Honda GX390 Engine swap help needed!

mitchelperkins

Hello guys,

I got lucky today and managed to pick up a running, perfectly functional Honda GX390 with electric start for only $125 bucks. I plan on putting it into my old Pargo golf cart, which is more closely related to a Yamaha G9 at this point as that's the rear end that is in it.

The pull start works fine on the engine but I havent been able to get the electric start working - some of the wiring looks a little jerryrigged and far from factory, it appears someone added a voltage regulator to it? Could this be the culprit for the engine not starting?

Honestly I don't understand the process of connecting the battery to the engine and if anyone could help me with that I'd be greatly appreciated.

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BGW

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Streetbu

As far as hooking the battery up to get the engine started, you only need three wires. Ground, hot to the starter solenoid, and switched hot to the solenoid. There will be other wires to hook up for the charging system, but those 3 will get it cranking and started.

smokindawg

Not a bad deal if it runs good once you get it started and running. It should wake up the old Pargo!

mitchelperkins

Runs great, believe it or not! Guy I bought it off of said it was on a power washer so I'm hoping it hasn't been used too much. Can't tell the year but but of the warning labels says 2005 so I'd be happy if it's at least that new.

I see you have a G1 - im also stumped on a few things related to hooking up the tranny, I got the F/R lever installed fine but I believe there is supposed to be a metal bar supporting it behind the fiberglass frame, and obviously my Pargo doesn't have that. What should I do? fab something up or could I buy the part somewhere?

I'm also confused on how the braking system works - I know I need the passenger and driver brake cables, but I don't know if the OEM cables will be the right length for my cart.

mitchelperkins

I'm sorry, I'm just so used to just dealing with hooking up the pos and neg and going, what I did was connect the positive to the terminal on the solenoid/starter that also has another black cable on it, but I don't understand what to ground it to - I just have the motor sitting on a wood workbench so I can test and make sure everything works so I don't know if I should just ground it to a metal toolbox or what.

slonomo

Pressure washer engine? What kind of crankshaft does it have, 1" straight or is it a tapered shaft?

slonomo

For the shifter you could do "The New Guy shifter mod". It's basically a floor shifter that another member "The New Guy" invented and many of us copied because it works so well. Pretty easy to do also. I wouldn't trade it for a tiny lever on the body like the stock ones. Haven't had any issues with it at all.

I have it detailed in my thread, also lots of good info there that might help you. Let me know if you have any questions.

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/clone...rts-440-a.html

Don't mess around with a stock clutch, spend the bucks and get the Comet 780 and you'll be happy you did. It's perfect for the big blocks, no tuning required and it will feel way more powerful than a stock clutch. Hopefully that engine has the 1" clutch. That's what the 780 needs.

I would just use that engine as is, with the muffler and air filter. You can always mod it later.

mitchelperkins

I didn't think about the shaft size. Oops! I attached pictures, honestly I don't know what I'm looking at so you tell me. it's 1" wide and 3" long

On top of that, i got the electric start working perfectly, but the engine won't stay running. Starts quick and easy and runs good for a few seconds, then starts sputtering and will shake around pretty violently, if I mess around with the choke I can keep it alive but just barely.

I assumed the best place to start so I tore apart the carb, will get to cleaning and reinstalling it tomorrow. The carb was filled with gas in the bowl and the main part, is this normal or?

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Streetbu

Carb is probably just plugged. Remove the bowl, clean the main jet and try it again.

slonomo

That crank is the 1" straight shaft, that's the one you want. Use carb spray to clean out all the jets. Make sure you are using new gasoline. Also, change the spark plug. Check the air filter and make sure it's not all plugged up. Is there a fuel filter?