| Author |
Message |
    
Mike Anderson
New member
Username: Bapdk9
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 - 12:42 pm: | 
|
I recently purchased a 1999 Argo Bigfoot. I cannot believe how stiff the hand throttle is. It turns freely and and everything but my wrist gets sore within a few minutes. Any cure? |
Jeff bar
Advanced Member
Username: Argo8x8
Post Number: 178
Registered: 03-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 - 04:33 pm: |
|
I put a thumb throttle conversion on it, I do like it better. Jeff Bar |
Erich Kelter
Advanced Member
Username: Fisherman
Post Number: 131
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 12:13 pm: |
|
You aren't the only one with that comment, I did the thumb throttle conversion and did not find that much difference. I think that part of the problem is that the cable end actuates the governor instead of the throttle plate and it's a stiff spring. Just the nature and design of the beast. |
Rogersmith
Advanced Member
Username: Rogersmith
Post Number: 405
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 03:21 pm: |
|
One of the first things I fixed 12 years ago on my argo. Bypassed the governor, made a rod from the bell crank to the carb. R&R'd the twist grip, cleaned and lubed. Changed the ratio at the bell crank so the grip gets full throttle in a 1/4 turn and no slop/slack in the action. Put a minimal return spring on it. |
Ryan Singer
Intermediate Member
Username: 6x6mudder
Post Number: 76
Registered: 07-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 04:26 pm: |
|
I was told by a Briggs shop you can blow motor up by overreving with out a governor, but I guess you have not. Hee hee Ryan |
Rogersmith
Advanced Member
Username: Rogersmith
Post Number: 406
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 09:29 pm: |
|
The vanguard is not as weak as old briggs and stratton mower engines which would fly apart at anything much over governed speeds. It is still designed with weak valve springs which will allow valve float, a "designed in" rev limiter as I see it. If you have kids or other drivers who would hold it wide open with abandon, then no governer would not be advisable. But a normal driver shouldn't have a problem. I don't take my truck out in low range and hold it to the floor, etc. That kind of common sense..
But the idea of bypassing the governor was to make the throttle operation the way it should be, like a motorcycle, etc, crisp and easy, comfortable. |
Erich Kelter
Advanced Member
Username: Fisherman
Post Number: 132
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 07:42 am: |
|
When you say that you bypassed the governor and changed the ratio of the bellcrank? How much closer did you go to the pivot point with the throttle cable. Maybe I should look for a lighter return spring. |
Rogersmith
Advanced Member
Username: Rogersmith
Post Number: 407
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 10:02 am: |
|
I left the cable where it was, Erich. With the govenor disconnected from the bellcrank, I drilled a hole in the lower plate of the bellcrank and made a rod from coat hangar to the carb. So the ratio you're asking about in my case was where I drilled that hole. You could try moving the cable's hole inward.. but I think most of the slack and travel is governor related. |
Rogersmith
Advanced Member
Username: Rogersmith
Post Number: 408
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 10:07 am: |
|
I left the cable where it was, Erich. With the govenor disconnected from the bellcrank, I drilled a hole in the lower plate of the bellcrank and made a rod from coat hangar to the carb. So the ratio you're asking about in my case was where I drilled that hole. You could try moving the cable's hole inward.. but I think most of the slack and travel is governor related. |
Erich Kelter
Advanced Member
Username: Fisherman
Post Number: 133
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 10:17 am: |
|
Thanks for the info, I'll take another look at it when I get back from this weekends fishing trip. Nothing worse than trying to hold that thumb throttle at 20 below and it's pushing back. |
Mike Anderson
New member
Username: Bapdk9
Post Number: 2
Registered: 01-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 03:28 pm: |
|
Thanks for all the info so far. I'm not exactly that mechanically inclined and was wondering if you guys might have any pictures. I can get by a lot easier if I have a visual reference. Thanks, Mike |
Shop Talk: Tech Tips and Q&A section