WELLLLL...
So here's my rather embarrassing (but still happy) follow up.
Long story short, it is now running pretty well and it's because I guess I just didn't have enough fuel in the tank!
;-P
I was only putting in relatively small amounts from a can, about half a gallon, as I was anticipating maybe having to drain it all at some point to work on it. I could see gas sloshing around, but below the level of the "hump" in the tank. But I thought that was enough to run, and of course for awhile it was. I also didn't see why being low on fuel would cause it to rev up high before quitting, or why playing with the choke would get it running again.
I did start by pulling the line from the petcock, and gas came out only intermittently. AHA! But it didn't seem clogged. A flashlight inspection of the inside showed me I was now really low, so I decided to just put more gas in. This time I put in more than ever before, maybe a gallon, figuring I'd be running it through into a jar or pan, and voila! Now a steady stream trickled through. Put the line back on. Sure enough, started running solid and quit stalling out!
I've since been told that having too much air space in the tank can create the same effect as a vacuum leak? And that "fume buildup" can cause it to eventually start by choking when it is in this condition? That you should never let it get below about 1/4 full? Makes sense to me. Sound right to all you wiser folks?
ANYWAY, it now runs much as before. Eventually the tank needs re-lined, will pull it this fall/winter. Still pretty sure I have electrical issues, doesn't seem to be keeping the battery charged, but I knew that might be a possibility going in, and anticipate a whole new wiring harness at some point in the future. The distribution box is a pretty splicy mess. I'll need someone to help me with that I'm sure.
But I now again feel confident the engine is sound and this is a good candidate for more restoration. Do have an oil leak, probably the seal around the drive sprocket, but also knew that when I got it, so not too worried. A few drops when hot is all, really none when cold.
So again, thanks for the help. I feel kind of stupid, but rather that than a REAL problem! Fingers crossed...
NewbieOR NOT......sadly, my luck has again run out.
After two or three sessions of running well, today I started it up, all quick and well as usual, go to the end of my street, and stopped... and so did the engine. I mean suddenly and TOTALLY dead... THIS time it seems different. Now it won't start AT ALL - not even a sputter. Lots of fuel of course :-), and it's flowing fine, pulled the line and checked. Acts like no spark, but battery seems charged too, and it started without one anyway, just wouldn't keep going good. I really have no ideas. May not be cut out for this after all. I just think I'm not getting spark.
TOTALLY dead. How do I check? Multimeter says battery's fine. Lights, horn all working. Fuse good. Spark plug wires on tight. But it IS like some wire just pulled loose and killed it, although I can't see one. Of course I'm woefully ignorant about electrical, and the wiring on this is a splicy mess. The distrubution box has old cloth tape on many wires. Pulled the headlight, wires to the ignition seem OK, but a mess in there too, and the re-done headlight mod is loose, had to re-tape that to get the headlight back as it came loose just taking it off. Sigh...
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