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-   -   new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running (https://www.buggiesgonewild.com/showthread.php?t=153568)

racsan 06-03-2019 07:48 PM

new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running
 
dont know much about these things, but grabbed a deal i thought too good to pass on. a 1988 marathon, gas engine.
chassis tag- 507803
88L24

engine tag-model EC25-2PG
motor # 88-09185

no roof but new wheels/tires, owner said hed not had time to work on it in last year and wanted it out of his way, i was able to get it for $200. says it has a new carb and fuel pump. it has spark but doesnt seem strong, and when you let off the pedal, the spark dissapears, even though engine still rolling. compression shows 70. seems very low to me. i mixed up some fresh fuel in a seperate can and hooked up a boat primer bulb to carb, had either ready and tried to start it. it did try to start and mase a little smoke but never would run. ive heard about possible crankshaft seal issues, and i used to work on outboards so i could understand that being possible. ive also heard about harbor freight engine conversion. not sure if i should go any further with this or try to flip it myself. have pictures but there on a phone that doesnt seem to want to upload to the forum. ( this is my 2nd attempt at a post) any thoughts or suggestions on this? wife wanted something to drive around neighboorhood garage sales, but im not sure if this will be up to the task, dont even know about parts availability. theres been some welding done to the starter/generator braket and the exhaust, so its got some hours on it. guess if nothing else the tires/wheels are worth what i paid, though if i got it going id see about swapping them for some 4.80-12 tires. (dont need the floatation and it would go faster that way) i'll probably take the motor apart just out of curiosity. is the throttle cable supposed to "push"? it seems strange its not a "pull". heavy sucker to push around, thats for sure.

Taquache 06-03-2019 11:03 PM

Re: new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running
 
Not sure how different the 88 is from mine (pre-88 but unknown actual year)

The throttle doesn't push as much as it lets the spring open the throttle, default position with not throttle cable is WOT.

I got my cart for cheap and immediately replaced the fuel pump and carb with brand new units, maybe $40ish total for both, I'm also running premix in mine and deleted the oil injection.

I'd find a good wiring diagram and make sure that's all up to par as well.

racsan 06-04-2019 03:43 AM

Re: new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running
 
Mine has no oil injection that i can see, no separate oil tank. Not even sure where it should be located. I was expecting a 50:1 ratio, the 128:1 surprised me. I recall evinrude tried 100:1 but didn’t stay with that for long before recommending going back to 50:1 .

racsan 06-04-2019 11:09 AM

Re: new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running
 
Am I correct in that the engine pulley and differential pulley should be in exact alignment? Mine aren’t. Looks like engine isn’t squarely in frame. A lot of repair welding has been done to brackets. Exhaust is even cobbled up and just can’t be unbolted like normal

Dabble Inn 06-04-2019 11:22 AM

Re: new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running
 
Nice find, starter brackets are known to break back then. It doesn't mean anything that they've been welded on, I had to weld on my 85 too..

The drive and driven clutches are not suppose to be in direct alignment, but they do need to be square with each other. (Hmmm, Hope that made sense)

Yes the spark is suppose to stop when letting off the pedal....

70lbs compression is too low, factory is around 120lbs. I don't know what the specs actually say but I think anything over 100lbs would be ok......

Post up some pics of that bad boy, We like pics in here

racsan 06-04-2019 04:06 PM

Re: new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running
 
My phone isn’t letting me upload pics, think it’s slow internet here. Need to transfer pics to computer. Pulled engine today, was tough, had to pull with clutch and muffler still attached. Piston scored a little, when free spinning engine by hand sounds like main bearings are rumbling. Found seal behind fan where ignition pickup is has blown. Very oily there. Was some sludge on rod. Haven’t split the case yet, maybe it could live again with a new top end and crank seals. Time to look up prices.

racsan 06-04-2019 04:16 PM

Re: new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running
 
My phone isn’t letting me upload pics, think it’s slow internet here. Need to transfer pics to computer. Pulled engine today, was tough, had to pull with clutch and muffler still attached. Piston scored a little, when free spinning engine by hand sounds like main bearings are rumbling. Found seal behind fan where ignition pickup is has blown. Very oily there. Was some sludge on rod. Haven’t split the case yet, maybe it could live again with a new top end and crank seals. Time to look up prices.

racsan 06-04-2019 06:39 PM

Re: new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running
 
trying to upload pictures....
http://https://live.staticflickr.com...c13f53_z_d.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9effea_z_d.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...24a052_z_d.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...74d2e3_z_d.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...738dce_z_d.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c13f53_z_d.jpg

racsan 06-04-2019 06:46 PM

Re: new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running
 
and the engine bay before i removed it....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...53a3ba_z_d.jpg

Dabble Inn 06-05-2019 01:18 PM

Re: new to these toys, got a '88 marathon-not running
 
Looks nice enough for the price, since the crank bearings are rough you'd be better off buying a complete rebuild kit. It doesn't cost much more then a top end and ya get a brand new crank with all 4 new bearings, for me it was the best way to replace the bottom rod bearing too


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