Better half question

[Jeff XL79]

I'm trying to sort out the engine that came with this xl I bought. I got it to run on one cylinder with the choke on. I've checked all of the simple things like float level. I measured the engine side of this mikuni and it's 32mm. Isn't that rather large for a 30 hp engine. I thought this size used a vm26 . What the heck?

Jeff

[Jeff XL79]

I think that I  found the issue.  The original builder used dual 32mm mikunis where Leonard had used one 32mm with a dual intake manifold.  There is no way dual 32's would have worked.  I'm going to try dual vm26 carbs.

Jeff

[Jaggedscars]

Hello. Is there more history you can provide on the XL and engine you bought? Dual Mikunki's shouldn't be an issue if they are jetted appropriately, but your statement on 'run on choke' leads me to believe that there is a lean condition. Has the engine sat for quite some time? Could the carburetors need cleaned rather than replaced? Have you checked the compression and if so what were the numbers for each cylinder?

[Jeff XL79]

I've checked the fundamentals and believe that the issue was the huge carbs on a better half. The vm 26 carbs are on the way. 
Like I said in my previous post the original builder went along the general guidelines for construction of the better half version of the engine . He must have made the error in carb selection based upon an article Leonard wrote describing the build process. Leonard references a 32mm Mikuni for use on the better half. What wasn't clear was the 32mm was for single carb use . The vm26 is the actual recommendation for dual carb use. Everything else on the engine looks correct. I don't know the compression because I  don't have a gauge that fits. 

Jeff