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Vernon Hansen
Joined: 10 Feb 2013
Posts: 32
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 Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 8:50 pm Post subject: LO-206 questions. |
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Our club has started running the lo-206 class. Alot of racers are switching from falthaed to 206. In fact everyone in the adult class.
Im sure some drivers have done some home work and some are guessing whats best. Im not taking thier advice just yet because we are all new to the Lo-206.
Here is my questions and concerns.. Best way to break in.?/ What oil is best ? How many ounces should I run and why ? What is the best fuel to run ?/ What spark plug should I run ?/
I know Ive got a book , I read it. However I find guys that have raced this motor for awhile, know best from expierence.
Thank you for the input. |
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John Matthews
Joined: 04 Dec 2004
Posts: 1990
Location: United States, Michigan, Williamsburg
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| Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 6:04 am Post subject: |
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First, forget all the flathead stuff you know and start fresh.
Run 16oz of oil, if you really want to "break it in" you can run your favorite conventional oil for a session or two but it's really not necessary. The new Briggs oil works well as do many others, you won't make any more power here by running thinner oil, or less of it. Just change it out each race day and you'll be fine.
Straight 87 octane pump gas works fine. Just make sure to always use fresh and drain the carb after each race day. Also another place where you won't gain any power.
You have to run the spec Briggs plug, read the rulebook. Yet another place you won't gain any power.
Here's what you can do.
Adjust the carb needle to get your temps up to around 360 deg F.
Lap the valves periodically.
Change the valve springs every year or so.
Here's the most important tip though....
Take all that money you were spending maintaining and cheating up your flathead and spend it on tires and gas money to get to the track for test days. Work on your driving and chassis set-up and don't worry about the engine. Your club has chosen an engine package that doesn't require constant cash infusions to stay competitive, be happy and don't mess it up by trying to gain an engine advantage that isn't there 
Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC. |
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mike clements
Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Posts: 242
Location: United States, Arizona, San Tan Valley
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| Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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John, I have a brand new LO-206 sitting here and no one is running them here. The WF class is huge though.
I need to "convert" my 206 into a WF. The World Formula is almost twice the cost of the 206.
We'll get there ......... 
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Began kart racing 1959. Made many friends along the way. |
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John Matthews
Joined: 04 Dec 2004
Posts: 1990
Location: United States, Michigan, Williamsburg
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| Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 6:52 am Post subject: |
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| mike clements wrote: | John, I have a brand new LO-206 sitting here and no one is running them here. The WF class is huge though.
I need to "convert" my 206 into a WF. The World Formula is almost twice the cost of the 206.
We'll get there ......... |
Hi Mike,
Put that 206 on a cadet kart and have a junior driver run it on the kid kart course. I saw your comment on how fast the Jr. Roc engines were, we need something for the kids who didn't start in kid karts at 5-years-old. I'll bet some of the dads/granddad's driving WF might get it
Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC. |
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Bernie Lacotta
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 168
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| Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 10:33 am Post subject: |
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| John Matthews wrote: | | mike clements wrote: | John, I have a brand new LO-206 sitting here and no one is running them here. The WF class is huge though.
I need to "convert" my 206 into a WF. The World Formula is almost twice the cost of the 206.
We'll get there ......... |
Hi Mike,
Put that 206 on a cadet kart and have a junior driver run it on the kid kart course. I saw your comment on how fast the Jr. Roc engines were, we need something for the kids who didn't start in kid karts at 5-years-old. I'll bet some of the dads/granddad's driving WF might get it
Cheers, |
We are about to start a LO206 Cadet class at PKRA. Aaron Hernandez has just put one of my 206's on his son's kart for some shakedown runs. Off hand I think it will be very close to the Rotax lap times. I'll keep you posted.
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I breathe ,therefore,I race |
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paul hir
Joined: 30 Jan 2005
Posts: 345
Location: United States, Pennsylvania, Erie
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| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 8:49 am Post subject: |
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| I like the idea of the L0206, but why won't they do what Rotax does and allow rebuilds and to be resealed. I hate the idea of purchasing a engine and then having to sell it or more then likely make it a boat anchor. |
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Benn Herr
Joined: 18 Jul 2001
Posts: 1580
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| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 9:25 am Post subject: |
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| paul hir wrote: | | I like the idea of the L0206, but why won't they do what Rotax does and allow rebuilds and to be resealed. I hate the idea of purchasing a engine and then having to sell it or more then likely make it a boat anchor. |
The cost to replace the engine is low enough that it's just not worth it to most people. By the time you replace the rod, piston, gaskets, bearings, lifters, etc... and do the cleaning and clearancing you get close to the cost of a new one. Doing that is also counter to one of the important aspects of a sealed engine, that they are all the same (or at least close) and you don't need to "blueprint" just to be competitive.
