Need some engine help!

[ArmyGenerator]

Hi,

First post here. Looking for some help with a 1963 Continental engine in an old Kurtz type army generator.

I bought this generator at a small town auction 10 years ago and it has run FLAWLESSLY ever since. Runs the whole house with ease...

Until now.

The engine is a 4 Cylinder Continental (flat head) with an updraft carb. The carb has been completely cleaned, the fuel pump is working fine and the engine does start, but it is VERY lazy and will not come up to RPM. (2200). The exhaust is getting very hot, as does the water temperature very quickly...

It appears to me that the ignition timing is very retarded, but this engine has a magneto device in which I am not at all familiar. The magneto is a fairbanks style with metal shielded plug wires screwed on the back of it. The plugs are very large and the wires screw onto the plug end also...

Hopefully my problem is not serious as a hurricane (ernesto) is set to hit us next week and I need my baby to run for us!!!

I wish I could just twist the distributor and GO but it doesn't have one!!!


Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!

Thanks in advance
Sean....

[George Andreasen]

Sean,
A picture would help tremendously, but if the mag has a slotted base you may be able to gently rotate it (just like a distributor) and see some improvement. Can you post the mag model number?

[ArmyGenerator]

George,

Thanks for the reply, I took some pictures but it seems this website would only accept a file size of the picture of a pinhead or pencil point!

I can tell you that it is a type 20 and mounted to the front of the engine with two large bolts. I don't think it is "adjustable" and the way the unit is running right now, I am guessing that something has failed more than is out of adjustment.

I am going to try to find someone in the area that can service such an old unit. Maybe it's time to look at a new replacement for the reliability.

Sean