compression on 1958 Elgin 2hp is 65psi cold...

Texwing

Cadet
Joined
May 15, 2009
Messages
28
Apparantly I am going to do nothing else till I get this little motor running right or throw it in the trash, so your continued help is appreciated. There are moments when it runs well, which causes me to think the basic motor is Ok, and then moments where it will just sputter and not start, and then moments I have to struggle to keep it running and wont take full throttle well. Grrrrr. Fire and Fuel OK, at least as far as I can check, carb is very clean. Two points of help:

Cold compression, carb dismounted, turning over with drill: 65PSI cold, how does that sound? Did it several times, compression comes up fast and consistent.

Have spark, but not impressive. Thought I would change out the original condenser,does anyone have a auto parts store substitute replacement number? Wont any condenser work ok? coil and wire look great, no cracks, new j11 plug, consistent fire, points cleaned and set to .20, but I am suspicious of some gremlin somewhere. thanks for all the help on other posts.
 

tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: compression on 1958 Elgin 2hp is 65psi cold...

That's okay compression for a little one-lunger. Sounds like your coil is dropping out after it's been run awhile. Did you pull the coil and examine it all around? Or could be the condensor like you said. There is a way to test condensors/capacitors, but can't remember the drill. Is the plug wire original wire-core wire?
 

Texwing

Cadet
Joined
May 15, 2009
Messages
28
Re: compression on 1958 Elgin 2hp is 65psi cold...

Thanks, yes I would like to get that drill on testing. I did not pull the coil, but gosh it looks like new, no cracks or imperfections, and I dont think the stator had ever been pulled. I am going to go back and look at the electrical stuff real hard, in any case.
 
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