Hey all. Been lurking for a few days and absorbing what I can. I picked up an 86 LT230S for 200 last week. Everything seems kosher with it other than I can dust any insects with burning oil within a 5 acre parcel.

For now, I just ordered STD. rings and i'll just fly with it on piston condition when I tear the motor down. I guess Ill cross that bridge when I do the rings on whether I should replace it or not. I don't want to go too crazy with this machine as Im trying to keep cost down and just don't feel it's prudent to put a bunch of dough in a $200 bike.

Anywho...after reading, Im thinking, a slip on, air filter (didn't even have one on it) And Im looking for a little more punch and was thinking of a Mikuni TM28, or rejetting...
Im mostly a trail rider. Would I be fine with just a rejet of the OEM carb, or is it worthwhile to throw 110 on a TM28?

Also, I have my eyes on a 250S camshaft. Just trying to put this all together in my head before I put it together on the bench.

For those who have tried any of these combinations, can you provide a cheap turnkey senario that will work out?

I also have bearings and seals to do as well. Swingarm is shot and has taken out the case at some point, so Id like to replace the engine cover at some point. Vinces I think had them for 75, but thought I read somewhere he isn't selling parts anymore?????

Thanks for any input guys! It's much appreciated. Usually Im a tractor *****, not a "quad" *****...lol

 

I don't know your engine, but if I could bet I would bet the rod bearings are bad. When these things smoke, they usually have bad rod bearings too... Which means you'll never get it to stop smoking for longer than 1 season (at that's with a nice tight new bore job). So I wouldn't put much money in it unless you're willing to commit to replacing the rod, which ain't expensive, its just a pain to get to (splitting cases).

Forget the TM28. Just set $110 on fire and bang your head against a tree instead. Its cheaper and easier that way and works about as well.

The 250s cam is worth it. Better price in a new intake valve (no air filter chews them up fast).

Vince don't sell parts. You'll be lucky to find a cover for less tha $150. Jb weld it if you can and live with a small leak.

 

Thanks Randy.

I have an old friend whos a machinist, as well as having a background in building motors. I dropped him a line and we got together.
In the meantime, I cam across an lt250s basket case. Bought that for 300 with 2 motors, but both needed some help.

Enter the 230.
We took the 230 apart. He discovered the 230 was was bored over .20. SO...previous owner had machine work done and then put the stock ring and pistons back. I imagine that would explain some smoke! I ordered new rings and piston, and cleaned everything up and reassembled. I just got everything back and installed and it took me forever kicking the thing over to get it to run. However, it did. My ears picked up on a tapping which I didnt like so I went back up to see him with the machine to give it the once over. Long story short, the valve clearance was high on it, so we too it down on the intake and exhaust valves.
Next problem is, it doesn't seem to want to stay running without some throttle. we also had the carb out and apart to make sure she was clean.
What I still don't get is it doesn't seem to want to stay running. I feel like Im hearing a slight clicking, and when it stalled it lets out "Pssshhhh" sound. I don't know if this is the normal stuff people run into after doing the work we did. Airbox is also off so the carb is exposed....(dont know if thats a factor)....anywho..its responsive and goes, but doesn't seem to want to stay running. Another fear was if the timing was out. It used to start 2nd kick. This time around its start on the 10th kick...I don't get it. It doesn't smoke anymore though! LOL

I took the 2 250 motors and got one decent one out of them. New pistons and rings as well. That hasn't been started, but we built them both the same so I wonder if the 250 will give me the same trouble. I need a left side case for that one though. Previous owner smashed both on each motor.

Any advice is apprciated on the 230. Im clueless. carb seems ok. runs ok when its going, but needs throttle. Other than that it will idle for a couple minutes and let out a big "gas", and stall....

 

Well its not going to run right without an airbox unless the jetting has been radically changed. Somehow I'm doubting the previous owner was savvy enough to figure that out. If he did have that kind of expertise, he would know not to run an engine without a filter in the first place. You need to figure something out for a filter and then monkey with the jetting.

Next issue is the intake valve is obviously worn. The hardness is gone off the valve and you will have to adjust it pretty much every ride just to be able to start it. That's why its taking longer and longer to get it running.

Another thing to watchout for is hard starting only when warm. That indicates a bad power coil. There are 4 coils on this engine: The power coil, the lighting coil, the pickup coil, and the ingition coil. Mine tested in spec, but upon replacement the hard starting issue was resolved.

I've also seen bad spark plugs right out of the box. Its always worth making sure the plug is good before spending time checking everything else. Its often overlooked and just about as often the problem.

In summary:

wont start when cold = intake valve too tight
wont start when warm = power coil old as dirt and no good
wont start anytime = pilot jet plugged. run a guitar E string thru it or a bread tie wire
runs like crap when ran find a few min ago = spark plug

 

Oh and I'm assuming you got the valve timing correct. Little marks on the cam parallel with the head while piston at TDC.

Valve lash is .001-.003 intake and .003-.005 exhaust. I set the intake as the smallest perceptable movement since its nearly impossible to get a feeler in there. I set the exhaust at double that.

If its determined that your intake valve is worn (lash readings get smaller after each ride), I'd set the gap pretty large until I got around to fixing it.

 

Thanks Randy!
Thats some good information! I appreciate all the help!

In the meantime, Ive been screwing with that lt250s I just bought too. Seems the jughead I bought it from decided to take take the slide out alone with all the stuff attached. So....now I have an incomplete carb on that.

Wanted to double check, seems the manual gives the same carb number, but specs out different. I don't know what to do about getting this thing fuel. As a matter of fact, "The vault" specifies the jets are slightly bigger on the 230 than what my manual says for the 250. (dont know why)....but I wonder if the carbs are interchangable?????

 

The 250 has a richer needle and leaner jet. Works out the same in the end. Yeah, you can swap em.

 

Thanks brother! Your a wealth of knowledge! If you were closer id throw some beers your way!

;-)

 

No problem. Its nice to be able to come to a forum n find what you need. I went to a HVAC forum with a question and they told me they're just pros that talk to each other. They don't help people. Why have a forum???

Heatpump - sometimes it works and sometimes not - HVAC-Talk: Heating, Air & Refrigeration Discussion

I hope Chris Worthington doesn't buy a quadsport and show up here with questions lol!

 

That blows. Im a contractor myself, but usually I will point people in a direction. My A/C knowledge is very limited too! I wish I knew more about it. At least Id feel like I was helping you out! LOL.

Anyhow, thanks again for the assistance. This is a new thing Im learning. Youd think at 39 I may have gotten my hands dirty with this stuff, but it's mostly been cars Ive dicked with.

~sigh~ Now I have to find a slide, spring, needle, and all the other crap that goes to the VM26 that came with the 250. lol...