ADDENDUM EXTREMELY IMPORTANT READ BEFORE STARTING ENGINE WWW FANTOMRACING COM...

Page 30: ...est way to tell if you have a 2004 or 2005 model FR21 or FR27 is to look at the crankcase nose area around the crankshaft bearing 2005 models are machined in this area from the front edge to approxima...

Page 31: ...et standard glow plug is O Donnell 100 part ODO100 FAN10603 FR21 FR27 standard glow plug for off road applications common aftermarket standard glow plug is O Donnell 99 part ODO99 BASELINE NEEDLE SETT...

Page 32: ...of the rings to create compression in the combustion chamber The most critical aspect of a model nitro engine is compression because without it an engine will not run properly and is nearly impossible...

Page 33: ...r responsibility to operate your engine properly to obtain the longest usable life possible WARNING Do not let the engine sit and idle for its break in Proper operating temperatures will not be obtain...

Page 34: ...nd sleeve usually causing improper and or greater piston and sleeve clearance causing combustion blow by loss of compression Also by changing nitro and or oil contents all needle settings will require...

Page 35: ...an1 8 turn As you lean the needle each tank you should notice that the engine s temperature and performance will also increase Once you are ready for the 5th tank of fuel ideally your Main needle shou...

Page 36: ...ng from the pipe and noting its power and acceleration characteristics while driving Once you learn your engine s operating characteristics a temperature gun can be very useful in referencing operatin...

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