'68 Harley - Performance Issues.

sp_gilligan

Hello guys, I have read and read and thanks for all the help. I recently purchased an abandoned 68 Harley golf cart. I was surprised it started once I put in new battery, spark plug and fuel line filter.... It runs okay, but sputters consistently in forward and even back fires when I ride for longer than a few minutes. Reverse runs perfectly, smooth and great speed. Not sure what is going on in forward, but I have checked the timing and points (I think) and ride is the same no matter how I adjust. Compression is about 105 forward and 115 reverse ( muffler may be a little clogged).... A couple observations it seems to run a little better in forward when the cart warms up a bit, not a ton better, but every once in awhile it runs somewhat smooth for about 50 feet... Then erratic sputtering from time to time. I have been told the issue now lies in the crank case seal. Is there anything else that would improve performance? Is replacing crank seal difficult? Do I have to pull entire engine out? Please advise....

BGW

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sp_gilligan

....again, reverse seems perfect, no mater how far I drive in reverse, smooth and fast. If I can get forward to work at 80% of what reverse will do, I will be thrilled.

tew45

Are you sure it is timed correctly in forward as well as reverse? The compression seems a little high but not that much.

sp_gilligan

Thanks TEW, no I am not confident in my point setting, when I look in that little hole I see a green dot and make sure It is .22 correct? Same as reverse, I turn the other direction until I see the other green dot and set at .22 correct (are there 2 seperate green dots? how do I know which one is reverse and forward?)? My brother-in-law took the points out cleaned them and put them back in and it is driving real well. Just wish I knew exactly how to adjust so I can buy new ones and install or set correctly. Thanks for your help.

mic_

When you rotate the crank to where the dot appears in the little hole, your points should be just beginning to open. This is when the spark plug fires. There are 2 dots, one for each direction of the cranks rotation. Rotate the crank in the other direction and the other dot will appear in the hole. Again your points should be just beginning to open. Continue to rotate the crank until the points are fully open and they should be around .022 gap. My manual states you can go +/- .005 on the point gap to fine tune the timing beyond what rotating the points plate can do.

sp_gilligan

Awesome guys, thanks a lot. Running like a champ. Any ideas to make it quieter? Runs great, just squeaky, raddly, noisy....

Modifier

Check your drive belt width. My belt was at 1 inch and it was really noisy. Read on here that a worn belt would cause noise. It should be 1 3/16 on my 77. I replaced and the rattling disappeared plus I gained some speed.

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smkummer

Put the fill hole on the clutch at either 7 or 5 oclock, take out the black rubber plug and fill with 90 weight gear oil. If the clutch gets low on fluid, it will make noise.

sp_gilligan

Smkummer, added oil and it seemed to leak out of the three screw holes... Does this mean i added to much and level should not reach screws? I do not think ot is leaking through o-ring, just red capped screws...?

tew45

Just pull the fill hole plug and if no oil drains out when the plug is at 4 or 8 O clock. If no oil runs out it probably is not too full. The clutch should have 12 oz of 90 wt gear oil. The screw holes should have the seals (red capped screws)to keep oil in. The belts may be squeaking. Check the generator belt for tightness and the drive belt for alignment. Also the clutch may need service. Jack up one wheel and run the cart in place and listen for noises.