Summary of Contents for Fantom FR21
- Page 1 50201 SILVER STREET VICKSBURG, MI 49097 PH. 269-649-9583 FAX 269-649-9584 WWW.FANTOMRACING.COM...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
FANTOM® FR21 / FR27 Thank you for purchasing a Fantom® FR21 or FR27 Racing Engine. Your new engine has been developed to provide superior performance and longevity for both racing and sport applications. To attain the maximum enjoyment from your new engine, even if you have prior experience with engines, please review the following information –... - Page 4 REMOVING THE OLD ENGINE (If Applicable) 1. If your new Fantom engine is replacing an existing engine, you will need to remove your old engine from the vehicle, following your vehicle’s instruction manual. If this is a new installation, please refer to this manual for installation instructions. You may also want to refer to your vehicle’s instruction manual for any special instructions not covered in this manual.
- Page 5 1. Remove the glow plug and install the piston stop (clutch) tool. 2. Install your clutch parts onto your Fantom engine in the reverse order of their removal from the stock engine. If you are installing a new clutch, follow the instructions that came with the clutch. Before installing the clutch nut, apply a small drop of thread lock to the clean shaft threads;...
- Page 6 Besides, they sound “killer” – a much raspier tone – not to mention the cool appearance. Your Fantom dealer has these in stock or they can order one for you from one of our distributors. They are available in natural team finish (part #FAN20014 single stage or FAN20016 dual stage) or shiny nickel finish (part #FAN20015 single stage or FAN20017 dual stage).
- Page 7 13. Install the air filter (sold separately). Make sure to oil the air filter. Use quality air filter treatment oil such as our Fantom Filter Fluid™ / Filter Wash™ kit (part # FAN20111). Use a small tie strap to hold the air filter housing to the carburetor; these are available from your local dealer or hardware store.
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Page 8: Operational Guidelines
– both can damage an ABC-type engine. Depending on the operating conditions (e.g., weather conditions, altitude, surface you are running on, fuel type, etc.), we have found that the FR21 and FR27 cylinder head temperatures (taken with a temperature gun; aiming down inside at the glow plug area of the cylinder head) will generally range between 220º and 290º F;... - Page 9 IMPORTANT: Pinch-zone wear, resulting in loss of compression, is NOT covered by warranty. We have no control over what brand of fuel you use, and/or the way you operate your engine. Your FR21 or FR27 is built using the latest ABC technology, and will last just as long as any other brand of ABC type engine, as long as it is used in accordance with this instruction manual, therefore it is your responsibility to operate your engine properly, to obtain the longest usable life possible.
- Page 10 • Lower oil content and/or lower nitro content require leaner needle settings. • Higher oil content and/or higher nitro content require richer needle settings. • High oil content and/or low nitro content fuels are generally better for engine longevity. • Low oil content and/or high nitro content fuels provide better engine performance, but reduce its longevity.
- Page 11 IMPORTANT: In cold weather conditions (e.g., winter months and/or certain regions in the world) the outdoor temperature may make your engine run too cool. Remember, your FR21 or FR27 is designed to run best between 220º and 290º F, however, DO NOT lean the main needle to achieve these temperatures.
- Page 12 DO NOT overly richen the main needle to reduce you engine’s temperature in these conditions. The engine’s design is such that the engine will run at these temperatures in typical weather conditions that R/C vehicles are operated in (e.g., 55º to 90º). In hotter weather conditions you may see higher than typical engine temperatures, but don’t be alarmed, as long as your engine is tuned properly.
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Page 13: Operational Guidelines
STARTING YOUR ENGINE FOR THE FIRST TIME First, fill your fuel tank with a high quality hobby fuel, such as Fantom SC20 / SC30 Performance Blend or SC20R / SC30R Racing Blend Fuel. Typically, most people use 30% nitro content fuel in .21-.27 size engines to gain extra horsepower for the heavier vehicles that these size engines are commonly installed in. -
Page 14: Starting Your Engine
A low charged igniter will make a glow plug glow, and a bad glow plug will still glow sometimes, but this does not guarantee that either is operating at 100%. We have found that the most common reasons for engine starting failures are due to bad glow plugs and/or igniter problems. -
Page 15: Break-In (Heat Cycling
Here’s how to perform the job correctly: 1. Decide on a fuel (nitro and oil content). Your Fantom engine is designed to run best with at least 20% nitro, but no more than 30% nitro content. If you like a more “drivable” engine, choose 20%; if you like a lot of horsepower choose 30%. As previously mentioned, most people choose 30% nitro with .21-.27 size engines. - Page 16 Our principles are based on common laws of physics, so our break-in process should make more sense once you read the rest of this paragraph. In simple terms, your Fantom engine is a true ABC type engine, which means that there is a high silicon content aluminum alloy piston running inside of a brass sleeve that is plated with hard chrome plating.
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Page 17: Needle Valves
The sleeve will start expanding to the proper design parameters at approximately 205 degrees F., however, this does not mean that this is the normal operating temperature; it only means that you need to always get your engine up to at least this temperature as quickly as possible after the engine is started. -
Page 18: Needle Valves
5. Continue this process for 4 tanks of fuel; this heat-cycles all the metal parts inside your engine. IMPORTANT: Do not let the engine sit and idle for its break-in. The piston and cylinder-sleeve will not get hot enough to expand properly, and the critical pinch-fit will disappear before you know it. - Page 19 • Hard packed dirt. • 80º F (air temperature). • Low humidity (60%) • Using Fantom SC30 Fuel (30% nitro / 12% oil) NOTE: Your baseline settings may differ slightly from ours. High-Speed Needle Valve 1. Start with the high-speed (main) needle valve. This needle controls the amount of fuel allowed to pass through the carburetor at all times.
