A Tale of 1 3/4 Optimas

[markbt73]

I was afraid of that. I hate irreplaceable parts... still, all I need is a 5mm shaft that's cross-drilled at one end, cut to length, with a flat filed. I wonder if I still have an old TL01 driveshaft lying around? Could make two from that...

[markbt73]

HA! Tell me a replacement part doesn't exist, will you? Fine. I'll just make one. Found a 5mm shaft from some Tamiya gearbox or other that was about the right length, cross-drilled it right at the end (yes, it was a pain, and no, I didn't quite get it exactly centered, but close enough), and press in a roll pin.



The roll pin is black, so it's hard to see, but it's in there. The Sharpie marks on the shaft were so I knew where the flat should go.

[GoMachV]

Looks good!

[DennisM]

Did you remove the gear on the old shaft, to see if it had the hole for the crosspin?

[markbt73]

Did you remove the gear on the old shaft, to see if it had the hole for the crosspin?

Not yet. I only have two, so I didn't want to destroy it until I had a replacement figured out. I will check that eventually, however.

[keithrc]

I'm not sure if you're aware or not but there were 3 different versions of these counter gears.

The originals had the gear moulded or pressed onto the splined shaft which would eventually start to strip out and spin on the shaft, then there was the screw on type that the Turbo Optima's and I think also the Salute's had (both my Salute's have this version) which according to my Turbo Optima and Salute manuals consisted of 3 washers, a spring and a 3mm nylock nut. And the 3rd type was the one with the pin and slot.

I'm not sure if the pin/slot type versions actually came in any of the Optima kits though (possible the Optima Pro?). I do know that the Ultima Pro had the pin/slot type.

Having written all that, I just noticed that you gear is infact the slotted type. Your pic is very dark and hard to see.


Keith

[Coelacanth]

I'm not sure if you're aware or not but there were 3 different versions of these counter gears.

The originals had the gear moulded or pressed onto the splined shaft which would eventually start to strip out and spin on the shaft, then there was the screw on type that the Turbo Optima's and I think also the Salute's had (both my Salute's have this version) which according to my Turbo Optima and Salute manuals consisted of 3 washers, a spring and a 3mm nylock nut. And the 3rd type was the one with the pin and slot.

I'm not sure if the pin/slot type versions actually came in any of the Optima kits though (possible the Optima Pro?). I do know that the Ultima Pro had the pin/slot type.

Having written all that, I just noticed that you gear is infact the slotted type. Your pic is very dark and hard to see.


Keith

There's a fourth type of counter gear; well technically a third only, because the cross-pin gear wasn't really intended for the Optima series, it was for the Optima Mid/Ultima series, I believe.

The stock Optima gear was a solid, molded piece. The Turbo Optima/Salute could have either the gear you mentioned with the thin spring washers, or it could have the OT-74 Limiter Gear assembly, which had a beefy, thick spring. You can read all about it in this topic I started; the kind I use is the OT-74 thick spring variety, I've acquired a number of those over the years. They're getting pretty hard to find, at least separately.

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=17162

[markbt73]

And then there were two...



The one on the left is built from the incomplete chassis, and some scrounged parts and hardware. It all works, and it will be a decent runner, I think, in a sort of a rat-rod way. I'm thinking of calling it "the Jaloptima."

[DennisM]

I'm not sure if you're aware or not but there were 3 different versions of these counter gears.

The originals had the gear moulded or pressed onto the splined shaft which would eventually start to strip out and spin on the shaft, then there was the screw on type that the Turbo Optima's and I think also the Salute's had (both my Salute's have this version) which according to my Turbo Optima and Salute manuals consisted of 3 washers, a spring and a 3mm nylock nut. And the 3rd type was the one with the pin and slot.

I'm not sure if the pin/slot type versions actually came in any of the Optima kits though (possible the Optima Pro?). I do know that the Ultima Pro had the pin/slot type.

Having written all that, I just noticed that you gear is infact the slotted type. Your pic is very dark and hard to see.


Keith

There's a fourth type of counter gear; well technically a third only, because the cross-pin gear wasn't really intended for the Optima series, it was for the Optima Mid/Ultima series, I believe.

The stock Optima gear was a solid, molded piece. The Turbo Optima/Salute could have either the gear you mentioned with the thin spring washers, or it could have the OT-74 Limiter Gear assembly, which had a beefy, thick spring. You can read all about it in this topic I started; the kind I use is the OT-74 thick spring variety, I've acquired a number of those over the years. They're getting pretty hard to find, at least separately.

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=17162

Really?

[keithrc]

Nice work mate, I'm assuming you'll be getting an Optima body for the more complete one, which body are you going with for the gold shock equipped car?
(cough, go Turbo, cough)


Keith

[keithrc]

I'm not sure if you're aware or not but there were 3 different versions of these counter gears.

The originals had the gear moulded or pressed onto the splined shaft which would eventually start to strip out and spin on the shaft, then there was the screw on type that the Turbo Optima's and I think also the Salute's had (both my Salute's have this version) which according to my Turbo Optima and Salute manuals consisted of 3 washers, a spring and a 3mm nylock nut. And the 3rd type was the one with the pin and slot.

I'm not sure if the pin/slot type versions actually came in any of the Optima kits though (possible the Optima Pro?). I do know that the Ultima Pro had the pin/slot type.

Having written all that, I just noticed that you gear is infact the slotted type. Your pic is very dark and hard to see.


Keith

There's a fourth type of counter gear; well technically a third only, because the cross-pin gear wasn't really intended for the Optima series, it was for the Optima Mid/Ultima series, I believe.

The stock Optima gear was a solid, molded piece. The Turbo Optima/Salute could have either the gear you mentioned with the thin spring washers, or it could have the OT-74 Limiter Gear assembly, which had a beefy, thick spring. You can read all about it in this topic I started; the kind I use is the OT-74 thick spring variety, I've acquired a number of those over the years. They're getting pretty hard to find, at least separately.

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=17162

Really?

I missed that bit about the Mid, didn't know Mid's had gear those gear limiters.


Keith

[markbt73]

Nice work mate, I'm assuming you'll be getting an Optima body for the more complete one, which body are you going with for the gold shock equipped car?
(cough, go Turbo, cough)


Keith

Yes, I have a repro standard Optima body for #1, and a paint scheme in mind (not box art). For #2, I'm not sure. Possibly a full-fendered rally car of some sort, if I can find one. For now, it will just use the black and gold Optima body, possibly repainted on the outside.

[GoMachV]

Should I add the red and white box art turbo body I showed you last week to the pile of goodies? It was brush painted but looks great with gold shocks. I already have the replacement for my car so this is a spare

[markbt73]

Should I add the red and white box art turbo body I showed you last week to the pile of goodies? It was brush painted but looks great with gold shocks. I already have the replacement for my car so this is a spare

I'm actually not too fond of the Turbo style body. I prefer the skinnier standard style. so I think I'll pass on that. Thanks, though.

I had a crazy thought about trying to build a Javelin-style cage out of styrene, for shelf display, but I'm not sure I'm that ambitious...

[GoMachV]

That would be cool, and a lot cheaper than a real javelin cage!