I believe most all the reported flywheel failures can be directly linked to either defective manufacture, or being somehow modded, damaged or incorrectly removed/re-installed.
Exactly what I have been saying.
regarding 6.5hp clone engines, and hardly any genuine-Honda or Briggs/Tecumseh... I think most all 6.5hp clone flywheels are a direct copy of a Honda GX200, that were over-engineered and probably designed to safely spin up to 10,000+ rpm...
I believe a genuine Honda GX200 flywheel would have had much higher quality control when manufactured and installed.
This is undoubtedly true, between metallurgy, QC, and manufacture process. There is also a truth that some clones (based on "brand") are built better than others. That said, we do not typically hear of near-stock clones blowing at 5000 RPM on a regular basis. This leads to the whole point
I personally have been pushing. If an engine has not been modified in such a way as to allow insane RPM, odds are even you're safe. This, of course, is based on a few fundamental assumptions;
*That the mechanical work has been performed by a competent person
*That the flywheel has not been previously damaged or defective
*That the engine is operated responsibly. This means that if you remove your clutch, and stand there watching while the engine free-revs itself into oblivion, you're an idiot and that doesn't count against the "myth".
*That we all recognize that under the right (wrong) circumstances, anything can happen. There are always exceptions to any rule. S**t happens. A new, stock flywheel could frag at 3000 RPM. Remember that.
But I dont think any of you guys calling this a Myth have ever actually raced 4-cycle/Industrial engine karts, or even had 4-cycle engines on your karts that turned anywhere near 6000 rpm.
I've been above 5K, not above 6. However, my argument regards near stock engines that simply CAN'T turn above speeds like that, due to performance modifications that have NOT yet been done. Most folks around here will have noticed by now that I personally suggest keeping the valvesprings stock when degoverning an otherwise stock engine. Think of it as insurance.
I have, and I can tell you that until you've competitively raced on a track you just dont any Idea how intense it is to have a 7000rpm engine screaming away only a foot away from you. If you ever experienced that I think you guys might be a little more concerned about this possible safety issue too.
Absolutely- but at that point, in for a penny, in for a pound. Not like you're going to build a race engine with every high performance part sold.... And a stock 'wheel.
I've ran across several racers that recommend using genuine Honda flywheels to others that couldn't afford a Billet for their clones. I think that's good advice too.
That can't be a bad idea. See above metallurgy/QC comments.
Some of you guys give the impression that all the racers are totally wrong about this matter, when the truth is they know a lot more about this subject than you.
Again, I'm referring to
lightly modded engines, and use the term "race" in an amateur sense.
Now- regarding the governor internals-
I've been inside an engine or two, but since we're
mostly discussing clones, I will comment regarding the Honda GX-seires clone. I CAN tell anyone here firsthand and unequivocally the following- The governors internals on these engines are not designed in such as fashion that the "button" will stay on at higher RPM. The "button" I refer to is retained between the governor's flyweights and the governor arm. SINCE most folks would be inclined to simply disconnect the governor arm and run the throttle directly to the carb, this leaves this button in a very good position to simply be pushed off the shaft by the flyweights. This plastic button PROBABLY won't funk up your engine TOO badly if it flies free but- I can also tell you that if the governor arm swings out enough, it WILL strike the reciprocating assembly. THAT will cause you a fair bit of damage. I have not SEEN it happen, and I have not HAD it happen but,
You don't have to SEE someone insert a grenade into their rectum in order to very safely extrapolate the fact that it will do some damage.
