Little Tekky on 655 stumping the pro.

[Greentored 3,214]

Ok, maybe not 'pro', but most of you likely know by now, I know my way around internal combustion engines and carbs quite well haha, but this Tekky on the 655 'lil booger' has been driving me up a wall for almost a year of cutting grass!

I cannot cut the lawn at the woman's postage stamp size property without making 2-3 carb adjustments. Everything has been cleaned and is spotless, throttle shaft is tight, 'jiggle rod' emulsion tube is free, engine is in good mechanical condition, governor adjusted correctly. It lights off so well that I don't even run a battery- the rope start has it purring often on the first pull. It has never idled 'clean'- it 'pops' or cuts out randomly and will sometimes stall if I dont keep the idle up a bit. Response is excellent, power is great, then as I'm mowing, it will suddenly begin to stumble and sputter, I'll hop off, tweak the main jet, and away she goes for another 5 minutes, then I repeat. If I get frustrated I sometimes yank the choke halfway and finish the yard. Points, plug, magneto air gap, fuel tank vent all correct. 

This is probably the 'tightest' early WH I may ever find- steering, pivot pin, spindles, hubs, deck and drive system, basically all the items that have usually seen better days- they are snug like new! Someone either didn't use this much, took very good care of it, or both. With that being said, as much as I'd love to toss a K181 on it, really would like to leave it original.

Any ideas before this carb turns into a UFO across the yard?

 

 

Edited August 3, 2021 by Greentored

[ebinmaine 67,605]

Scott the 2 main reasons people don't like the early techies on these Wheelhorses are:

the points, or the carburetor.

 

The points are an issue because they are under the flywheel and folks don't want to deal with them being difficult to access while also being a bit finicky to set. Once set correctly though, they're usually not a problem.

 

Now the carburetors on the other hand....

It sort of seems as though there was a certain number of '60s vintage small block Tecumseh carburetors that were affected with something along the lines of evil juju.

 

@pullstart has had success in swapping to a small Kohler carburetor.

 

[Greentored 3,214]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

Scott the 2 main reasons people don't like the early techies on these Wheelhorses are:

the points, or the carburetor.

 

The points are an issue because they are under the flywheel and folks don't want to deal with them being difficult to access while also being a bit finicky to set. Once set correctly though, they're usually not a problem.

 

Now the carburetors on the other hand....

It sort of seems as though there was a certain number of '60s vintage small block Tecumseh carburetors that were affected with something along the lines of evil juju.

 

@pullstart has had success in swapping to a small Kohler carburetor.

 

I do agree with the hidden points, as well as it being a real pain to set the mag air gap under there as well!

Now a Kohler carb...got my attention!  Lets hope @pullstart sees this and spills the beans!

Thanks man!

[Pullstart 62,911]

11 minutes ago, Greentored said:

 

Any ideas before this carb turns into a UFO across the yard?

 

Idea #1: Get video of such actions!

 

Idea #2: Absolutely toss a carb off a K series onto it and you’ll be oh so happy you did.  

 

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/80585-will-a-kohler-carb-fit-a-tecumseh-project-teck-ohler/?tab=comments#comment-791407

 

[Greentored 3,214]

19 minutes ago, pullstart said:

Idea #1: Get video of such actions!

 

Idea #2: Absolutely toss a carb off a K series onto it and you’ll be oh so happy you did.  

 

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/80585-will-a-kohler-carb-fit-a-tecumseh-project-teck-ohler/?tab=comments#comment-791407

 

Whoa, wait, what!!!????  It bolts right up!!!???  No custom manifold adapter or anything!!!???

[Pullstart 62,911]

1 hour ago, Greentored said:

Whoa, wait, what!!!????  It bolts right up!!!???  No custom manifold adapter or anything!!!???

Super easy 

[WHX?? 48,828]

Not that going to a K carb is the best idea but has anybody done or had any luck with the Tecky knockoff carbs so common and cheap? For the 10 bucks they get for one I guess I wouldn't be afraid to try. 

tecumseh hh60 carburetor | eBay

Edited August 3, 2021 by WHX??

[Achto 27,602]

Best running Techy that I have ever had was in a mini bike. I made a manifold so that I could install a Mikuni carburetor on it. No governor of course, not needed on a mini bike.

