Pre Heat Run In

[Matty13]

G'day guys, I am reading lots about running in, methods, temps, a dash of voodoo etc. Needing some advice on what type of heat gun I should have, temperature I should have prior to cranking. Cheers

[STSDriver]

I typically start mine 230-240°F at the plug and 150°F on the side of the crankcase. Any basic heat gun will work. I use a $40 Wagner, nothing fancy. In fact, you really don't need that much power. You can easily get the head too hot too fast and not have the case/rest of the engine warm yet. You have to use a lower setting/slower speed.


I am not a fan of Competition Heaters. They are the opposite, they take too long. Might be better for a basher, but when the race director yells "10mins to nitro buggy" the competition heater will never get the engine warm enough.

[ss3000]

Unless you're racing, and maybe even then, I don't see a real need for heating an engine prior to start. It's not like a nitro takes that long to warm up. For bashing I wouldn't it at all. I can't imagine it helps too much and could actually cause damage over time. Heating the engine with a heat gun is only heating the case, I doubt much of the heat would actually be getting to the sleeve and piston. The engine warms itself from inside out not inside in. This would also be the reason heating mats work slowly. They gradually warm the whole motor, this would allow heat to transfer through the motor more evenly.