K&B 3.5 SS set-up

[poolschool]

Hi Guys,

I finally managed to get my Villain S1 into the water along with a brand new K&B 3.5SS on the back. I managed to get it running OK and the trim and handling seem to be quite good - nice flat ride - in general a good attitude.



Of course there are always some questions that I know you guys know alot more about so here goes.

In live in Australia on the coast (sea level) - the K&B manual states 6 1/2 turns out on the needle - My motor won't even fire at this rich setting - at 4 1/2 turms out raw fuel spits out of the exhaust and carb - still too rich? - runs quite rough

Fuel is 25% nitro.

Turn the needle in further and not too bad at 3 1/2 turns out. Ok - in the water - goes fine along the straight at full throttle - although I think it could go faster, get to the turn and starts to die and almost stall unless I take the throttle right off, then without increasing throttle starts to scream again ????

Prop setting is level with rear of sponson - prather 215 prop, all fuel lines don't appear to be binding and starving engine of fuel and throttle cable is secure and doesn't close off barrel in the turns.

Gold air cooled head you could probably fry your breakfast on it.

All seems strange to me as if I try to richen the mixture it won't run.

Guys in Aus, are the needle settings different in Aus than in the States?

Probably asked alot of dumb questions but it's a mystery to me.

Thanks

Gino :blink:

 

[Jerry Dunlap]

Just my opinion, but I think a Prather 215 is a pretty "strong" prop. I much prefer an Octura X440.

I ran the prop on my Villian about 3/16" above the bottom of the sponson.

Also, if your engine is new, it might take some time for it to break in and run with power.

JD

 

[poolschool]

Here's a couple of shots

 

[Jerry Dunlap]

Yup, it sure looks like a Villian. Nice job!! Mine had a yellow cowl, but the hull was cleared.

Also, you didn't mention the % of nitro you were running. The K&B 3.5ss likes the nitro. I race mine with 65%.

JD

 

[Jerry Wyss]

Poolschool, Nuthin' was mentioned about the plug heat range. I hear alota guys

runnin' McCoy 8s and 9s in there 21s and man I don't know how they get away

with that. My modded Thunder Tigers really came to life when I switched to

K&B 1L plugs many years ago. Could explain why it won't start with a rich

setting,,6 1/2 turns is Really Rich in my way of thinking. That and make sure

you have a hot glow plug Battery,,I have used as much as 3 volts to start an engine with an extreme rich start up setting. I'm not familiar with air cooled

boat engines,,but "fryin' eggs" is a little hot in my way of thinking,,but again

I don't really know.

Thats a nice color on your boat,,do you know what it is??

I would vote on a hotter plug and get several if you can

 

[Slideblues]

Pool, I dont know why the instructions say to run that needle setting NONE of my K&B's EVER ran that rich.

For my SS or any for that matter 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 turns out ran great, you set them blubbery on tha stand so they dont lean out from the heat spike on tha water.

I used 60% so I'll ditto what JD said, Ya might try at least 50%.

Im sure Mike Z might have a few tips too for ya,

Very nice lookin build up

Gene

 

[GTR]

Hi Gino,

Nice looking boat. I would agree with JD Prather 215 is a bit stout for 25% Nitro.

X440 good place to start. 3.5 to 4 turns out on the needle. Yes the gold heads get hot - but not as hot as you think. I noticed your Villian looks very wet - check the angle of the engine to make sure its not tucked under. My Villian (when I get to run it) runs quite loose on the water. Have some fun and would be good to catch up over Xmas.

 

[not2bright]

with lower nitro % you will run have to turn the needle further in. so basicly get some 50%

 

[Mike Larson]

Yo Gino! i run the ss motors on my villians...... in my opinion (there are some serious tunnel gurus posted already, so, you can sort things out at your will) im thinkin you have the prop "buried " (too deep) causing the ss to heat up and bringin on the lean out conditions.... raise it up like jerry stated, one change at a time.... the ss has the hp... i push x640 with mine, cut down the dia. to 38mm the air cooled part of the motor can suck as they go lean easy, and its a balancing act when race conditions vary... the motor should make your villian rock! im runnin 45%, stock motors, usually (once you achieve the sweet spot ie;height, prop, angle) youll have a reliable boat, for sure, one more thought.... whats the plug lookin like? ive shimmed the heads on a couple of ss, seems each one is different..... if its hurting plugs.. with heat... relieve the compression a little until it gets older... youll be happy ya did..... later.... mike

 

[Grimracer]

Good advice from all from what i read.