[WHX?? 48,828]

You know the more I look at your tractor Green the nicer it gets. I maybe best just come get it... 

I wouldn't think twice about dropping a K181 on it and calling it a 855. I'll even set you up with a gently used 857 for mowing duty. 

[WHX?? 48,828]

55 minutes ago, Achto said:

Best running Techy that I have ever had

Best one I have is on a vintage b hind snow blower. Thing sits for months on end with out being started but always starts on first pull if you futz with the primer and choke right. 

[oldredrider 2,548]

I've probably gotten about a dozen of the cheap knock off carbs. Every one has been a plug and play. Never did any of them need an adjustment. 

The carbs are cheaper than a rebuild kit and there is no labor. 

And, I'm NOT a Teccy fan.

[WHX?? 48,828]

20 minutes ago, oldredrider said:

gotten about a dozen of the cheap knock off carbs.

Your talking about the techy knock offs not the Kohler ones right Old Red?  

23 minutes ago, oldredrider said:

I'm NOT a Teccy fan.

I don't know any guys that are other than Squonky @squonk and he don't count. 

[oldredrider 2,548]

Teccy knock offs.

[stevasaurus 22,764]

Your symptoms also sound like a partially blocked gas line.  I once ended up finding a dead, white spider stuck in the valve on the bottom of the gas tank.  It was enough blockage to have to run it with the choke out a touch.  

    I also had an issue with my 702...it would run like what you are saying, and then something would happen and it would run great.  I finally disconnected the gas line from the tank side of the fuel pump and gently forced some air back through the line into the tank.  It resisted for a second and then blew a little gas out of the top of the tank.  I know I am going to have to pull and clean out the tank at some point, but it has run great for over 2 years now with no more issues.  Just thinking it may not be the carb.

    Bob Maynard did an excellent thread on rebuilding a carb on a V-6 Tecumseh 6 hsp.  Check this out.

 

[D_Mac 8,621]

So after @squonk put the voodoo curse on mine when he visited. I had to have all new points, condenser, and coil installed. Plus had the carb cleaned and rebuilt. Since then it runs perfect. Starts after the second pull every time and runs smooth. If I still have it the next time he comes over I will hide it over in the neighbors garage.

[tom2p 2,394]

41 minutes ago, D_Mac said:

So after @squonk put the voodoo curse on mine when he visited. I had to have all new points, condenser, and coil installed. Plus had the carb cleaned and rebuilt. Since then it runs perfect. Starts after the second pull every time and runs smooth. If I still have it the next time he comes over I will hide it over in the neighbors garage.

'since then it runs perfect' ...  

 

so the curse worked - or maybe it was it a blessing ?

 

[D_Mac 8,621]

I don't think @squonkhas ever "blessed" a Tecumseh engine.

[squonk 41,153]

2 hours ago, D_Mac said:

I don't think @squonkhas ever "blessed" a Tecumseh engine.

I blessed quite a few on the way to the scrap yard! 

[Gregor 4,846]

9 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

The points are an issue because they are under the flywheel and folks don't want to deal with them

I fought a Tecky for 3 days because of a bad set of BRAND NEW points. Did you do anything to the internals of this engine? I'm wondering about a burnt exhaust valve.

[Gregor 4,846]

7 hours ago, WHX?? said:

but has anybody done or had any luck with the Tecky knockoff carbs

I have one on mt 656. Starts and runs perfect. Even sounds good with that Jim Kemp Stack on it.

[Handy Don 12,235]

2 hours ago, squonk said:

I blessed quite a few on the way to the scrap yard! 

Gave them Last Rites, you mean? 

[Greentored 3,214]

14 hours ago, Gregor said:

I fought a Tecky for 3 days because of a bad set of BRAND NEW points. Did you do anything to the internals of this engine? I'm wondering about a burnt exhaust valve.

Havent touched the engine aside from adjusting the points, mag gap, plug, governor gear, and putting a 'sausage' muffler on it and a straight section of pipe- vertically of course.

I suppose its possible?

[Gregor 4,846]

If you should decide to swap it out, please don't throw it away. Contact me if you would want to sell it.

 

This is the carb I bought.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/263387163081

 

Edited August 4, 2021 by Gregor