Meh Max too

[Rowdy]

John-
I have tried posting pictures but can?t seem to do it off my phone. Are you the one who I spoke with on YouTube?

[john swenson]

i don't think so ...not sure how to post pics , i'm pretty limited on computer stuff jboy

[Rowdy]

I got home and installed an electronic ignition along with a digital RPM gauge/hr meter. I need to adjust the carb more because it back fired when I test drove it.

Worked on the hinges some more. I finished up the welding and started greasing the ones that had cooled off. By changing my design, I cut almost 50% of the weight. I hope to finish the tracks up completely then install them on Friday.

[john swenson]

that's awesome ...i hope someone will come on here and guid you thru how to post pics . i'm looking forward to seeing your tracks . take some good pics , thanks ...and happy thanksgiving johnboy va.

[Rowdy]

This briggs and stratton engine in the Max is retarded. Today it?s decided that it doesn?t want to fire with the plug wire attached to the spark plug. If I detach it and wedge it 1/4? off the spark pug, it fires up and runs fine.

Brand new plug
Brand new electronic coil

You guys know what the heck is going on with it? Any ideas?

I?m thinkin maybe the carb is running rich and fouling the plug, by removing the plug wire it?s causing the coil to generate a hotter spark which is making it through the carbon on the plug..

[ARGOJIM]

Could it be? Lol
Bad spark plug wire, grounding out?

[Rowdy]

That?s entirely possible, Jim! I changed the coil and spark plug out at the same time because it was doing the same thing. It started up and ran like a champ for half an hour or so. I shut it down and the next morning it was doing it again. I did use a cheap chrinees plug though. I?ll be replacing the plug Friday when I get home, to test my theory of the crappy plug going out because it was hot and then cooled too quickly. If that doesn?t fix it then it will have to be the plug wire or coil.

I?m just confused because it will run just fine if the plug wire can arc onto the top of the spark plug.

[Rowdy]

I finished assembling the tracks and installed them. I made a couple doughnuts and went for a test drive around the house. I didn?t make it past the first turn lol. The Driver side track came right off. I had the tires all at 5 psi. I?m going to pull the tire guides and flip them around so the 4? side is up. I was afraid to install them that way because I didn?t know it 3? of contact with the track was enough. I guess I have no choice now Ha Ha Ha.

[Facemelter]

When I built my tracks I went through quite a bit of trial and error to get them right. My tire guides are 3" so that may not be your problem. Getting the length right is probably the most critical part. I run my tires at 6 ,7,6 psi for my tracks and It seams to do well. Biggest problem I have is in the spring when the warmer weather pressurized the tires more and I forget to check. That's when the tracks seam to want to walk off. Tires are duro mud and snow with half the knobbies cut off, and tracks are steel angle iron "ladder" style with conveyor belting on either side and tire guides welded to the grousers

[john swenson]

same with my homebuilt tracks ..trial and error then some tweeks here and there , then they work . but i've seen adair mud tracks peel off too . the right conditions and angle can do it . still it's fun !! jboy

[Rowdy]

Thanks guys! I?ll measure them to see if they?re different lengths and get a low pressure gauge. I tried to get them all at 5 psi. What should they be at?

[Facemelter]

Mine run nice at 6,7,6 . It's an argo vanguard 2. It's all about finding the balance between the tracks being not so loose as yo slip , and not so tight as to kill bearings and axles. In my case not so tight/tires inflated, that the tires are too rounded in profile to hold the tracks on.

[Rowdy]

I put the track back on, took it for another test drive. I got 3/4 way around the house before it fell off this time lol. I made sure the tires were 5,6,5. The tire guides look like they have about 3/4? of space between them and the tires. Should they be touching the tires or have some space?

I can?t help but think the tire guides are too short. Maybe I could get one of those grinder blades from Harbor Freight that?s wrapped in a chainsaw chain, then cut off all the rubber nobbs from the inside of the tracks?

[Facemelter]

My tire guides are touching the tires both sides at all times. I would defidently cut the knobs off the inside of your track if they are causing the wheels to ride up higher.

[Rowdy]

After thinking about it all night, I?m gonna reinstall the track and try running the tires at a lower psi. I?m gonna try 3/5/3 and see if that helps. I reread your last post Facemelter and 5/6/5 may have my tires rounded out too much, they?re rawhides.

Edit: I also replaced the chinee spark plug with a Champion plug. It’s starting up and running fine now. We’ll see what it does today.

I appreciate the help, everyone!