Heymow - Lawnmower Racing Forum

Engine Help => Honda and Clone Engines => Topic started by: finn1 on March 24, 2013, 08:00:46 pm

Title: new to hondas
Post by: finn1 on March 24, 2013, 08:00:46 pm
Is removing a governor from a gx 390 the same as a gx 160 or a gx 200? I plan on running stock for now until I can afford to upgrade. besides stiffer valve springs and a billet flywheel is there anything i'm missing to keep it stock? this is for pro x class. thanks for your help guys once again.i guess you don't learn if you don't ask. thanks bob
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: Darkviper on March 24, 2013, 08:27:24 pm
ill be carful about rod and what kinda rockers you got iv seen gx390 clone droped a valve at a race before.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: finn1 on March 24, 2013, 08:50:39 pm
i planned on running stock rockers for now.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: Darkviper on March 24, 2013, 08:52:43 pm
Im kinda new to clones to so im with u but i herd the rods are weakest link but i dont think so in one im getting.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: finn1 on March 24, 2013, 09:07:11 pm
this is a gx390 not a clone although one in the same. it still leads me back to my original question. Is removing a governor from a gx 390 the same as a gx 160 or a gx 200? I plan on running stock for now until I can afford to upgrade. besides stiffer valve springs and a billet flywheel is there anything i'm missing to keep it stock? this is for pro x class. thanks for your help guys once again.i guess you don't learn if you don't ask. thanks bob
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: Darkviper on March 24, 2013, 09:10:09 pm
Like i said again its rod that gives out from what i herd finn.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: finn1 on March 24, 2013, 09:31:04 pm
gotcha anything else I should be aware of?
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: cubcadet70 on March 24, 2013, 09:54:19 pm
Wouldn't worry about the rod much. I was running 12.9:1 compression ratio yesterday on my stock pulling tractor and its still good. I have a rod bearing in it tho. That's the only way 'Ive got the stock rod to live without galling up the crank at 6800 RPMs. Also if your gonna take the balancing shaft out, make sure you take the bearings out in both ends! I'm senting my head back to the shop to get milled some more to 15:1 compression ratio  :woo:  and probality upgrate the rod to a steel Honda rod that has rod bearings in it. I have to run stock parts. And they allow head work but no welding! I was lucky to get that much compression ratio. I ain't telling no secrets on here!  :roll: lol
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: Jeremy_Conley on March 25, 2013, 12:10:31 pm
I've always ran a stock rod in mine with the govenor removed. Also runing billet flywheel, mild cam, but I've upgraded the rocker arms. On the rod I open the oiling hole a tad and add a chamfer around it.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: finn1 on March 25, 2013, 07:19:00 pm
so I have heard replace the rod to I run stock rod. what if all I did was remove the governor and add stiffer valve springs would I be ok?
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: Jim Knutson on March 25, 2013, 09:54:02 pm
so I have heard replace the rod to I run stock rod. what if all I did was remove the governor and add stiffer valve springs would I be ok?
not without using a billet flywheel....no governor means no stock flywheel.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: finn1 on March 25, 2013, 09:57:17 pm
yes of course a billet flywheel. ( :doh: thanks jim) so lets try this again. billet flywheel, remove the govnor, and stiffer valve springs, I should be good then right?
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: Jeremy_Conley on March 26, 2013, 01:56:41 pm
I don't think your going to find anyone that will give you a yes or no answer. Anything can and will break eventually. With a little prep work and keeping them under 6000rpm I've had them last 2 seasons. Telling you exactly how long they will last is like predicting how long a light bulb will last before it blows.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: birdman_express on March 26, 2013, 02:07:58 pm
Telling you exactly how long they will last is like predicting how long a light bulb will last before it blows.

Even the best stock parts, and Honda having probably one of the best stock parts,
you can have one go sitting in the garage, or spin them til you have a rod knock
in a race. You do what you can, and try to keep it conservative, and have some fun.

and try to keep it conservative, and have some fun.

Conservative to a racer is like holding a tootsie pop in your mouth and not biting it..... sooner or later, it's gunna happen.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: vegascarts on March 29, 2013, 11:18:46 am
Has anyone actually had a stock flywheel fail?
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: rceagle1a on March 29, 2013, 12:51:22 pm
Geoff, by our rules we have to run a billet wheel on all engines without governed control. There have been wheel failures when rpms approach 6-7000 rpm.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: birdman_express on March 29, 2013, 10:20:54 pm
Has anyone actually had a stock flywheel fail?

Yes
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: finn1 on May 13, 2013, 08:44:29 am
ok I picked up an arc rod on to the rockers next. what do you all recommend? ( rockers) then billet flywheel. thanks bob
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: Darkviper on May 13, 2013, 12:11:47 pm
I recommend rockers and if its 390 clones make sure you get stronger guide plate because they like to get worn out and then cause problems.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: finn1 on May 13, 2013, 02:56:28 pm
thanks for the tip. its not a clone, where is the best place to buy rockers? thanks bob
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: Darkviper on May 14, 2013, 12:18:28 pm
Either A you can spend alot money for roller rockers either NRracing have some and i think Parsons racing do to. Or B get some shaft mounted rockers from vegas karts. Its 35 dollar ones.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: finn1 on May 14, 2013, 01:02:18 pm
thanks darkviper, these Hondas are totally new to me. I think i'm making it worse than it is. thanks again bob
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: amr5080 on May 15, 2013, 06:35:14 am
I broke a set of the stronger rockers. Went to raceseng rollers and haven't bad any problems.
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: finn1 on May 15, 2013, 09:15:07 pm
thanks to all who applied there expertise to this post. I feel like a kid again taking something apart, waiting for all kind of springs and stuff to come flying apart. if I have more questions I will be sure to post. again thanks bob.............................I have to figure out gearing yet????????????
Title: Re: new to hondas
Post by: Darkviper on May 16, 2013, 03:32:34 am
Im with you there finn iv got work on find my gearing with my fxs lol. If you can get stronger guide plate if your using one thats another down fall iv seen.