340 Cyclone Won't Start

[ski]

I've got to solder new wires and connections on before I attempt to start it again. Not a big deal but a pita reaching down in there and trying to solder. I have to eliminate 3 splices and that leaves me with shorter leads coming out of the engine case from stator housing therefore less room to work. I'll get it. More snow coming!

[ski]

Pulled Motor and resoldered and installed good quality plug ins for CDI/Stator wires. No raw gas in crankcase. It looks like you have to pull the whole axial fan housing to pull the flywheel since it looks like the electric start ring gear won't clear....correct ? If so I will do this to double check stator plate location. Can you replace crank seals without splitting case? Figured it might be a possibility snce I am into it this far if it isn't too involved. That way I could eliminate the seal problem.

[JDT]

Just few bolts and the fan housing comes right off.

If in doubt, new seals are a good idea.

[400brian]

The seals can be replaced without splitting the case. Be careful not to nick the shaft, and it will take a bit of messing around to get the seal started straight.

[ski]

Here's the result guys. I ended up putting new seals in. Resealed around the reed valves and carb. Put the motor back in and hooked everything up. Shot some starting fluid in cylinders. Put in new plugs and pulled it over. NOTHING! Not even a backfire....I remember people saying if it backfired then the plug wires could be crossed.
Checked for strong spark again...got good spark. So what could I Iose by crossing the spark plug wires and giving it a go. It was a stretch but I was able to plug them in. Gave it a pull and ..........VAROOM. IT LIVES!!! Ran for a couple seconds and quit. Pulled coils and switched them around. Okay I'm making progress. Now it runs but not for long. My 440 had a bad pick up line in the tank. So I pulled it and sure enough after 33 years this one has disintregated (go figure). I pulled tank and washed it out good and also found two stones in it (is that a factory added item???)...Added new fuel and she runs great. Since all the snow is gone now I am going to get the seat recovered and try to get that secondary off it to recondition that also. Thanks again for all the help.

[harleysportster]

Ski,
Glad to hear you solved your issues.