How can I get more rpms out of my old 10hp Kohler?

[Mike_eash 59]

Hi guys

I am trying to get more rpms out of my 10hp kohler. The manual says 3600 I am at 2700rpms

I can get 3600 if manually hold the throttle open . 

I have the Governor shaft turned all the way ccw

But the governor always brings it back down. I know there is a way to adjust it

but I'm a little lost 

Can someone smarter then me help

Thanks in advance

[lynnmor 7,308]

Will this website help you?

[ri702bill 8,345]

Agreed - moving the spring ends up or down the levers changes the top RPM. Don't overdo it - 3550 with the normal load - mower deck engaged, snowblower engaged is ALL you want.

[ineedanother 1,369]

Agreed. If you are confident with your carb adjustments my next step would be to move the spring down one hole on the governor arm (left side of your pic) and see what you get. If needed, I would go to the bottom hole.

 

I would always confirm good carb adjustments before tinkering with linkages though but that's my routine...

[ri702bill 8,345]

18 minutes ago, ineedanother said:

I would always confirm good carb adjustments before tinkering with linkages

Excellent advise - once you over rev it and it chucks a rod. YOU OWN it.........

[Mike_eash 59]

23 minutes ago, ineedanother said:

Agreed. If you are confident with your carb adjustments my next step would be to move the spring down one hole on the governor arm (left side of your pic) and see what you get. If needed, I would go to the bottom hole.

 

I would always confirm good carb adjustments before tinkering with linkages though but that's my routine...

Thanks I have checked my carb adjustments repeatedly as that was my go to for higher rpms

I will try moving the spring down didn't it was that easy

[Mike_eash 59]

5 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Excellent advise - once you over rev it and it chucks a rod. YOU OWN it.........

🤣 that would definitely be a bad day! I will try my best to not have that happen

[ineedanother 1,369]

This is assuming that adjusting your throttle cable won't give you more tension on that spring which is what it looks like you need.

[pfrederi 17,741]

Where is your high speed stop?? At the blue arrow in picture.  Clockwise makes it faster

 

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,048]

Changing the spring holes affects how responsive the governor is. I would not change that given your description.

You need to add a bit more tension to the spring so what you need to change is whatever is limiting the throttle travel.

[Ed Kennell 38,228]

19 minutes ago, ineedanother said:

This is assuming that adjusting your throttle cable won't give you more tension on that spring which is what it looks like you need.

                                                It looks like you need to loosen that throttle cable wire and sheath .  And then set it to get full throttle range without a kink in the wire.

[Howie 886]

Yeah, I think removing some of that conduit would do wonders. Most of mine have about twice that

in inner wire sticking out there. You are not getting the movement of the linkage to get enough tension

on the governor spring.

[ineedanother 1,369]

22 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

Where is your high speed stop?? At the blue arrow in picture.  Clockwise makes it faster

 

 

I don't think he has one which is why I was leaning toward spring tension... A high-speed stop would be beneficial regardless of the solution IMO.

 

 

[Mike_eash 59]

15 minutes ago, ineedanother said:

I don't think he has one which is why I was leaning toward spring tension... A high-speed stop would be beneficial regardless of the solution IMO.

 

 

Yeah I don't have a high speed stop

If I'm understanding correctly more spring tension is what I need 

I will try some things mentioned to see if it works

FYI moving my spring to bottom hole got me to 3100 rpms

 

[Mike_eash 59]

46 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

Where is your high speed stop?? At the blue arrow in picture.  Clockwise makes it faster

 

 

Thanks for the picture I know where my high speed stop is. But before you laugh remember I'm a newbie and this is where it was when I bought the wheelhorse. I always wondered why it was there 😅 

[Ed Kennell 38,228]

Well, that is the engine lift lug.  Will it work for a high speed stop...maybe?

[Ed Kennell 38,228]

Again, look at the picture of Pauls throttle wire.     Readjust yours so it has a straight pull on the throttle lever. 

[Mike_eash 59]

4 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

Well, that is the engine lift lug.  Will it work for a high speed stop...maybe?

Huh! Lol! No I feel even more stupid 😵‍💫

But I'm still thinking it would work

[Ed Kennell 38,228]

Just now, Mike_eash said:

Huh! Lol! No I feel even more stupid 😵‍💫

 

No stupid questions here Mike.         We're all simply learning.

[Mike_eash 59]

5 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

Again, look at the picture of Pauls throttle wire.     Readjust yours so it has a straight pull on the throttle lever. 

I'm on it!

[wallfish 17,014]

Throttle lever all the way to full. Loosen the clamp that holds the throttle cable conduit on.It's under the carb on your engine.  Start the engine and now pull that conduit back through the clamp until the high RPM is achieved. Lock the clamp holding the conduit. Viola, your done

This will also limit the high RPM at that setting as you can't move the throttle any farther than all the way

You can do it in steps without the engine running but it takes much longer. With the engine running, it's incorporating the spring tension of the governor.

Edited September 18, 2023 by wallfish

[Mike_eash 59]

8 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Throttle lever all the way to full. Loosen the clamp that holds the throttle cable conduit on.It's under the carb on your engine.  Start the engine and now pull that conduit back through the clamp until the high RPM is achieved. Lock the clamp holding the conduit. Viola, your done

This will also limit the high RPM at that setting as you can't move the throttle any farther than all the way

You can do it in steps without the engine running but it takes much longer. With the engine running, it's incorporating the spring tension of the governor.

Thanks I like your idea! My rpms are now to high but I am understanding how this works now I believe I can get now

Thanks again everybody!!

[wallfish 17,014]

1 minute ago, Mike_eash said:

Thanks I like your idea! My rpms are now to high but I am understanding how this works now I believe I can get now

Thanks again everybody!!

Yup, now slide that conduit back towards that lever where the cable connects.

Or, Did you change spring holes in the arms?  It was a little tight on the cable length between the end of the conduit and the connection but typically if it doesn't limit the movent then it's ok

[Mike_eash 59]

15 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Yup, now slide that conduit back towards that lever where the cable connects.

Or, Did you change spring holes in the arms?  It was a little tight on the cable length between the end of the conduit and the connection but typically if it doesn't limit the movent then it's ok

I just did it exactly how you told me too!!

I'm at 3520rpms and I'm leaving it right there

[Mike_eash 59]

Here are some pics of my adjustments

3520 rpms

But now I'm wondering if I need that high speed stop. It bothers me a little now that I know I'm supposed to have one. Ignorance truly is bliss sometimes 🤣🤣🤣