carb and governor adjustment

[argz 0]

I just got my Big Ten running for the first time in about 25 years. I rebuilt the carb, cleaned out the fuel tank, hooked up a battery and it fired up without much difficulty. I can get it to idle fine with the idle mixture screw, but when I try to adjust the high speed mixture screw it falls on it's face and the governor kicks in opening and closing the throttle making me realize I don't know what I'm doing. Can anyone give me some insight as to what to do with the governor to get the carb adjusted, and then how to adjust the governor?

[DaveL 0]

Would echo those thoughts. Try that first. Could also be that the linkage spring may be hooked to the wrong hole on the gov. lever. I did that once and moving the spring back and forth solved the surging. Also need the follow the setting procedure carefully cause I've noticed on mine that the main needle is very sensitive and will easily get a surge if too rich. Think its really trial and error

[argz 0]

Thanks John and Dave.. The whole carb was soaked in carb cleaner, rinsed and blown out with compressed air. Quite frankly when I was cleaning it I was wondering what I was doing, it was probably the cleanest carb I have ever rebuilt. As far as the linkage springs go, they could very well be in the wrong holes. I think I should probably cough up the loot for a manual, after all I strongly encourage do it yourselfers to buy motorcyle repair manuals from me. Anybody have a recommendation for a good manual?

[argz 0]

Rich, I have the manual from briggs ...it has a step by step procedure for setting up the carb. I'll make a copy and get in touch with you. This should be what you need. Gene

[johnmonkey 4]

It sounds like the needle valve might be sticking. Did you use carb cleaner to blow out the seat? Was the float replaced? did the float have any fluid in it? Just some thoughts good luck. John H

[MPH 12]

As for a manual I'll recomend you get a original Briggs service and repair manual. Had mine so long I don't have a clue where I got it but there is a good briggs link on this fine Site of Kents.. How come it run in 25 years?? That could almost make it a "new" tractor..MPH

[argz 0]

thanks gene and mph.... to answer your question on why it hasn't run, mph, my father bought it used in 1970 or so when we had a yard big enough to need it to mow the grass, he thinks he paid about $400 for it with the mower and a pretty cheesy cart that has long since rusted to nothing. 2 years later we moved to suburban nj where the postage stamp size yard was just plain too small for it, so into the garage it went and sat except for when we used it to plow snow a couple times in the late 70's. now that i have a house with a garage, i grabbed it and brought it home to bring it back to life. the biggest debate is whether or not to completely restore it, or just clean it up and use it as is. but for now, the immediate goal is to get the carb and governor adjusted- rich