Thanks Barnett.

You know, I didn't replace the cam sprocket or the cam chain. That could very well be my issue. I agree, cheap easy fix. Well, easy now that I can disassemble the engine blind folded.

Do the tests below first.

Put some gas in clear glass, if it is apple juice color or darker it is bad and will cause your plug to look like that.

GAS LEVEL TEST – If your gas level is low in the float bowl then your carb will be lean. Install clear plastic tube on bowl drain, hold open end of tube level with top of carb and open bowl drain valve. The gas will flow into the tube. It should be from level to 3/16" below the bottom of the carb body where it meets the bowl. If it is incorrect then adjust float accordingly.


PILOT JET - If gas level is good and it is like 75 degrees or above and starts with no choke drop pilot 3 sizes. If it is 75 or below drop 3 sizes.

MAIN JET – Drop 1 size, buy smaller spares for testing.
Can you recommend a jet kit? One thing I do not have currently.

Any flat spots, or burbles upon acceleration?
None. Runs evenly through acceleration. Could be iron oxide in my gas. One of my last steps is to line the gas tank. Currently, only cleaned and tig welded the holes as well as powder coated tank. Look great on the outside...

Should be some sort of black smoke according to plug description, oh well, lol.
There was smoke the first few times I ran the engine after rebuilding. Assumed the rings needed time to adjust. No smoke, but very very rich. Exhausts fumes are very heavy smelling.

Not if it’s in the top end.
This is my challenge. I really can't pinpoint the root area of the clicking. It's definitely coming from the right side of the engine. If standing beside the machine, you sort of gravitate to the bottom end. I wasn't able to reassemble the wiring harness and tank for a test run last night. Getting there though.