Grinding off the easy start?

[I like karts]

Has anyone else noticed that on the cams of briggs 5hp flatheads the easy start doesnt let the actualy compressing start until the piston is 2/3 of he way up the cylinder? This seems very power robbing. I'm thinking about doing a little dremelling on a spare cam I have and popping it in to see if it improves power over stock (even though it'll be ultra hard to start, but I don't mind). It seems like it would give it a ton of extra compression and power. What do you guys think?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I haven't had an intimate relationship with the guts of a Briggs flatty, but I'm interested in your observation. If you have a spare cam, I say go for it!

 

[Russ2251]

Known as "Easy Spin" and invented in the '60's.
Will not make any difference, however, it will build up your forearms.
Has been tried by a few on this site...including humble self.
Have your spare cam on hand if you decide to do this....otherwise you will wish you had not been so fool hardy.

 

[anderkart]

easy start doesnt let the actualy compressing start until the piston is 2/3 of he way up the cylinder? This seems very power robbing.

Typically these systems only lower compression at starting RPM, once the engine speeds up a little you have full compression.

 

[Russ2251]

once the engine speeds up a little you have full compression.

Something past 800 RPM, typically.

 

[I like karts]

Aww shucks. I always get so hyped up whenever I get an idea and do it
Oh well, I like the feeling of it having lots of compression on startup! And I have quite a few briggs flatheads. They're all around here

 

[slideways]

The reason the little "cam lobe" is spring loaded is so that during the engine firing up centrifugal force holds it away and you don't even know its there. So the gain will be unmeasurable.. as they said. All modern engines have this so you don't break your wrist or skin your knuckles.

 

[I like karts]

Wait, I don;t know if you guys are talking about newer flatheads or what. Because if it had a spring mechanism I wouldn't have done it. Mine has no way of changing the cam timing. And this engine/cam is from 1990

 

[Russ2251]

I always get so hyped up whenever I get an idea and do it

There is very, very little than can be done that hasn't been tried before.

The reason the little "cam lobe" is spring loaded...

Not the same.