As GTR noted the boat does look wet.. Running to stuck to the water. The 215 should get you close even on the 25% nitro. However if the boat is stuck to the water to hard it will bog the motor and make it heat up. I would also take the motor up..maybe 4mm to start then maybe 1mm higher until the boat is freed up.

give the motor some run time at a rich setting. dont get the motor to lean at first..also i do think its summer for you.. Maybe 95 deg (65C?).. the SS will run in this but the setting will be touchy.

The air is very different in OZ then in the states....we have spent time with some of the racers from Australia and trust me its got to be the air.. :blink: KIDDING….

Grim

 

[TimD]

Gino,

Bring it up to a club day at Penrith and I'll give you a hand with it. I have a few props you can try also. The new pond is awesome for tunnel hulls. Makes me wish I still had mine

Tim.

 

[Jerry Wyss]

Gawd, that Gino guy looks like Elvis <_<

 

[Kris Flynn]

Gary,

Been meaning to call you...and i will tonight (monday) regarding catching up over Xmas New Year

Maybe Gino could come over also

Kris

 

[cjm102]

Hi gino

I'm having problems with my water-cooled K&B 3.5 as well. Randomly stalling and stuff. I just can't tune it correctly.

We should go boating sometime.

Cheers

Chris

 

[waterbug]

Gino

I have had this same discussion with a well known engine Guru... His addvise was if I want to run a SS to be prepared to use a third channel needle... He addvised getting the cheapest KB I could find and that it could be made to out run any SS to date... I have no reason to dought him....

I am sure I will get blasted for saying this but I have my" Flack Jacket " on...!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: Heck if GrimRacer is running a SS then they must be OK...He has plenty of experience with KB's... Yes I'm a suck up..!!!!

 

[aamick1971]

gino,

hi gino! i love my k&b ss and have not had that many problems with it expecet for normal wear and tear.i all so am turning a prather s-215 ,but i also run 60% nitro in it and use mc's 9's in it.it also has an irwin quiet pipe,and lawless lower unit. i dont have any problems running down mac motors and a few others!

thanks,

allen

 

[poolschool]

Hi Guys,

thankyou for the many replies and suggestions - very helpful as always

I have taken on board what you guys have suggested and have done the following

prop : octura 440/3

fuel : 50%

motor height : 3/16 inch above sponson

engine angle : 0.5 degree negative

glow plugs : K&B HP's - wouldn't have a clue what came in the motor but it did have an idle bar????

Maybe too many changes at once - see how we go!

Jerry W : not sure on the colour as the guy who sprayed it had it left over - however I will find out for you when I catch up with him

Tim D : thanks mate, I'll take your offer up and I'll see you this Sunday - weather permitting

Gary and Kris : would be great to catch up with you guys over Xmas - new year - any runs down in Canberra soon?

Chris (cjm102) : I intend to run down at Berkley between now and Sunday (and after for that matter) If you want to run tunnels drop me an e-mail.

Also, thanks guys for the compliments on the boat.

Gino <_<

 

[Jerry Dunlap]

re: X440/3

Don't know of many guys running this prop on their 3.5 tunnels.

JD

 

[Lake S.P.O.R.T.]

Hey Gino, for what it is worth I ran an SS all this year on 50% fuel, an mc9 plug, .012 head and a X440 two blade. Motor was strong, easy to needle and always finished. I tried the X440/3 on my boat and it created too much lift....total lift, not just transom lift.

Mark

 

[TimD]

Gino,

See you there - better to be there earlier in the morning if possible - I'll be there from 8am. Go in Gate D.