1966 SA 200 issues

[Abeofspades]

Hello weldingweb. I’ve been using these forums to help myself figure out some machine issues I’ve been having but now I’m at a point where getting direct answers would be my best option. I’ll try to keep it short and to the point.

So I bough a 1966 redface last winter. It would turn but it wouldn’t run. I didn’t do much with it until I had a truck/built my bed for my truck. I just recently finished up the rig bed and I’ve been trying to focus more on getting the machine running. (Keeping in mind Im 22 and don’t have a lot of experience with the mechanical side of the machine) I started by putting a rebuild kit in the FM mag bought off BW parts, referring to their instructional video. I brought the machine to a local shop to have it timed properly and further diagnose what the machine needed. He said it ran, but the carb would spit up after a few minutes and the machine would die, and if that didn’t do the trick it would overheat. . I put in a new float and needle and seat. I also put in a new radiator. I got the machine to run but it still overheated. So I put in a new thermostat and that solved that issue. It then would run good minus a small cough. I let it run for 10 minutes or so with no issue. At that point I tried to weld with it. It struck an arc but when it kicked into high idle is started to run like crap, coughing and spittering and backfiring every so often. I haven’t really touched it because I’m not sure what the issue actually is. Is it still a carb issue? A governor issue? Or an idler issue?

I tried to run it yesterday, it started up smoother than ever but after a few minutes it started spitting out of the carb again. I’m kind of at loss at this point and any help would be greatly appreciate

[Pipeliner]

When you say spitting out the carb, do you mean gas is coming out the air inlet side of the carburetor?

[Abeofspades]

Yeah that’s exactly what’s happening

[duaneb55]

Couple things come to mind.

Cross fire due to bad wires or cracked mag distributor cap. Did you change either of these with the mag work?
Valve (intake) clearance too small and closing up as the engine warms.
Plugged/restricted main jet in carb.

[CAVEMANN]

Welcome young man!

[Abeofspades]

I did change the cap, plugs and wires but the wires I got came from Napa and they’re not exactly the length they should be, I’ve been meaning to buy the right ones. Could that perhaps cause an issue?

[Sparkie1957]

Are your new wires solid core? Magneto ignition systems need solid core wires not like the ones for automobiles


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[Abeofspades]

They very well could not be. I’ll look into it. Thanks for the input!

[Sparkie1957]

Not sure if that’s your issue but you need to be aware of it


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[Abeofspades]

I appreciate the info nonetheless I bought the set from an auto parts store so there’s a chance that could be it

[Sparkie1957]

I have a 1966 Redface as well. Sweet machines!


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[Abeofspades]

I was super excited when I first got mine fired up. I’m antsy to figure out all these little issues and get it running and welding like it should

[Abeofspades]

[Sparkie1957]

I know the feeling. Just take your time, read all you can and ask questions. When you rush things it's possible to mess up. I know I do. Here's a before/after on my barn find



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[Abeofspades]

Very cool. Looks nice and clean