You know what I like about my CC DS?

David Maner

I came here to these pages and started sharing ideas but mostly started reading. In that reading I came across articles after articles about the Vegas Carts 460 engine. After some thought I decided I needed to replace the tired old flat head in my '86 DS. At first I bought a couple used 23 HP Kawasaki engines that supposedly only had roughly 150 hours on them. they have the taper shaft that fits the DS clutch so I figured I can't go wrong. Well how wrong was I? I brought them home and both started right up and ran fine no noises, no spits or backfires just smooth running but the problem was they both smoked like the dickens. Rather than tear into them to do a rebuild I decided that I'd go the VC460 route. Put the 460 in and treated it like a new engine should be treated, changed the oil 6 or 7 times, sorry, (I forgot exactly,) but the first change was within a few minutes of first start up. Anyways now I have roughly in the upper 20 hours on the engine and just changed the oil another time. I think I had put close to 7 hours run time on it on this last oil change. No sparklies, no ferrous metals on my magnetic plug just oil that for all intents and purposes looks like it has much more time left in it but I'd rather spend the few bucks for fresh oil than take a chance.

I installed an electronic FAZE oil temperature gauge and was seeing oil temps in the 225 to 235 F after several miles of serious running, up and down hills anywhere from 5 mph to the low thirties. At first I put the sensor in the un-used drain plug but that wasn't all that good of a place to put it as there is a lot of aluminum around that hole so it was slow to read. I wanted a more responsive temp gauge. I finally figured out that the thread for the oil check and add opening is a M20x2.5 so I go to tractor supply and buy a bolt fitting that description. I bring it home and sure enough it fit perfect. I cut it down to about 5/8 inch worth of tread and drilled a hole down the center and tapped it for the 1/8 NPT thread that I needed for my temp sensor. So now I have my temperature gauge sensor in the rear most oil check plug and now I have a temperature gauge that starts rising almost as soon as I take off. Much more responsive. After a mile or so running time an hour of so ago the gauge was up to 150 degrees, Driving anywhere from taking off up to 30 mph. With my previous setup with the temp sensor in the front un-used drain hole the gauge wouldn't have ever got up that high in that short of a time span.

Now, What I like about my DS is I can play with it with out fear of turning it into a paper weight and without spending a small fortune on parts and accessories. I have Vegas Carts to thank for that.

When I changed the oil a couple hours ago it was still showing a golden color on the dip stick but in the drain pan it was showing a little darker. The last three oil changes I'm using mobil1 extended performance 10w30 and have been adding about 2.5 ounces of Lucas break in oil additive with TB zinc plus and will be with all future oil changes as the added zinc can't hurt. the next oil change I'll more than likely switch to the 5w30 weight Mobil1 EP as the 5 weight will help in start up initial oiling and the 30 weight will continue to protect the engine under higher temps. This winter I may even use the 5w20 Mobil1 EP oil.

Anyways I'm loving my 86 CC DS with the VC460 engine.

I installed the Champion" HD Shaft Rockers that VC added to their product line. They cut the valve noise considerably as a bonus and seem to maintain the lash much better but I have to admit I really don't have a lot of time with these rockers to say that for certain but my feel is that will be the case.



https://lucasoil.com/pdf/TDS_Break-In-Additive.pdf

Attached Images

tempsensorplug.jpg (156.5 KB, 0 views)

BGW

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sho305

Nice call on the drain plug you made! VC460 is a nice ride, lot of happy people with them. I just turned mine into one just about with their cam and rod in my 420 clone. Its running good but not a lot different than before so something is not right, jetting or something I will figure it out. I changed too many things at once to tell what is slowing it down. It does run great however, does not miss a beat so it has to be a tuning thing.

BrutalSoldier

So good to see another happy owner of a cc ds with a VC460 while mine sits on jack stands 3/4 done .
And Sho enjoy the challenge while you have it. I would bet you will miss it once you have solved it.