I think one of the greatest things that happened with the purchase of my Slash Adventure is I got over my fear of carburetors. I am afraid of them because they do strange things man. They just sit there and mix fuel and air like some sort of mad scientist. I fear that Frankenstein is going to walk out of the engine and hunt me turning my Slash nitro into a slasher film. Okay, maybe not, but carberateurs do weird magic.

So, I exaggerate. I exaaaaaggerate a lot! However, I will grant that setting up a nitro car is very tricky compared to an electric car. An electric car you can plug into a computer or the Hobby Wing tuning card. (I get a few clams, and review is coming on it!) Then you just put into LIPO, cut off, forward reverse, and BOOM you are ready to go! It is very easy and convenient.

Nitro is not as easy as electric (That part is true) Turning a carb is a bit of pain, but it is a fun pain once you channel your inner fuel injection. I found that it really helped to just keep saying, “I am the fuel injection…. mMMMmMMM…. I am the fuel injection.” Or I might deserve the Joe Isuzu warning. Honestly, the tuning process is more trial and error while watching the exhaust emit liquid or smoke. You have to be the brain of the car. Who knew that Lightning McQueen was onto something? “Speed…. I am speed….. “ Or “fuel mixing… I am the fuel mixing.”

I am not lying about the tuning part. That is way more challenging than tuning an electric car!

Too much smoke?

If you notice that there is too much smoke and bogging out then the mixture is too rich. You dial it back an hour or less in your High-Speed Needle Adjustment. Think of the millenial proof clock (sorry had to say it) you know the clock with the numbers and hands rather than those digital numbers?

If you think of a clock being on the top of the carb, the needle slots are facing hour numbers. You picture the clock and turn that needle counterclockwise (open it/richen it/more fuel to burn) or clockwise (close it/lean it/less fuel to burn) only one hour at a time. The image to the right has the different settings you can use. There is a PDF file you can download if you click the image or click here.

Just think of opening or closing a faucet. I discovered that slight adjustments make all the difference so no need to crank away. You can also print out one of my break-in sheets and write down the stock settings. I was told the standard is in and four turns out. Remember, these are full turns and not half turns. You have to commit to the hokey pokey. When you shake it all about…. well it is not a half shake, but a shake and a turnaround. So, turn that screw like you mean it! Full turn!

If there is no smoke at all then you are too lean. You do not want this scenario. The reason: the fuel cools the motor. On a cold day it may not be a huge deal, but on a hot day…. well, the results can be catastrophic. I find that it is helpful to be able to check the engine temp. You will want to pick up an infrared temperature gauge. (I get clams at Amazon.). I have one like this at Amain or this one at Tower looks pretty cool. Personally, I like going cheaper as they all probably have the same internals. If they have the same internals anyway then I don’t feel so bad when I run it over, lose it, or who knows what. Channeling Chris Farley’s “Son ofa…” after back up over a tool.

If you want to watch a video on the topic I found the video below very helpful. I did not produce this video, but in my quest to be YouTube certified, this is one of the videos that gave me the authority to spout off about things I don’t fully understand. Unfortunately, the author did not give me a YouTube certificate, but the creator should get one because he does a good job of explaining things.

Thank you again for reading my blog. My plan was to play with the Slash this week and let you know where it sits as a Paulie’s Pick. However, you can see that I had a little accident. More on that next week! I leave you with some pics below. Until we meet again may the Lord’s blessing and peace be upon you.