Forward is Slow, reverse is perfect.

ckemery

1973 Harley golf cart. Items replaced & repaired::::: 100% gasoline mixed @ 1.5oz/gal, new fuel line, carb, reeds, coil, points condenser, spark plug, belts, crank bearings and seals, primary clutch o rings, felt, oil, BBQ'd muffler, new piston, rings and cylinder jug, 95psi fwd/100PSI reverse. ...... This thing does not have any power in forward! Reverse is perfect! I have points set at .022' and I have rotated that timing dial at every position without improvement! Could my starter generator be the culprit? It is original as far as I know. It charges battery as intended, but could something be robbing power from the engine in forward? Any advise greatly appreciated.

BGW

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Ron Benedict

I don't believe they charge in reverse. Jack up one rear wheel and put a volt meter on your battery. If it is charging more than 14 volts it is the regulator causing the problem.

tew45

Your timing is still not good. Please review the timing procedure and adjust the point plate to the point where the points open at the same place when the crank is rotated forward then reverse. There are many instructions on the forum to help you get it correctly adjusted.

ckemery

Tew45, thanks for your reply. I have adjusted timing plate to no avail! I went as far as wiring up a light to battery and points to visually see when points disconnect. Used dial indicator to find exact TDC and gapped .022''. Nothing improved for the forward direction. Since nothing improved, I experimentally just moved the dial in very small increments in both directions. It did improve very slightly at one point but the timing was WAY off from where it should be dialed in. Ron, My starter generator does charge correctly. Could possibly a bearing be going out in the starter and when the motor accelerated to higher RPM's, dragging the motor down?

chuckbaynham

I went as far as wiring up a light to battery and points to visually see when points disconnect. Used dial indicator to find exact TDC and gapped .022''.

Huh?
Your comment suggests TDC has a relationship with the maximum point gap.
If you can find TDC with dial indicator, then perhaps with the measurements from one of TEW's posts you can find where the piston should be (Before TDC both forward and reverse) then put it there and use the point plate to turn your light on indicating the points are just opening.

ckemery

chuckbaynham, Yes, I believe I'm setting correctly....indicators through fan hole mark 25 degree before TDC. Rotate forward direction, and at the mark points should be just starting to open (or my wired light dimming off). reverse direction and repeat. then find TDC with dial indicator and gap to .022'' and double check forward and reverse marks again. This I have done many many times. Please advise if I'm going something wrong.

chuckbaynham

That sounds correct.
You must be extremely frustrated I know I would be.
Heard a great saying the other day:
" The good thing about him is he doesn't give up!"

" The bad thing about him is he doesn't give up!"

tew45 has posted many times that some carts require point plate adjustments after set to flywheel marks and it sounds like you have tried that as well.

Since it "works harder" in forward; the only thing I can see not replaced is the plug wire. Electricity line of least resistance etc. More work = more load and more load = higher resistance.
But you likely replaced that as well and just didn't mention it.
Good luck and please keep us posted.

Lochlin

I have had zero luck with setting timing via the book method(s). I am not sure why.

The only thing that worked for me is to get things in the ballpark via the book method then making tiny point plate adjustments until I get things right.

For experts like TEW, timing is easy. For goof balls like me it's tougher than you think. Really, though, if it is running good in reverse then your engine is right. It has to be timing. Check and double check point gap too. Don't be afraid to experiment outside of manual spec!

tew45

try timing this way.turn the crank to near BDC then with points at around .022, turn the crank clockwise until the points just start to open. Mark the spot. Now from BDC again turn the crank counter clockwise and note where the points just start to open. Make another mark. Adjust the point plate to make the two point opening the same distance in either direction. Adjust the points to .022 and check from BDC if the points open where they should clockwise from BDC then counterclockwise from BDC. Then the timing should be close enough to run in both directions. This is a little different than my usual explanation so here is another. Forget about TDC just use BDC for a starting point then turn the crank forward point open should be the same point as the reverse direction starting at BDC adjust the point plat until the points open the same place each direction then adjust the points to specs.

ckemery

tew45- I will try this today after work. Thank you! It still boggles my mind the precision accuracy required with the only tool being a slotted turn plate!! As I explained previously, I have been at every increment around this dial, but possibly I missed a very VERY small spot. Thanks again for everyones input!