Need help with 16hp Tecumseh

[Captain]

I have a mid 80's Argo 8x8 with the 16hp Tecumseh in it. Just can't seem to run the greatest. I'm thinking it should be better then this.
I did replace the throttle cable yesterday and put on a thumb throttle. It returns nicely and i feel I have the cable adjusted properly. But heres where I'm not so sure on the set up of the carb. After I push the choke back in to turn it off it idles fine. I go to give it a shot of gas and most of the time it bogs down and dies. I end up doing this a number of times until I keep it going then it runs fine but then the idle is a bit too high. This is when I get the grinding. I end up turning the machine off to switch gears at this point. I looked at the manual for the set up on the carb. Its a walbro that has a fuel pump mounted on the firewall. The manual calls for the main adjustment screw to be 1-1/2 out from seat. I then turned the Screw in to see where it was set at. 4 turns later and it was seated. Runs like crap. Put it back to the 4 turns out. I can only find the idle srew on the top of the carb and I'm guessing the screw below with the spring is the main? Any ideas??
Also when the transmission is in neutral and I rev it up the belt will come up to the top of the primary clutch. While driving it it dosent even come up half way. Should it be coming all the way for more speed or is this normal?

[amphibious drew]

It sounds like you have the fixed high speed carb with only 1 adjustment. have you cleaned the carb and replaced all fuel lines including you in tank pick up line? It sounds like it could be getting clogged up. If your main engine components are good, I would suggest simply parting it out on eBay and buying a vanguard 18. At one point I had a oh160 in my trail rig and one on my bench and payed for my vanguard upgrade by parting both out.

[Dave Smith]

I'd agree with Drew. I've got the OH160 in my MaxII. It has always been a pain to start, idles lousy, and I can't relax around it because it don't trust it. Now its not charging the battery. Gotta say great torque though. Caught a sapling once and drove to vertical before I stopped. I'm gonna look for a new engine. Captain, I do suggest pulling the carb, stripping it down and soak in carb cleaner. Do the same for the auto-pulse fuel pump. then put in a repair kit for each. New fuel lines like Drew said and it should be better. Check your fuel tank also. These things helped me. Good luck.

[Captain]

I changed the fuel and ran a carb cleaner through it as well. I know its not the same as taking it apart. Ive got the fuel pump thats on the firewall, does that come apart? it looks sealed. what you described sounds like mine to a T.

[Dave Smith]

Wow, I just reread your origional post and it sounds dead on to what mine was doing. Now if I had any kind of memory I could tell you exactly what I did to resolve it. Alas, I can't remember what I had for supper last night let alone what I did with the engine. Sounds like you've got the tecumsah manual for it, that helps. I pulled my engine when I rebuilt the Max. I bought a new gas tank, (the origional was rusting out) replaced the fuel lines. Removed the carb and disassembled it, soaked it for a day or two in a gallon of carb cleaner. I got that from NAPA. It did a great job. It even came with a strainer to lower and lift the parts in and out. The carb was full of varnish and crud because it had sat for 5+/- years. I also disassembled the fuel pump. Mine is a Walbro auto-pulse that connects to the carb and uses a pulse from the engine to pump fuel. I dipped those pieces also. Bought and installed repair kits for both. I pulled the valve cover off and checked/adjusted the valve lash to specs. Now I am no engine guy, so I just did what the manual said. Unfortuneatly sometimes there aren't easy fixes and you have to tear into it. These engines are pushing 30 years and they need attention. There's alot of guys on this site with alot more knowledge than me, so look at the older posts about the OH160. There's alot of great suggestions. Ran around in the Max last night. Of course it didn't want to start. A shot of starting fluid and it fired right up. Then it ran fine....of course it still isn't charging....That will be another day.

[swfleur]

Hi Captain - The tecumseh is a good engine - I have the OH 18 in my Max II - I did have some issues with it at first and tore into the carb and the engine - Mine was hard starting and I found the 2 valves needed adjustment -I also ripped my choke lever off and had to replace it - then I tore up my throttle lever and had to get a basic bicycle style lever and cable and it works great It was so hard to turn over because the timing had gotten off of when the valves lift and when they seat again. Compression was crazy high - Ended up burning out a starter before I found the valve issue - BUT - dont go to the valves if you dont have to - Keep it simple first and you may get an easy fix - Definitely pull of the carb take it apart and clean out all the gunk and spray air in the holes and make sure all the parts are good with no tears in diaphragm or etc- The engine has more torque and power than my buddies twin 20 hp briggs - Hopefully you will find good results if you clean the carb and - your fuel pump is usally just a rubber bladder inside the carb that acts like a bellows - it takes pressure from the engine pumping and creates a "push" to the carb fuel pump - a common issue with poor idle or crappy running is that the hose for the pump ( the one going from the engine block to the carb fuel pump port ) that hose might have cracks or be loose and you are not getting consistent push on the carb pump. And dont forget to pick up a new fule filter for 4 bucks at the auto parts store - get a clear see through type and mount hang it so it fills up ( with the inlet side on top and the outlet side on bottom - closer to the engine is better - this way the fuel filter is never starved for fuel because it acts like a small reservoir and fills up due to the gravity working with the flow arrow. you will be able to know if the fuel is getting out of the tank and into your carb
Dave -
With regard to the charging - I found my regulator rectifier connections were loose - Ebay sometimes has them for sale if you find yours is bad -I think it's a simple 2 wire connector mounted near the engine shroud - the rectifier is mounted to the shroud so that that the flywheel keeps it cool with the fins creating a breeze during motor running

[Dave Smith]

Thanks swfleur, I'll check my connections and ohm out the stator etc maybe this weekend. I've got a lead on a reg/rect and stator. We'll see what happens. I like the idea re:the filter position.