Thank you for choosing the K&B .18 size car engine. All K&B engines are designed for highest power output and easy tuning. All K&B engines include crankshafts supported by double ball bearings, ABC type piston, and cylinder technology, and superior quality.

There are several different variations of the K&B .18 size engines, from the standard version, which includes a standard square cylinder head, rotary carburetor, and pull start assembly, up to the racing version, which includes a machined aluminum racing cylinder head and slide style carburetor.

All K&B engines are manufactured on computerized manufacturing equipment
to ensure every engine is of exacting quality.

PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY TO
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE FEATURES AND
OPERATION OF YOUR NEW K&B ENGINE.

CAUTION

You are responsible for the safe operation of your engine, so act sensibly and with care at all times. This K&B model engine is not a toy. It is a precision-built machine whose power is capable of causing serious injury to yourself and others if abused, misused, or if you fail to observe proper safety precautions when using it.

Never use any other fuel in your engine other than glow fuels specifically designed for use in model car engines. NEVER use any other types of fuel as these can cause severe damage to the engine, or personal injury. NEVER use gasoline!

Never operate your model on any public streets, parking lots, sports fields, or sidewalks. This could cause traffic, accidents, personal injury, or property damage.

Glow engines produce exhaust gases that are poisonous and can be dangerous to your health. It is important that you operate your engine outdoors only.

Before starting the engine, make sure the throttle arm is set to the idle position. Starting the engine at any setting above idle can cause the car to launch out of your hands.

When the engine is running, there are parts that rotate at high speed. Be careful not to touch the drive belts, gears, clutch assembly, or any other moving part. Serious injury could result.

It is normal for an engine to get very hot during operation, especially the cylinder head and muffler or tuned pipe. Never touch the engine or muffler assembly during or soon after running, they could be very hot and can cause serious burns.

Model engines vibrate when they are running. Periodically check all the engine screws, mounting screws, muffler screws, and other assemblies to ensure they are tight. Running the engine with loose screws can lead to severe engine and/or chassis damage.

CARBURETOR

The carburetor is held in place using two screws. To replace the carburetor back into the engine, slide the base of the carburetor into the crankcase. Be careful to keep the carburetor perpendicular to the front of the engine. Push down on the carburetor firmly with your thumb so the base of the carburetor fits completely into the crankcase and the carburetor neck O-ring seals between the two parts. While holding the carburetor in place, install the two screws in place.

Do not over-tighten these screws. The screws only need to be tight. Over-tightening the screws can cause the threaded holes in the carburetor to stop.

BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH THE CARBURETOR

Idle Stop Screw:  The idle stop screw adjusts how far the barrel will close adjusting the speed of the idle, not the fuel mixture. We recommend that the idle stop screw be adjusted so that the carburetor barrel stays open about 1/32 of an inch. Turning the screw clockwise will cause the barrel to open, counter-clockwise will allow the barrel to close further.

MUFFLER ASSEMBLY

FUEL RECOMMENDATION

We do not recommend using fuels designed for airplane engines, as some do not contain adequate lubricants resulting in overheating and possible severe damage to the engine.

LONG PLUG RECOMMENDATION

Do not use other types of glow plugs or those intended for four-cycle airplane engines. Using the wrong glow plug will cause the engine to run poorly and make it difficult to tune.

The glow plug element should glow bright orange when connected to your 1-1/2 volt battery. If it only glows red, your battery needs replacement or charging.

BEFORE STARTING YOUR ENGINE
WARNING: Please read before starting

To remove the excess fuel from the engine, follow the steps listed below:

 BREAKING IN YOUR NEW ENGINE
HIGH and LOW SPEED ADJUSTMENTS

Low Speed:  The low speed is preset from the factory and needs no adjustment, just the idle speed is adjustable by the idle speed screw.

STARTING PROCEDURE

To make the engine easier to start it should be primed. The fuel tanks in the majority of car kits include a built-in primer pump. Press this pump several times and watch the fuel as it is pushed up to the carburetor. When the fuel reaches the carburetor, stop priming. Over-priming the engine can cause the engine to flood and "hydraulic lock". This is a result of too much fuel in the engine. The piston cannot compress the excess liquid fuel in the engine and this could cause serious damage to both the engine and the pull-start assembly. Never try to start the engine if it is in a hydraulic locked state.

If the engine becomes hydraulic locked, do not pull on the pull-start cord. Read the warning describing how to remove the excess fuel from the cylinder.

The engine is started by connecting the 1-1/2 volt power supply to the glow plug then pulling on the pull-start cord. The proper way is to pull the cord in short, quick, successive pulls until the engine starts. Once the engine starts, release the pull-starter.

Never pull the pull-start cord out to its maximum length. This may damage the pull-start assembly. Always use short, rapid pulls. Do not pull any harder than necessary to turn the engine over.

BREAK-IN PROCEDURE

• The break-in process allows the engine parts to mate to each other and prevent premature wear. The engine should be broken in using a good quality R/C car fuel that contains 20% or less nitromethane.

