Well, I can officially tell you it's possible to replace a nose drive assy on a first gen SC without removing the SC.

My pulley was loose, and since I had 70,000 miles on the SC, I figured it was about time to replace the whole thing anyway.

The short version is that you put some plastic or towels underneath the SC and nose assy, and crack the case. There really isn't that much oil to catch.

After reinstalling the new assy, you need a way to put the fresh oil in. I used an electric fuel pump from my RC Planes (my Girlfriend's idea!) that worked GREAT!. You could also use a syringe but it would just take a little longer. No worries about overflowing. It doesn't fill it that high.

Here some pics

Mike

 

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I think you should do a write-up

 

If you want a write up, I'd be glad to do one. You want it on this forum or by e-mail?

It was really simple albeit a little intimidating at first.

Mike