Governor

I just got my to30 back together after a a new head, valves, manifold, carburetor etc. Its running beautiful
except as i bring the rpm's up the engine starts to surge. The throttle linkage doesnt move its the vertical
plunger with spring thats moving; if i grab onto it, it steadies the rpm's.........?

does this mean the governor is no good? i did have to adjust the throttle linkage so that it would idle after i put everything back together. the engine would race unless i manually pushed the throttle linkage back to slow it to an idle

You should see the linkage move running or not. Check everything at the dash. You may have slipped the small linkage or the disc is out of kilter with the throttle rod

The vertical link should only move with the lever on the dash. If the link is moving and the lever is not, probably the U bolt is loose.


If the lever and the vertical rod are moving, the cork friction washer is loose or missing. There is a spring tensioner and block to set the friction.

There is also a compensator spring up by the U bolt that helps keep the lever from creeping down.

It sounds like the governor is trying to work. To adjust the travel on the horizontal link from the carb to the governor arm:

Take the link off the governor arm, set the dash lever somewhere in the middle, hold the carb plate to the idle position, have an assistant start the engine (and stay with it in case of a runaway!).

Hold gentle forward tension against the governor arm and slowly bring the RPM up.

If the governor is working, you will feel the arm pushing back, the higher you rev the engine, the harder it will push. Just be careful not to over rev it!

Once it is all the way back, note the position. Now adjust the horizontal link so that when the governor arm is in the noted position, the carb plate is against the idle stop. Reinstall the link pin.

Next, Set the dash lever to idle. The lower end of the vertical rod should push the gov arm down, and the carb to idle position. Snug the U bolt in that position.

Now, start the engine and bring the RPM up slowly, making sure the governor is working. When the lever is at full speed the engine should be around 2000-2200 RPM. Adjust the U bolt to get the proper full speed RPM, and tighten securely.

If it still tries to surge, try a partial choke. If that levels it out, the main jet is too lean, a vacuum leak, etc.