any recommendations on covering up the side covers on clone motors? I hear and see different things. Most People duct tape all but three of the vents on the side cover. why is this? is it safe to this on a longer race or should it be left open?
I recommend you try taping all but three of the vents, being that's what you see most people do. You won't know if it will cause you problems on a longer race unless you try it and it causes you problems. Sometimes to gain experience, it will cost you some cash or racing positions. Yep I know you asked so you don't have to learn the hard way, but sometimes with some things racing you have to learn the hard way. Frankly, I don't think in this case doing what everyone else does will hurt anything. But it's still your nickel and your decision. ...
People tape up the side cover in the belief the engine cylinder head temp must be up to a certain temperature, for the fuel to burn better and make more power. They also tape up the side cover because it can be a monkey see monkey do, sort of thing. They also tape up the side cover because someone said to do it, for various reasons.
If your asking if you should do it, the answer is yes try it. If you think it helps you did good. If it doesn't hurt anything, then it's ok too. If you think it hurt something, then quit doing it. If everyone at your track does it, everyone will continue to do it until someone who does not, starts kicking butt.
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Weather your learning about tape or the EGT, it's all about making an effort to make the engine run better. The only real way you know your engine runs better or at least good enough>> is to win.
The EGT information you got along with tape answers, is about knowing if your engine is running as well as it can, on the carburetor you have installed.
Your a racer. What ever carb you have on the engine you want it to work as well as it can. The EGT method of setting your air fuel mixture will do that for you. Beyond that all you can do is put a better carb on and again use the EGT to set your fuel mixture.
On a side note.
There are only two things which will make heat in an engine, they are making hp and abuse.
I just thought of a question in light of making hp and abuse. If I assume burning more fuel in the most efficient way will make more hp, has anyone with an EGT on a clone, ever found out via fuel setting if they can burn more fuel with the side cover taped?
I would think if you went out with the side cover not taped and set the fuel mixture via your EGT, and then taped it ... would you be able to make it run richer with it taped? My thinking is if your mixture setting was normally a little richer with it taped, you probably are making more hp. or... is my thinking not correct?