09-06-2018, 01:17 PM
Next, I have just not been able to get the engine to run correctly. It would occasionally put out white smoke, the plugs are just black no matter how much I lean out the idle screws. I've only driven it around the block twice so all the other run time has been idle/non load in the driveway. I pulled the plugs, yes, all are black, and put one of those scopes down the plug hole to have a look. Pistons are shiny new looking, hone marks are still on the walls. I attached the mirror and looked up at the combustion chamber and all I can see is black. Not soot black, but rough bumpy black. I pulled the carb, turned it over and checked the transition slots. They look to be within spec, not tipping into the mains at idle. Pull the bowls off and find 75 jets in the front, 76 jets in the rear. Too big for my motor. Power valve is a 4.8, which might be too small, but I'll leave it for now. I've ordered 5 sets of smaller jets, 73, 71, 69, 67, and 65. Overall the carb is clean.
I pulled the intake and heads. All 8 pistons look perfect.

Each combustion chamber is full of black residue, in the chamber and out the exhaust ports. I have to wire wheel the chambers, valves to get most of it off. Feels like old hard gum. Engine cleaner and a brass brush are used to finish cleaning the chambers and the ports are soaking in engine cleaner.

Oil is clean, the cooling system is clean. I was running a 190 deg thermostat with the Evens Waterless but am going to drop it to a 160 deg as it seemed to me everything in the engine compartment was getting way too hot (hot to the touch) and the hottest I ever saw the engine get up to was 217 deg. Seems the radiator does not have a problem dissipating the heat, so I'll let it start cooling earlier instead of waiting till the engine is up to 190.