Setting K91 Throttle/Governor on RJ

[Lane Ranger 11,397]

Ok. I have been having a difficult time setting my throttle on an RJ i have.   I put a NOVA II electronic ignition on this  one so it starts second or third pull of the recoil every time! 
 

But i use this old k90 kohler manual for yhe guidance.  See pics below.

 

 

 

i think my governor setting is what is causing me issues with getting the throttle to set correctly.   It will idle fine.  When i turn throttle handle to increase speed/engine. It will die out.  
 

 The carb linkage looks correct like my other rjs.    The only thing i recall i may have missed is getting the ring on governor at 12 o'clock while manipulating the governor arm and rod to tighten the brass nut behind the governor arm.

 

  I may also need to loosen ghe throttle cable in the ring to properly set at 12 o’clock but i have not done that - just thought of it looking at the picture! 
 

Lots if things to do in one step at the same time either two hands!   
 

I do have the correct thing wrench for hhe governor brass nut behind the governor arm snd that helps s lot!

 

 

 

Any suggestions or guidance on setting this throttle/governor from Red Square members would be appreciated!

 

 

I normally do not touch these governors when setting throttle but this one requires it! 

 

 

 

[wallfish 18,117]

Throttling up and dying probably doesn't have anything to do with the governor setting. The governor controls RPM when the engine goes under load. I would normally call it a bad condenser first but I believe that Nova replaces both the points and condenser, so next thing would be fuel delivery. I'm not familiar with using those Nova things as all of my K90/91s still use points and condenser set ups. 

 

Start the engine and try throttling it up slowly by hand at the carb. You should feel the gov arm pushing back trying to close the carb. 

If you can throttle it up that way it might be the cable is opening the throttle too fast because there isn't an extension arm on that disc 

 

 

[953 nut 60,069]

An engine with retarded timing will start but not respond to the throttle well. If you have the instructions for the NOVA ignition system I would check the timing sequence first.

[Lane Ranger 11,397]

41 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Throttling up and dying probably doesn't have anything to do with the governor setting. The governor controls RPM when the engine goes under load. I would normally call it a bad condenser first but I believe that Nova replaces both the points and condenser, so next thing would be fuel delivery. I'm not familiar with using those Nova things as all of my K90/91s still use points and condenser set ups. 

 

Start the engine and try throttling it up slowly by hand at the carb. You should feel the gov arm pushing back trying to close the carb. 

If you can throttle it up that way it might be the cable is opening the throttle too fast because there isn't an extension arm on that disc 

 

 

 

 

Start the engine and try throttling it up slowly by hand at the carb. You should feel the gov arm pushing back trying to close the carb. 

 

thanks John !  Good info! 

[oliver2-44 10,734]

On 8/3/2025 at 8:54 AM, Lane Ranger said:

O

 

Is that shiny carb a newly installed aftermarket?

If it is, that could be the problem. 

They sell the same aftermarket carb to fit K90 through K181.

That's a cylinder displacement of 8.9 to 18.8 cubic/in, which is way to large a range.

[clueless 3,248]

Lane, can't help you with the K90, but will the Nova II work on my K161 on my 704?

[oliver2-44 10,734]

@clueless The Nova 2 will work on your K161 as long as it is rope start or starter generator start and had points and condenser. 
It will not work on single cylinder engines that have charging systems (multiple magnets, coils) under the flywheel. 

[clueless 3,248]

1 hour ago, oliver2-44 said:

@clueless The Nova 2 will work on your K161 as long as it is rope start or starter generator start and had points and condenser. 
It will not work on single cylinder engines that have charging systems (multiple magnets, coils) under the flywheel. 

Thank So it works on my 702 also.

Edited yesterday at 06:03 PM by clueless

[Lane Ranger 11,397]

10 hours ago, clueless said:

Lane, can't help you with the K90, but will the Nova II work on my K161 on my 704?

 Clueless not sure but it might !   Non electric state magneto coil types with points - thats what it was made for! 

[wallfish 18,117]

Did you ever figure out what the issue is @Lane Ranger

[Lane Ranger 11,397]

Not yet John.   I now turned to a the RJ transmission rebuild I started a couple months ago!  

 

Its Cool here today so that was a plus!