TEAM ASSOCIATED
Engine
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
The first start-up of your engine is the most critical moment of the engine’s life, dictating
how it will perform from this time forward.
Step 1 Oiling the filter.
The air filter is essential for keeping dirt out of the
engine. The air foam filter must be oiled before run-
ning the engine. We recommend using Associated
#7710 foam pre-filter treatment. Dab the treatment all
around the filter, put the filter in a plastic bag and
knead it until the filter is saturated, but not soaked.
Never run your vehicle without the air filter.
Step 2 Setting the high-speed mixture.
The high-speed mixture screw controls how much fuel
enters the engine during mid- to high-speed opera-
tion. Screw the high-speed mixture screw clockwise,
until it bottoms out. DO NOT over tighten. Now turn
the mixture screw counter-clockwise 2 1/2 turns.
Step 3 Setting the low speed.
This screw meters the fuel at low speeds. The low-
speed mixture screw is located in the end of the car-
buretor, inside the throttle arm. This screw controls
how much fuel enters the engine at idle and low throttle.
This adjustment will smooth the idle and improve the
acceleration to mid speed. Make this adjustment with
the throttle closed, after setting the idle. Turn the screw
clockwise gently until it bottoms out. DO NOT over
tighten. Now turn the low-speed mixture screw counter-
clockwise 2 to 2 1/2 turns.
Step 4 Setting the idle speed.
The idle screw regulates the throttle opening to control
the idle speed. The throttle opening at idle should be
set as shown in the picture below. Turn the screw until
the throttle opening inside the throttle valve is 1/32”.
The idle speed may need to be readjusted after the
engine is warm.
Step 5 Putting fuel in the fuel tank.
Squeeze the fuel bottle, put the bottle’s tube into your fuel container, and draw out some
fuel. Lift up the lid on the fuel tank, and slowly squeeze the fuel bottle until the tank is full.
Be careful here. If you overflow the tank it might get on your radio gear or on your brakes
and you may create an unsafe driving situation. Always keep your fuel bottle closed
when not in use.
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Step 1
To STOP the engine, pinch and hold the carburetor’s fuel line while running at idle
speed. DO NOT shut off the engine by placing you finger over the exhaust pipe. Another
way is to push a piece of wood (or plastic handle of a tool) firmly against the flywheel
underneath the vehicle.
Step 2
Turn on your radio system and attach a glow starter to the glow plug.
Step 3
Start the non pull start engine with your starter box or pull your pull starter if so
equipped.
If you have a pull start engine, note the following tips: Never pull the rope
out to its full length; doing so can cause damage and the rope may not retract.
Quick, short pulls of the pull start rope are the best technique to use with a pull
starter. DO NOT extend the rope more than 12” (305 mm).
Do not abruptly release the handle. Allow the cord to rewind smoothly
while still holding the handle. Pull the operating handle straight out when starting
the engine, so that the cord does not rub against the vehicle’s body or engine.
This will help prevent the cord from being damaged by abrasion or engine heat.
Try to avoid spilling fuel over the starter unit and its cord. Some fuels have a
damaging effect on these parts.
If the pull starter is very hard to pull (it will not extend out of the pull starter
assembly), the engine may be hydro-locked. Excessive fuel between the head
and the piston will not let the piston move through it’s proper range of motion. To
fix, loosen the glow plug one turn and try to start the engine. If the engine starts,
tighten the glow plug with the glow plug starter while the engine is running.
If the engine still will not start, there could be a problem with the glow plug, glow
starter or the engine could be flooded. Refer to the trouble-shooting guide later in this
manual.
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Team Associated engine. This manual contains the
instructions needed to operate and maintain your new engine. Please read this manual
completely to obtain maximum performance and reliability from your new Team Asso-
ciated engine. Pay special attention to the break-in instructions outlined in this manual.
The engine must be broken in to achieve maximum performance. Follow the directions
in this manual exactly.
Your engine manual is divided into seven parts:
PART 1 Introduction
PART 2 How to set the carburetor and start your engine
PART 3 Breaking in your engine for the first time
PART 4 Tuning your engine’s performance
PART 5 Care and maintenance
PART 6 Troubleshooting your engine
PART 7 Catalog information
Required Equipment
Glow plug starter
Model car fuel
Fuel bottle
Small Phillips head and flat head screwdriver
Spare glow plugs
Foam prefilter oil treatment
Starter box and 12 volt battery for non pull start motors
5/16 nut driver or a glow plug wrench
Glow Plug Starter
The glow plug starter is a battery powered device used to heat up
the glow plug so the motor will start up. Once the motor starts, the glow plug starter will
be removed.
Model Car Fuel
The proper fuel is very important for long engine life. Improper fuel
can cause hard starting, poor performance, and excessive wear of the components of
the engine. The fuels we recommend for R/C car use are:
O’Donnell racing fuel
Duratrax Red Alert fuel
Blue Thunder race formula
FSR fuels
Trinity
Byron’s originals
Traxxas top fuel.
There are many racing fuels available, however they must meet some requirements:
How to set the carburetor and start the engine
1
Low Speed Mixture:
1/16” of screw showing
(1.5 mm)
1/16”
High Speed Mixture:
2 1/2 turns out
Leaner
Leaner
Leaner
Leaner
Leaner
(Less Fuel)
(Less Fuel)
(Less Fuel)
(Less Fuel)
(Less Fuel)
Richer
Richer
Richer
Richer
Richer
(More Fuel)
(More Fuel)
(More Fuel)
(More Fuel)
(More Fuel)
Idle Speed:1/32” to 1/16” opening
(.8 to 1.6 mm).
Larger opening = higher idle speed.
Smaller opening = lower idle speed.
1/16 to 1/32”
2
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
1
WARNING! Your engine is not a toy!
• You will be working with highly flammable fuel, so keep it away from exposed
flames or anything which might ignite it. Read the safety info on the fuel container.
• Do not use fuels that were not designed for glow plug engines.
• Keep the fuel out of reach of children!
• Deadly carbon monoxide gas will be released, so do not operate the engine in
an enclosed area where exposed flames or sparks can ignite it, or where it causes
you to inhale it for prolonged periods.
• During operation, the engine may be dangerously hot to the touch.
• Do not use the engine for purposes other than in model cars designed for them.
• Mount the engine securely.
For your safety
Glow plug
TEAM ASSOCIATED
Engine
Glow plug starter
Fuel bottle
1. The fuel must contain both castor and synthetic
oils.
2. You should try to keep the nitro (nitromethane)
content between 10% to 20%.
The best fuels also contain rust and corrosion inhibi-
tors, anti wear agents, anti foaming agents and lubrica-
tion additives.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT use any type of
airplane fuels. Airplane fuels may not have the neces-
sary oil types and ratios needed for R/C cars.
Fuel Bottle
For conveniently filling the tank, use a
smaller bottle with a dispensing tube and cap to prevent
the fuel from evaporating or getting contaminated.
Glow Plug
The purpose of the glow plug is to ignite the
fuel in the engine. We recommend using the #MC59
McCoy glow plug.