• Close the main speed needle (clockwise) all the way but do not force it. You just want to turn it until it stops as there is a tapered seat to adjust the fuel mixture and over-tightening the need will cause damage to the seat. Now open the high-speed needle valve about 2-1/2 to 3 turns from the fully closed position.

• Follow the starting procedure to prime and prepare the engine for starting.

• Open the throttle barrel just above the idle position and connect the power to the glow plug. Pull the pull-start cord in short quick bursts until the engine starts.

• Once the engine starts, allow it to run for about 1 minute without giving it throttle. This will allow the engine to warm up. At this point, the engine should be running very "rich" and there should be excessive white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe.

• After the engine has been running for about 1 minute, remove the power from the glow plug. Advance the throttle in short, quick bursts, and drive the car around for about 2-3 minutes. If the engine is running rich enough, you should notice excessive white smoke coming from the exhaust and the engine should sound like it's running very rough. Also, the car will be moving slowly. If there is not excessive white smoke coming from the exhaust, open the high-speed needle valve another 1/2 turn. After 2-3 minutes, stop the engine by pinching the fuel line to the carburetor.

•  Let the engine cool for approximately 10 minutes, then restart it. Set the high-speed needle valve mixture to a slightly leaner setting, about 1/8 turn more in. Repeat the step above then stop the engine and let it cool for approximately 10 minutes.

•  Repeat the procedure in the step above, while leaning the needle valve slightly more each time. In all, you should run the engine for a total of 30 minutes. After 30 minutes of running, the engine will be broken in. Run the engine with the needle valve set slightly rich, but lean enough to power the car. At this point, the engine should hold a good setting on the high-speed needle valve and you can fine tune the needle valve settings to increase performance.

•  It is very important that the engine never be leaned out too much. When running the engine, you should always be able to see a trail of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. If there is not white smoke, stop the engine immediately and richen (unscrew) the high-speed needle 1/2 turn. You should also make sure there is plenty of air flowing over the cylinder head to keep the engine from overheating. Your car needs air inlet and outlet around the engine to ensure proper cooling.

FINE TUNING THE K&B .18

Never lean out the mixture settings too much. Remember, the lubricants for your engine are in the fuel. If you lean out the fuel mixture too much, you will also be starving the engine of lubricant. Less lubricant will cause your engine to overheat and cause premature wear. This will cause engine failure.

Setting the High-Speed Needle Valve: Start the engine and remove the power from the glow plug. Allow the engine to warm up for about 1 minute.

After the engine has warmed up, drive the car as you normally would. If the engine seems to be running rich, lean the mixture screw about 1/16 of a turn at a time until the desired setting is achieved. Always make sure you run the engine slightly rich, you want to be able to see a white exhaust trail at all times.

To get more power from your engine, you can use fuels containing up to 30% nitromethane. However, we suggest adding and additional .005" head gasket to lower the compression ratio if overheating and erratic running occurs.

Setting the Low Speed Needle Valve: Adjust the idle stop screw to raise or lower the idle speed.

Now, drive the car for a while to get a feel for how the engine reacts runs. Now that you know the proper way to tune your engine, you can make slight adjustments to the carburetor until you are satisfied with the performance.

MAINTENANCE

Always use good quality "wet style" air filter on the carburetor. The air filter should be cleaned frequently, but if in doubt, replace it.

We recommend using an in-line filter in the fuel pickup line to prevent particles that may be in the fuel being drawn into the engine.

Always use new fuel and keep the cap on the fuel can tightly closed. As glow fuel ages, it absorbs water which degrades the fuels performance and causes erratic engine operation.

After you have finished using the engine for the day, remove the glow plug and squirt several drops of a high quality after run oil into the carburetor and cylinder. Crank the engine over a couple of times to distribute the oil and reinstall the glow plug, this will prevent corrosion inside the engine.

The outside of the engine should be wiped off using a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol to prevent buildup of dirt and grime.

WARRANTY SERVICE

All K&B engines returned for warranty service must be within the warranty terms as stated in this instruction sheet. Do not return the engine to the place of purchase. They are not authorized or equipped to perform warranty work on K&B products. When requesting warranty service, please observe the following:

• Be sure you have not voided the warranty by abusing, disassembling, or modifying the engine (beyond short-cutting the shaft).

• Call K&B first to receive a returned goods authorization (RGA) number, at 626-359-9527.

• Always send the complete engine including the carburetor.  Do not send us the vehicle.

•  Include a note detailing the problem you are experiencing. Warranty service cannot be provided without this information. Include your daytime phone number, address, or e-mail address in the event we need to contact you for more details pertaining to the service you requested.

• Tell us where you purchased you engine and when. A clear copy of your purchase receipt is required for you to receive a warranty consideration.

• After you receive your RGA number and have prepared your written information, send the engine to us at:

K&B MODEL PRODUCTS, INC.
Attention: Warranty Department
16015 Adelante St
Irwindale, California 91702

NON-WARRANTY REPAIR SERVICE