I just got a keep on..the engines runs fine, but the temps ive been getting seem a bit high. The engine is still a bit fat, blowing tons of smoke, but temping at 260. I'm running .4 head shimming, #6 plug, and 20% nitro.

I am wondering what kind of regular temps you guys are getting 280-290? I am wondering if the design of the head is what's giving me higher readings?

Any info would be great.

I have the same issue. It doesn't run right unless it's 280+ and it's still blowing a lot of smoke. I stopped trying to get it below 280 and have been running it where it feels good.

The first time out with my .12 capricorn engine I was running in the 280-290's with blue smoke and a little over 5min run time. I talked to some guys, and they say the same thing, run it as long as you have blue smoke throughout the powerband. Just make sure you check your bearings often.

I did add an extra head shim, temps went down and run time went up slightly.

To both you guys, are your engines completely broke in? I've had several Novas run pretty hot, but blowing a good smoke trail. Then, all of a sudden they fell flat and had to be retuned and ran around 220-230. That includes my current mill that has over 4 gallons on it. Just a thought....

Define broken in? I don't even know what that means anymore. It had a gallon on the bench and a gallon run through it on the track. If it's not broken it, I'm going to run it hot until it is.

on the new low profile heads, being used on the novas a temps in the 290 range is not bad , the design allows the temp to be taken lower and closer to the glow plug so it will read higher , as long as there is smoke off the corners when you get back on the gas it should be good

I was waiting for others to chime in but thanks for the info and making me comfortable with that temp range.

Mine runs around 280-290 in the FL summer and doesn't have any problem. If i richen it up and hr it loses its punch and never gets into 2nd (even though the 2 speed is correct). Also, i was able to make 6min30sec run time on a single tank of fuel, no chatter and was not lean at all. Has anyone else seen good run time with a single tank?

Just over six from full to smoke but that was during a time trial run, not during a race.