550 Travis' Mule 550

[kenfain]

7 hours ago, Travis said:

What size rope would be best?  I saw a video on youtube of a guy using  trot line size rope, would a lead rope work better, or Paracord?

I'd probably go with the biggest that would fit in the spark plug hole first. It might take awhile to fill the cylinder with paracord. Anything that stops the piston from completing the stroke.

[Travis]

Rope trick worked! flywheel nut torqued to 63ft pounds.

 Now all i need to do is put the carb. on ( i cleaned it yesterday) and that should be it.

 

[kenfain]

Great! Glad to hear it! 

[Travis]

I need your opinion on a few things. Im planning to fire up the engine outside of the mule first, so i dont have to pull it back out in case something goes wrong.

 So, i need to hook up, gas and a way to start it, here are my ideas--- What do you think?

1. I'll hook the fuel pump up and put a line in the gas tank, and run it to the carb.

starting it. 2.,  I think i can mount the starter, and could i take the battery off and use jumper cables directly to the starter to start it??

 

[kenfain]

How are you planning on shutting it down in case of a problem ? The jumper cables should work to get it started though. 

[Travis]

1 hour ago, kenfain said:

How are you planning on shutting it down in case of a problem ? The jumper cables should work to get it started though. 

OOh, didnt think of that. i guess i could pull the spark plug boot off the plug. maybe...

 or if i can figure out a way to ground the magneto, like on a push mower. Fuel shut off valve would take too long......

I'll think on that.....

[Travis]

You know.... i have a spark tester for small engines, i might put the prong that plugs into the boot, and clip the other end to the  spark plug, so that way it won't get so hot... I don't know......

You're wit messed up my plan lol

 

[Travis]

I tested the battery today, reading 7.5 volts, gonna charge it up and see if it holds.

 I was going to slap the carb on today, and try and fire it up, but the storms are moving in and put a damper on my plans.

[Travis]

Got the battery hooked up and slow charging. Let it charge up this evening and see if it holds.

[Travis]

Raining Raining Raining......

 

[Travis]

Morning everyone!

Cold here.

I plan to put the carburetor on today, and maybe attempt to run it, depending on what the battery says.

I'll definitely post a video.

[Travis]

Battery is good I believe, took it off the charger last night and voltage hasnt dropped from 12.7 any.

[Travis]

Does this look right? The diagram from Kawsaki is no help.

I was going to install the carb. woops! Forgot to order carb gaskets!

[Travis]

[Travis]

I just had a VERY RARE occurance. i had a thought.

 I was going to use  a 2 foot wide by 3/4" plywood for the "test stand", BUT, here is my thought, that ply wood will fit on the frame (where the bed sits), and the wiring harness will reach up there, so i can set the engine on the back, and hook up everything it needs to run in a few minutes. and this will eliminate (maybe) any starting problems.

 I got to looking and the starter has 2 prongs with 1 grounding tab, and other things. It would be easier said than done. but this way it'll be much easier. hopefully done than said.

[kenfain]

Using the buggy's own wiring sounds like a plan. Let us know how it works.

[Travis]

4 minutes ago, kenfain said:

Using the buggy's own wiring sounds like a plan. Let us know how it works.

It'll be a couple of days, just ordered the carb gaskets. That's one thing  i like about Rocky mountain atv, over Babbitt's, you can choose your shipping speed.

I figured out i had the governor arm in the wrong spot, it's supposed to be on the other side of that stud.

[Travis]

Carb gaskets coming in tomorrow. FedEx usually delivers early here.

So I may run it tomorrow.

[Travis]

Possible snow for Conroe this Friday according to the weather man....

[Travis]

Its aliiiive!!!!!! I mean it runs!!! Fired up first time,  I ran it at varying speeds, and let it idle for a little bit, temperature stayed good on the head , no higher than160 degrees.

[kenfain]

Woohoo! I love it when it works out like it should. I can't hardly wait to see pictures of it down by the pond again. 

[Travis]

Tomorrow I'll hook my compression gauge up to it and see where it's at.

Probably once Christmas break starts I'll work on installing it.

But it kicks over in about a second and a half.

 

[Travis]

I'll post a video as soon as i figure out how to get it from my tablet, to my computer.

[kenfain]

Sounds llike you won't have to worry about that ignition coil just yet. But I'll bet there's at least one belt that could be changed, while you've got some easy access.

[Travis]

Yep, already have a new Dayco drive belt ready to be installed

[Travis]

Sound quality isnt good on my tablet. It sounds better in person.

How long does it/should it take piston rings to seal? asking since ive heard many opinion on that.

[kenfain]

The break in on a motor, seems to be based on the size of the motor. I've never heard it said that way, but it seems like it's less for a smaller engine. I've known many people over the years who've taken pains to be careful to stick to the break in procedure. Also those who used a "drive it like you stole it" approach. The stole it bunch won hands down every time, in performance. Because of this, I've always just changed the oil, and adjusted valves, and called it good. 

But I have to add, that a friend, and I had identical motorcycles once. One particular red light saw the perfect opportunity to see who's bike was faster. We both bought brand new, and the same year model. I'd really stuck to the break in recommendations. He was a no maintenance, drive it as fast as possible guy...and I was kinda surprised to see him leave me behind like I had a flat tire.

So I don't think I'd worry about it too much. Just don't get crazy, and there'll be no problem.

[Travis]

I usually drive only around 10 MPH anyway sometimes 15.

 I know our local small engine guru said not to put a load on it for a little while, as in loading the bed with 5 or 6 50 pound feed sacks, and dont rev it up for long periods.

 I'll just take it nice and   s    l   o  w.

 how long should i wait for oil change/  i know with break in oil you changer sooner than regular maintenance.

[Travis]

Got it back in the Mule, electric hooked up, stupid cosmetic covers out on, air filter hooked up, just need to put the gas tank in, and put the pulleys on.

I finally called it a day after bending over for the 10 billionth time.

[Travis]

ack!

I installed the transmission drive pulley, but i cant find the key for the Crankshaft pulley. I've looked in the bed where i had some parts, nope not there, then i looked in the box and ziploc bags where i put all the bolts and labeled them, not their either! guess ill order a new one,  i installed the fuel tank and pump, i have new fuel line, but it only fits from the pump to the carb,  from the tank to the fuel filter is a different size and local parts store didnt have any the right size. and the old fuel line is dry rotted. and the fuel line i need is about 6:" long and costs 24 bucks.

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