My Quarter Horsepower 1267

[EB-80/8inPA 1,641]

Last fall I noticed my newest addition 1267 was losing power uphill.  I figured it needed a governor adjustment, resolved to address it in the Spring and put it away for the winter.

Having determined the governor was fine this week, I assumed it was fuel delivery related.  I also noticed the oil smelled gassy.  I replaced the fuel pump diaphragm, the lines, the valve (screen was crimped) and blew the crud out of the tank, changed the oil and turned the key.  Ran briefly, quit and refused to start again.

At this point it was clear the battery was weak, but it would not be jumped.  Charged the battery overnight and it took the charge (yay!) and she fired up (yay, again!).

But it refused to rev.  Adjusting the throttle failed to have any effect, notwithstanding a few blasts of cleaner sprayed in there with great hope.

Compression is 90#.  The spark plug had liquidy residue on it resembling an oil/gas mix.

Oh, and for good measure, while I was futzing with the gas tank I must have bothered a wire or something, as the ignition switch arced briefly and smoked a bit but then acted normal again.

Before I start tearing into the carburetor, does anybody have any advice what to focus on first?  Thanks in advance.

[squonk 41,094]

I would do a cylinder leakage test first. 80 bucks at Harbor Freight

 

[EB-80/8inPA 1,641]

19 hours ago, squonk said:

 

I would do a cylinder leakage test first.

 

That I will do.  I was wondering why that motor seemed to huff and puff.  I’m guessing it is leaking. Thanks for the feedback

@squonk.  Appreciated.

Edited March 26, 2023 by EB-80/8inPA

[Blasterdad 2,692]

5 hours ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

I must have bothered a wire or something, as the ignition switch arced briefly and smoked a bit but then acted normal again.

 

I would hunt down that Gremlin & look for others too !!! 

[EB-80/8inPA 1,641]

2 hours ago, Blasterdad said:

 

I would hunt down that Gremlin & look for others too !!! 

Yeah, that’s a whole ’nother complication right there of no small concern.

[Ed Kennell 38,162]

Think clogged muffler ?

[EB-80/8inPA 1,641]

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

Think clogged muffler ?

Thank you.  The thought had not occurred to me.  I suspect I’ll be moving into the rusted-in-place muffler removal phase of this diagnostic misadventure next.

Edited March 26, 2023 by EB-80/8inPA

[Ed Kennell 38,162]

37 minutes ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

 Is there a way to check that without removing it?

Best to take it off to see if it solves the problem.

[EB-80/8inPA 1,641]

2 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Best to take it off to see if it solves the problem.

Penetrating oil is applied and fingers are crossed…

[RED-Z06 2,221]

Id try a fresh plug, and check/clean the points myself

[953 nut 55,210]

When an engine was running well before storage and has problems when returned to service the first thing to do is clean the contacts of the ignition points. Place a brown paper bag or a dollar bill between the closed contacts on your points and run it back and forth to remove corrosion. Check the gap to be good too.