ORIGINAL: Tired Old Man

My perception of the ''tilt and die'' issue placed most of them with engines that were not fully broke in and many that were run in some pretty cold climates. Where the two combined, issues were almost certain to occur. Small gassers don't like being cold at all. There was, and is, a home performed method of cleaning up the induction path on the side carb engines. Jedijody would be the best source of info on that.

Some of the engines were assembled with a little less attention to parts fit than there could have been. That was the primary source of the ''SPS'' condition. When cylinders were assembled pushed to one side of the base plate bolt hole the piston would ride pretty hard on one side of the cylinder. That was also a contributing factor to the ''tilt and die'' engines. The solution to that was simple. Loosen the cylinder screws and loosen the crear case screws. Assure alignment of the case halves and tighten the case screws. Remove the cylinder screws completely, and holding the cylinder over the case with the piston still fit inside the cylinder, rotate the prop hub and slide the cylinder back down onto the case, feeling for the least amount of friction with piston motion. Put the cylinder screws back in and tighten them to 35-40 inch pounds.

Of most importance is the break in. It's not broke in until the idle holds smooth and steady. Takes a looong time.