Custom Dator in the Making

[JDXspec]

Well I have been working on a dator clone Much Like KWC. Been planning for quite awhile (like a yr or 2) Now I got my dator restored I hate to wreck that so the clone comes in to play. Built on a 76 LF frame with a dator hood. I decided on an 88 A/C Wildcat 650 powerplant. Used the W/C pipes slightly modded to fit the chassis. The front radiator is out of a 80 LF for the true dator radiator. Most parts will still be JD though. so far I have been mostly working under the hood.

[S_Kyle]

Doesn't look like there's alot of room under the hood for those pipes. I might suggest some insulation on the mag side pipe to save the hood. Looks good though.

[JDXspec]

Pipes are a bit tight. They do have some clearance. But the pipes will be coated and the hood will have reflective heat sheilding under the hood.

[JDXspec]

Well after lots of work it lives. Pics are a bit blurry but who cares?

[nick80lf]

Looks like a nice project.

[JDXspec]

Well got it outside and driving after having some carb issues. Overall it was a good day. still has tuning issues and my tach doesn't quite work right yet and I need the correct belt. But it seems to run pretty well its a rocket once it get wound up. And the hood still fits!

[JDXspec]

Ok boys now I need some tech advice.

First off, the tach will only read up to about 5000 rpms. (both the AC and JD tach) both read the same. would a voltage regulator cause this? The eng sounds like its running faster than 5000.

Second, when driving it will accelerate well then wham..... it feels like you loose a cyl. The eng will stay running (you have to work at it) it will idle fine for awhile then away you go again till you get a ways and it does it over again. Its carb related but could it be a needle/seat, choke or just jetting? The Pto cyl seems to flood out.

thanks in advance

[Ropeburn]

Swap carbs and see if problem follows.
Is the pulse on the PTO side?If so could be a pump issue.

[JDXspec]

This has twin single outlet pumps so both cyls run a fuel pump. I did swap carbs and the prob seemed to follow the carb.

[JDXspec]

Well I got somewhere tonite. I got the needle and seat put in. and installed new carb boots. Found the new carb boots won't seal to the eng so I had to put the old ones back on. I had installed the A/C volt regulator and it must not work because i blew all my bulbs. On the Plus side the JD tach now seems to work properly. the eng runs up to about 7500 rpms and it read consistantly The new needle and seat didn't do anything for the eng flooding. I think the top end is just too rich I can run for abit and it will run great then it slowly starts losing power (like its flooding) I stop let it idle (kinda missing) and it will slowly clean itself out and run good again. make a run and it does it over. SOOOOO...... I think I will drop my jet needle and adj the main jets see if that will help. when the eng runs (properly) holy crap it wants to fly.....

If anyone has any better ideas feel free to chime in.

[JDT]

Was the new voltage regulator rated for this engines output?
Vintage sleds often had only 75 watts or less rating.

Newer eninges can put out 150 or more watts.

[Dator76]

NICE!!!

[JDXspec]

Well, Progess has been slow lately But I am getting there. I got most of the eng problems solved(at least till next yr) I managed to get 13 miles on the speedo. I upgraded the susp to an 80 LF for more travel and less weight it went in easily the hood is finally mounted and I think paint will be applied to it this week. now that it works time to tear it all apart and paint it! I hope this is the easy part.

[JDXspec]

I guess theres no turning back now.....

tore down ready for paint (after a good cleaning) The goal... have it ready for Milbank. Can I make it Todd?

[JDT]

It'll be there. I will help you unload it.