When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.
I’m new so take it easy on me… I inherited a 78FXE from my father when he passed. It ran in October of 2019 then sat in Florida until may of this year when I brought it to CT. I have rebuilt the SS carb, changed plugs/wires and tested for spark (it’s getting spark). He had upgraded to electronic points with a Crane Cams HI-4 so I adjusted the timing to the best of my ability having the TDC mark just coming into the window and adjusting the HI4. Gets gas(fresh) spark and air. Chased down wires and nothing is disconnected/broken. Also, when trying to start it, it just cranks, no sputter or anything like it is trying to start. Any ideas?
Last edited by 78FXEBlue; Jul 3, 2021 at 10:23 AM.
I’m new so take it easy on me… I inherited a 78FXE from my father when he passed. It ran in October of 2019 then sat in Florida until may of this year when I brought it to CT. I have rebuilt the SS carb, changed plugs/wires and tested for spark (it’s getting spark). He had upgraded to electronic points with a Crane Cams HI-4 so I adjusted the timing to the best of my ability having the TDC mark just coming into the window and adjusting the HI4. Gets gas(fresh) spark and air. Chased down wires and nothing is disconnected/broken. Also, when trying to start it, it just cranks, no sputter or anything like it is trying to start. Any ideas?
Spark at the right time comes to mind, you seem to have other parameters covered. But I would suspect fuel, since you had carb off. The only other thing not mentioned that is needed is compression. You have some?
dumb questions that need answers.
is the battery fully charged and load tested?
is the fuel valve turned on?
i'm assuming the run stop switch is on cause your cranking and getting spark.
if those things are correct, maybe timing, have you done a compresion test?
m
one more thing i forgot,,,,,if you ae running single fire igntion, make sure that your plug wires ae not crossed. front to front and rear to rear. you can confirm this is you have the wiring diagram for the ignition and coil set up, make sure the trigger wire for the coil and the plug wire are assigned to the correct cylinder,,,,,should be in the installation instructions.
m
I will need to get a guage to check compression, carb is getting gas as I pulled the bowl plug to verify, as far as the wiring, I have changed none of it other than the plug wires, all other wiring is the same my father had it from when he was riding it. I feel like compression may be it since I have a thought the rings are bad, I will try to attach a photo of the old plugs I pulled giving me that conclusion.
Last edited by 78FXEBlue; Jul 3, 2021 at 12:39 PM.
Reason: Add info, battery is new and fully charged
if you are trying to get it started with THOSE plugs, that might be your issue, as they look like crap. did you try it with a new set, properly gapped?
m
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
78FXE no start
