agreed temps are a good guideline for sure
on Nova N21BF Limited with the stock head, it wouldnt run good until the 240-250 range but then the carb started to vapor lock
215-230 ran ok but not much power
even at the 250 range there was a ton of smoke so the protection was there but vapor locking a carb isnt very fun

i have since changed out to a larger cooling head
replacing front bearing also since it was leaking
i think it will be a pretty decent club motor though
once the bearing is in it

Saturday night at the TN Pro Series race I pitted at the 9 minute mark with the 121vr. It ran from 245- 255 degrees in quals and main.

i have never ran a nova, so i have no idea.... and every motor has its own quirks lol.

I ran the 121vr in my rc8t with a 16t clutchbell and the stock spur and WOW! that thing was wicked. It still had crazy bottom end, but it felt a little lean in the bottom and rich on top... she came off at 220 after about 25 minutes(had a screw come out of my rear upper link). I have about a gallon on the motor now and it seems to just get better

Im not too impressed so far with this motor. The front bearing on mine is leaking terribly after a 1/2 gallon of run time. Runs pretty good, just very inconsistent. Even before the bearing started leaking. Also my friend had the insert in the crank come out and ruin the motor.

Finally got my Reedy to run with out the bottom end lean bog (take your time with the carb) I was running on an extremely wide open track, very little jumps, longs straits, on the gas alot. We were temping right around 260 at the end of the 30min main, and still felt a little rich. I was lucky to get 7min on a tank, but think the track layout had a little bit to do with milage.

As Turner said above, I to am noticing quite a bit of seaping from the front bearing, but not quite enough that I was concerned. I plan on replacing both bearings after I get a full gallon through (at about 3/4 right now).

I have about 3 gallons through my Reedy so far and I don't have any bearing leaks or anything like that. I've noticed that this engine does have a small window for an optimal tune and runs a bit hotter than some other engines. I was running P3 and P4 plugs, but I'm going to try a 97T this weekend. I'm also planning on changing the bearings and rod in another gallon as a precaution.

I also have tried a few different pipes and like the RE11 the best so far. It really brought the top end of the engine alive as opposed to the 2035 and 2053. I'm getting about 8 minutes 30 seconds out of a tank. I'm still not 100% in love with this engine, but for the money, it has been good so far.

front bearings will sometimes seep oil when the motor is running to rich. How bad is it, how much oil are you seeing?

If anyone has any problems with their engine - bad bearings, crank insert falling out, whatever - be sure to contact AE customer service and you will be taken care of. If they don't treat you right, you can PM me and I will take care of it.

Its alot more than Ive seen before, on any engine. My extech I had the bearing didnt start leaking until 3 gallons. And that still wasnt as much as I saw saturday. Not rich at all, lean if anything. Came off the track at 160F on Sat. I barely got 7 min on a tank also. Im using the 053mr though. Thats all i have.

Hi there, I don't want to sound like I'm questioning your judgement, but if it's only running 160, you are rich, and if it only gets 7 minutes, again, you are rich, and if you run rich for extended periods of time, the front bearing will leak.

I would think 160F is pretty rich and could be why the front bearing is leaking a little.

Lol, sorry Brandon beat me to it!

+1 on that ...

I assume 160 was a typo yes? Did you mean 260? I'd be surprised if that thing moved under it's own power at 160!

Haha yes that was a typo. I thought it sounded weird when I did it but didnt catch it. 260F. Final answer. The engine wont do anything for me under 230.

Oops