Re: So your HT won't start, well let's take a look
Well, when stuck, go back to basics. To get it to start you must have 3 things, fuel, spark, and compression. Since you just replaced the cylinder and piston, it leads me to suspect a problem with compression. You might have an air leak somewhere. First, the head gasket should be replaced because it must conform to the piston to make a good seal and what works with the old piston doesn't always seal correctly with a new one. Second, also make sure that the head is sitting flat against the top of the tub and is torqued down enough to seal the head. Third, make certain that the cylinder is sitting all the way down and flat against the gasket for the bottom end. Four, you might consider removing the cylinder and make certain that the piston rings are sitting in correctly. They should be lined up and pinch together against the grooves on the piston as you slide the cylinder over the piston, it can be kinda tricky. Another common place for air leaks is at the intake manifold both at the engine intake and where the carb connects to it, usually you will see small leaks of oil and gas if you have a leak here. It's best to test the spark with an ohm meter but you can check if you are getting a spark at all by turning off the lights and checking it in the dark so you can see the spark. As far as the carb, take it apart and clean it, make certain that the jet is not clogged and is securely screwed in, make sure that the float is filling with gas and isn't leaking. Sometimes just taking things apart and putting them back together can solve a problem even if you never find out exactly what it was, Also, anytime you replace the piston and or rings you should mix your gas with more oil and follow break in procedures again. Part of breaking an engine in is getting the piston rings to set properly so take it easy on the throttle for the first few tanks of gas.Hmm good call Tyler, I haven't replaced head gasket but did get a bottom gasket along with jug and piston with upper needle bearing and wrist pin. As far as spark haven't been about to confirm sparking I will have to take an ohm reader to magnito and ignition. I've got a NGK bp7hs that isn't even a month old with minimal carbon build up but guess there's a chance of it being foul if ohms check out. And for carb, is there any specific methods for checking good flow?