STUCK SLEEVE

Radio Control Car Action, Apr 2004 by Vieira, Peter

Q I replaced my Kyosho V-One S's stock engine with an O.S. CV last summer, and after putting a lot of fuel through it, I think it's ready for a rebuild. This will be my first time rebuilding an engine, and I'm confident I can do the job as far as understanding what I'm doing, but I'm already stuck. Or I should say, the sleeve is stuck. I can't pull it out with my fingers, and I'm afraid to use tools on it because it's brass and I don't want to damage it. Heating the engine in an oven has been suggested, but it seems as if there should be an easier way. How do I get it out? [email]

Carl Supan

A As with so many things in life, the answer is "zip-ties." Here's what to do:

1. Remove the heat-sink head (you've probably already done that, right?).

2. Rotate the flywheel to bring the piston to bottom dead center.

3. Lower the locking-nub end of a small zip-tie into the sleeve, then hook it into the sleeve's exhaust port. If the nub is too big, just cut it in half.

4. Now, just let the piston do the work. Crank the flywheel to bring the piston to top dead center. It will jam against the zip-tie on the way up, and that will push the sleeve out of the block. The soft plastic won't mar the piston or sleeve. Cool, eh?

As you disassemble your engine, pay close attention to the orientation of the internal parts. The sleeve will be indexed to the case, but the connecting rod, piston and backplate can be installed in more than one position -but only one is correct. Making notes is the best bet, but when in doubt, remember that the flat spot on the backplate faces up; the little hole above the "big end" of the conrod should face the crank bearings; and if there's a cutout in the piston, it usually faces the back of the engine.