West coaster mails scooter help

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[/URL]" /> This is a West Coaster mail scooter built in the late '50's or early '60's. It has an Onan two cylinder engine and Studebaker 3-speed manual trans. My dad bought it for $75 in 1970. We drove the wheels off it until about 1984, then the e-brake cable sized (master cylinder was in a box when dad bought it), and it got parked. Until yesterday, she I got it out.

I replaced the battery leads, cleaned up the connections, and put new plug wires on it. We get intermittent spark. Occasionally it fires, then nothing. Seems like it sparks when cold; after a few cranks, spark goes away. Large resistance somewhere makes it crank slower and slower, until we have to let it sit, but that probably isn't related to the spark issue.

Any reason for intermittent spark? Bad condenser?

Perhaps clean the points?

This would make an awesome build thread... any more pictures?

LS Swap?

I have the service manuals here.

Onans don't like to run if the points are out of adjustment. I throw a points kit in it.

yea, points are where I would look first. As it does not like to spark when hot, might want to also look at the resister on the coil too

The resistor looked bad, so I installed a Chrysler piece. Isn't correct, but should do the job. I then cleaned the ground on the ignition box. It now runs! Gotta clean the gas tank now, and do something about the e-brake cable.

It looks like I can get the Girling master cylinder from Wilwood, so that is a project for another day. Gotta find the wheel cylinders, too. Then new tires.

I'll post pics as I get it done. This may take time, as I'm working on it from 100 miles away.

In reply to Datsun310Guy:

I'd love to get copies of this! How can we go about doing that?

why are there two fans for cooling? That seems very odd

Lots of RV's gen sets use this same motor. I have seen them a few times if there under a chassis they add the extra fan if out in the open no extra fan. Seems they need extra help when in closed.