I'm just beginning to get my '88 LT500 running. I had the engine totally apart and replaced a few small things (trans parts). I have it back together and I had it running for a while until it just gradually died. It felt like I ran out of gas but that wasn't the case. The LT has a Lectron carb with a see-through float bowl. There is fuel in the bowl. The spark plug does have fuel on it after I try to start it. There is spark getting to the plug. I have tried a new spark plug also. It still refuses to start but it will backfire sometimes.

I'm just looking for ideas from you guys. What else should I check? Thanks a million!

Adam

This happened to me once. In my case my Zilla sheared the flywheel key, allowing the flywheel to spin on the crankshaft, thus throwing your timing a mile off. Check this. Good luck.

You may also want to look under the flywheel at the stator. The three screws that hold it in place could have come loose and the stator is no longer aligned the way it should be.

Did you put the piston in backwards.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400

Hey guys. I just wanted to say thanks for the great ideas. It turned out to be a sheared flywheel key. Did something cause this failure or was it just because the part was 13 years old?

Thanks again!

Adam

When you reinstall the flywheel, make sure you tighten the nut to the proper torque. If it is too loose, the key will take a larger than normal impact force everytime you accelerate or decelerate. I'd also use blue loctite (non-permanent) on the shaft threads to ensure the nut stays in place.

Now do a leak down test. This will test the gaskets/seals etc. Confirm that it will hold air pressure. Motion Pro has a great kit for this. Nothing worse than putting it back together and then having it go lean. Next time you have the top end off, replace the two rubber o-rings for the exhasut valve. After 10 years they seem to leak a little. That little leak is all it will take when running a big bowl at Glamis in 5th gear for it to go lean.