FE 290 Problem

bit · 10-14-2009, 06:56 PM

I have a 93 Club Car with the FE 290 in it my problem is this.

When I bought it it had a knock in it so I pulled the motor and had it rebuilt got it back and the knock was still there but it had a lot better power, So I pulled it out again took it to another man and he rebuilt it got it back still knocking but had good power.

I pulled it the 3rd time and went into it myself found the problem ( the counter balance rods were wore so I replaced them) While I had it down I went ahead and did the lift and put 22s on it. Now it seems to run good but it will not pull a hill absolutely no power but on flat ground it runs speed good.

Any ideas where I have gone wrong? Thanks for any help

Bit

highrollinmopars · 10-14-2009, 06:58 PM

Do you have good compression like the head gasket and all it tight?

bit · 10-14-2009, 07:26 PM

roger that took it back out for the 4rth time and checked to make sure the timing was right and it too was dot on dot.

Bit

scottyb · 10-14-2009, 07:34 PM

Have you done a compression test just for grins? Once we establish you have the correct compression we can move on to other parts of the drive equation.... like clutches and tire size/gear ratio vs hp?

tonyton · 10-14-2009, 07:57 PM

Check the compression to be sure all is good, I think the new tires got you. If you still have your stock tires/wheels, install those for a test drive. The 22's will rob a lot of power, especially up hills. That would give a fair comparison of the true power as compared to before. I doubt, after 4 rebuilds and checks that something isn't right.
I could be wrong, but I don't want you to chase a problem that may not exist..
Let me show you an example. The difference is huge.

Stock tire= 18" 18(3.14)=56.52" Distance around the tire, or circumference.
New tires=22" 22(3.14)=69.08 Circumference
That's 22% increase in distance to travel for 1 revolution of the tire. It's more than 22% more weight and changes the gear ratio by 22% higher. That's 12.26 more inches of rubber for the motor to turn. Clutch mods and gear changes are sometimes desired to compensate for the gear ratio change.

bit · 10-14-2009, 08:05 PM

Yea the compression is real good I guess I was hoping the big tires would not have changed it that much. I will try the old ones in the A M

Thanks Bit

scottyb · 10-14-2009, 08:07 PM

You could try the shorter belt trick to gain the power back

scottyb · 10-14-2009, 08:08 PM

You could try the shorter belt trick to gain the power back

bit · 10-14-2009, 08:39 PM

Not aware of that How does that work?

Bit

tonyton · 10-14-2009, 10:59 PM

That will work. You need to measure your belt and order one one inch shorter. It will keep the clutches in the lower ratios. It will take a little top end off, but your cart should run faster anyway due to the tires. They are hard to get on, but they usually help. The shifter may be a little stiff until it breaks in.

10-14-2009, 06:56 PM	#1
bit Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	FE 290 Problem I have a 93 Club Car with the FE 290 in it my problem is this. When I bought it it had a knock in it so I pulled the motor and had it rebuilt got it back and the knock was still there but it had a lot better power, So I pulled it out again took it to another man and he rebuilt it got it back still knocking but had good power. I pulled it the 3rd time and went into it myself found the problem ( the counter balance rods were wore so I replaced them) While I had it down I went ahead and did the lift and put 22s on it. Now it seems to run good but it will not pull a hill absolutely no power but on flat ground it runs speed good. Any ideas where I have gone wrong? Thanks for any help Bit
bit Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12

10-14-2009, 06:58 PM	#2
highrollinmopars Gone Wild Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Beaufort SC Posts: 428	Re: FE 290 Problem Do you have good compression like the head gasket and all it tight?

10-14-2009, 07:26 PM	#3
bit Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	Re: FE 290 Problem roger that took it back out for the 4rth time and checked to make sure the timing was right and it too was dot on dot. Bit
bit Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12

10-14-2009, 07:34 PM	#4
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,406	Re: FE 290 Problem Have you done a compression test just for grins? Once we establish you have the correct compression we can move on to other parts of the drive equation.... like clutches and tire size/gear ratio vs hp?

10-14-2009, 07:57 PM	#5
tonyton Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,120	Re: FE 290 Problem Check the compression to be sure all is good, I think the new tires got you. If you still have your stock tires/wheels, install those for a test drive. The 22's will rob a lot of power, especially up hills. That would give a fair comparison of the true power as compared to before. I doubt, after 4 rebuilds and checks that something isn't right. I could be wrong, but I don't want you to chase a problem that may not exist.. Let me show you an example. The difference is huge. Stock tire= 18" 18(3.14)=56.52" Distance around the tire, or circumference. New tires=22" 22(3.14)=69.08 Circumference That's 22% increase in distance to travel for 1 revolution of the tire. It's more than 22% more weight and changes the gear ratio by 22% higher. That's 12.26 more inches of rubber for the motor to turn. Clutch mods and gear changes are sometimes desired to compensate for the gear ratio change.

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10-14-2009, 08:05 PM	#6
bit Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	Re: FE 290 Problem Yea the compression is real good I guess I was hoping the big tires would not have changed it that much. I will try the old ones in the A M Thanks Bit
bit Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12

10-14-2009, 08:07 PM	#7
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,406	Re: FE 290 Problem You could try the shorter belt trick to gain the power back

10-14-2009, 08:08 PM	#8
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,406	Re: FE 290 Problem You could try the shorter belt trick to gain the power back

10-14-2009, 08:39 PM	#9
bit Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12	Re: FE 290 Problem Not aware of that How does that work? Bit
bit Not Yet Wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 12

10-14-2009, 10:59 PM	#10
tonyton Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,120	Re: FE 290 Problem That will work. You need to measure your belt and order one one inch shorter. It will keep the clutches in the lower ratios. It will take a little top end off, but your cart should run faster anyway due to the tires. They are hard to get on, but they usually help. The shifter may be a little stiff until it breaks in.

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