The engine still has value as a "core" for someone running the regular Animal class and it's not like you can't do any work on it. You can pull the head and lap/replace the valves, maintain the rockers and springs, clean/service the carb, etc.. With the bottom end estimated to go a couple of seasons before service is needed it's a great deal.
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Benn Herr
Come see our Superkart Build Off @
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John Matthews
Joined: 04 Dec 2004
Posts: 1990
Location: United States, Michigan, Williamsburg
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| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 10:28 am Post subject: |
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| paul hir wrote: | | I like the idea of the L0206, but why won't they do what Rotax does and allow rebuilds and to be resealed. I hate the idea of purchasing a engine and then having to sell it or more then likely make it a boat anchor. |
I'll buy your used up LO206, or you can buy another sealed bottom end and just re-do your head.
Personally I don't like the whole "reseal after rebuild" deal. It gives people the chance to juice up a completely legal engine by swapping parts to the absolute max tolerances and then get them "resealed" and not be questioned as to why they have a motor that costs twice what a brand new one costs. I used to be an Easykart dealer and had to compete with the "sealed" engines the importers kid ran....
I can build that worn out LO206 into a methanol guzzling monster up to about 25hp. There's actually a great market for used Animals which is what the LO206 is. I even cut the seals off brand new ones to build stock or modified Animals since the bottom end has been essentially blueprinted close to max legal specs from the factory 
Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC. |
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Bernie Lacotta
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 168
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| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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| John Matthews wrote: | | paul hir wrote: | | I like the idea of the L0206, but why won't they do what Rotax does and allow rebuilds and to be resealed. I hate the idea of purchasing a engine and then having to sell it or more then likely make it a boat anchor. |
I'll buy your used up LO206, or you can buy another sealed bottom end and just re-do your head.
Personally I don't like the whole "reseal after rebuild" deal. It gives people the chance to juice up a completely legal engine by swapping parts to the absolute max tolerances and then get them "resealed" and not be questioned as to why they have a motor that costs twice what a brand new one costs. I used to be an Easykart dealer and had to compete with the "sealed" engines the importers kid ran....
I can build that worn out LO206 into a methanol guzzling monster up to about 25hp. There's actually a great market for used Animals which is what the LO206 is. I even cut the seals off brand new ones to build stock or modified Animals since the bottom end has been essentially blueprinted close to max legal specs from the factory
Cheers, |
I agree John, my offer to anyone I sell a 206 to is that I will give them a $100 credit towards a new 206 sealed shortblock if their present crank turns and there are no holes in the block. That puts the price of a new shortblock in the $150 area!!! I can't rebuild one for that !!!!!
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mike clements
Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Posts: 242
Location: United States, Arizona, San Tan Valley
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| Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 11:59 am Post subject: |
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Maybe I can buy some of those worn short blocks from you Bernie ?
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Began kart racing 1959. Made many friends along the way. |
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Bernie Lacotta
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 168
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| Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 8:20 am Post subject: |
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| mike clements wrote: | | Maybe I can buy some of those worn short blocks from you Bernie ? |
Haven't seen one yet! Quite a testament to the LO206 concept!!!!
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I breathe ,therefore,I race |
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mike clements
Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Posts: 242
Location: United States, Arizona, San Tan Valley
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| Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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I have a brand new LO-206 here and I hate to break the seals on it. But, I have a customer wanting a fully modified Animal. So .....
Got to go where the money is 
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Began kart racing 1959. Made many friends along the way. |
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John Matthews
Joined: 04 Dec 2004
Posts: 1990
Location: United States, Michigan, Williamsburg
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| Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 8:44 am Post subject: |
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| mike clements wrote: | I have a brand new LO-206 here and I hate to break the seals on it. But, I have a customer wanting a fully modified Animal. So .....
Got to go where the money is |
Don't worry Mike, they'll make more 
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC. |
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