- Page 20 IMPORTANT: Leaning the main needle too much may result in higher obtained RPM and power, but may starve the engine of lubrication. Be careful not to over-lean the engine, once you get close to optimal performance. A step too lean can result in permanent piston and cylinder-sleeve damage very quickly.
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Page 21: Engine Maintenance
Proper care is necessary for maintaining engine longevity, reliability, and maximum performance. We have no control over how you operate your engine, so it is your responsibility to maintain the proper care for your engine. Fantom is not responsible for engine problems related to improper use or care of your engine. - Page 22 (oxygen) allows more fuel flow; in the proper proportion with air, increased fuel flow equals more horsepower. We recommend using high quality air filter oil, such as our Fantom Filter Fluid™ / Filter Wash™ maintenance kit (part # F20111) for the ultimate air filter care.
- Page 23 Rebuilding All engines have a life span, no matter what brand. Your Fantom engine is constructed using the latest ABC type technology, and will last just as long as any other ABC-type engine – as long as the proper care is taken. When the time comes to rebuild your engine, this manual provides exploded views of the engine and carburetor, as well as a part number list for all the available replacement parts;...
- Page 24 For extended periods of storage, we recommend disassembling the engine and generously coating all the internal parts of the engine with a high quality lubricant. Again, our Fantom Rip Saver lubricant (part # FAN20110) works great for this. After coating all the internal parts, reassemble the engine.
- Page 25 • The cost of shipping the engine to Fantom, and shipping charges back to the customer from Fantom for non-warranty repairs are the responsibility of the customer. Fantom will cover only shipping charges back to the customer for warranty repair returns.
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Page 26: Fr 21/27 Replacement Parts
FR 21/27 REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST FAN10418 FAN01030 FR21 - .21 Rear Exhaust , Slide Carburetor, SG Crank FAN01031 FR21 - .21 Rear Exhaust , Slide Carburetor, SG Crank, Pull Start FAN01040 FR27 - .27 Rear Exhaust , Slide Carburetor, SG Crank OPTIONAL FAN10422 FAN01041 FR27 - .27 Rear Exhaust , Slide Carburetor, SG Crank, Pull Start... -
Page 27: Fr 21/27 Replacement Parts
FR 21/27 REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST CONT. FAN10406 .21 / .27 Pull Start Assembly FAN10407 .21 / .27 Pull Start One-Way Bearing FAN10408 .21 / .27 Pull Start One-Way Bearing Shaft FAN10409 .21 / .27 Rear Plate for Pull Start FAN10417 .21 / .27 Rear Plate Screws for Pull Start (pack of 4) FAN10420 .21 / .27 Pull Start Assembly Screws (pack of 4) FAN10409 FAN10414... -
Page 28: Fr 21/27 Replacement Parts
FR 21/27 REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST CONT. FAN10414 .21 / .27 Gasket Set FAN10423 .21 / .27 Competition Slide Carburetor FAN10424 .21 / .27 High Speed Needle Assembly with Gasket FAN10425 .21 / .27 Low Speed Needle Assembly FAN10426 .21 / .27 Idle Screw with O-Ring FAN10427 .21 / .27 Carburetor Securing Pin with Washer &... - Page 29 FR21 / FR27 MANUAL ADDENDUM EXTREMELY IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE STARTING ENGINE WWW.FANTOMRACING.COM...
- Page 30 ’05 piston/sleeve sets and ’05 crankshaft MUST be used together. NOTE: The easiest way to tell if you have a 2004 or 2005 model FR21 or FR27 is to look at the crankcase nose area, around the crankshaft bearing. 2005 models are machined in this area, from the front edge to approximately 1/8 inch back, with the natural aluminum showing through.
- Page 31 If you prefer to use a standard type glow plug, you can obtain our standard head buttons sold separately (part#FAN10439 for FR21 and FAN10441 for FR27). We recommend using the following glow plugs if you convert to a standard head button: •...
- Page 32 Your new Fantom engine is built using the latest ABC technology (Aluminum piston - Brass sleeve - Chrome plated inner sleeve wall). All ABC engines are designed with a tapered sleeve, so that the piston is pinched at the top of the piston stroke, known as Top-Dead-Center.
- Page 33 WARNING: Pinch-zone wear, resulting in loss of compression, is NOT covered by warranty. We have no control over what brand of fuel you use, and/or the way you tune and operate your engine. Your Fantom engine is built using the latest ABC technology, and will last just as long as any other brand of ABC type engine, as long as it is used in accordance with this instruction manual, therefore it is your responsibility to operate your engine properly, to obtain the longest usable life possible.
- Page 34 Here’s how to perform the break-in procedure correctly: 1.Decide on a fuel brand and type of blend (nitro and oil content) that you want to use. WARNING: Whichever type of fuel that you choose, use the same fuel for break-in and everyday operation, for the life of the engine, especially the nitro content.
- Page 35 3.Once you have cleaned out your engine, following the “tuning tip” above, place the vehicle on the ground and begin driving it around while cycling the throttle between 1/4 and wide open, while you or your helper periodically check the engine’s temperature and make adjustments to the Main needle (if necessary) during quick pit stops.
- Page 36 (e.g., weather conditions, altitude, surface you are running on, fuel type, etc.), you should find that the FR21 and FR27 cylinder head temperatures (taken with a temperature gun; aiming down inside at the glow plug area of the cylinder head) will generally range between 220º...
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