I'm guessing, the plate is OK, as I think, it's an optional port for a different air cleaner attachment.

To start, I'd clean the whole business up! (use some Gunk degreaser) It sounds like it's starving for gas. Check the lines, tank, filters, etc. Get rid of the bungee cord and see what happens.

It wouldn't surprise me, if the air cleaner looked like the outside of the carb. Plan on changing that.

Ok,The model and s/n is of the tractor, not the motor...the round welch plug is a pressure fit type "cap" and if not there lets dust into the engine....the carb is a 2 piece flow-jet carb...it's filthy and needs to be removed ,disassembled,rebuilt and it will run a lot better then you describe now (it's full of stale/varnished fuel,dirt water etc)...your best bet is to buy a B&S book and follow the instructions of rebuilding the carb,if not disassembled correctlt,you'll ruin the main jet...the points may also require replacing,along with the airfilter and sparkplug,drian the fuel tank,and dry throughly,then add fresh fuel.......Where in Vt are you ?
Good Luck Jim

Jim, yeah I know the numbers go to the tractor, but didn't know if they would help. I can't see the numbers on the engine, as they are on the back right next to the gas tank. The tank was on empty when I got it, I added about 2 gals of fuel yesterday, where would I find a B&S book?

Your probably right, the same as tmajor said, it needs some cleaning!

My Uncle did say that he got tangled up with some brush or a stick which messed it up, and has never run right since, he ran it this way for a few years, with the bungie setup (not sure if it had the loss of power, but...I would assume not)

Thanks,
Shawn

I live in Springfield, VT

Since you have an ENGINE problem, ENGINE #'s would be more helpful than tractor #'s.

Looking at the pictures more closely, I believe the bungee cord is hooked directly to the governor. If so, it would disallow any operation of the governor, as intended. (The experts should be able to confirm this.)

OK, doing a bit of research, the engine is supposed to be a B&S 326400 series.
You can download an IPL from the link-
The carb probably does need cleaning, but you might try "tweeking" the main jet adjusting screw.
It's the one at an angle near the carb bottom.
Chances are that fresh fuel may also be useful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link

I agree about the governor. It appears the linkage is MISSING!
That would explain why it doesn't have any power. The throttle valve can't open any further.
Page 10 of the IPL shows the various governor parts. Maybe some of them are still there?

I think I'd stick a good dose of carb cleaner in the tank and maybe you can get away with that, instead of rebuilding. The adjustable jet gives you a bit more lee way in regards to parts getting "varnished up".

The governor linkgage is attached(backside of carb ,last pic),the bungee cord is forcing the throttle shaft into a low idle position,the governor may not be able to overcome the bungee cord,tension,you are also missing a spring from the gov,control ,there should be two ,you have only one.You can buy a B&S book at any good book store....or order one from a dealer ....rebuild the carb! You'll be happy you did ,I know these carbs real well....I'm in Milton .....a bit to far to help you,sorry Jim

Ok, I got done with a few things this afternoon, I see you all have been busy too!

1st I cleaned the air cleaner! This is what it looked like before cleaning!
{{gwi:347353}}

2nd I cleaned off the outside of the carb a bit, So I could see what I was doing!

3rd I dumped in some carb cleaner & Dry gas into the fresh gas I put in yestaerday!

4th I started it and let some of that gas into the carb.

5th While it was Running I sprayed in some other carb cleaner!

6th While in the "cleaning mode" I cleaned the back of the engine, and discovered the engine info was on top, not the back like the manual made it look like!
{{gwi:347354}}

7th I replace the worn duct tape which was used to plug the "hole" (maybe a "pre heater") which was on the backside of the tube just below the airfilter, before the "welsh plug" with some "aluminum heating tape"

8th I started it up and experimented with it with the bungee OFF!

If I just tried to drive it, it would bog down, but if I twisted the "throttle plate" (or what ever it is that the bungee was hooked to before) clockwise then it would rev up like it was a big boy! I could climb the hills no problem as long as I was bent over holding the throttle open, I checked the throttle linkage, it apears to be working right.

I'm not sure if there is "extra" wear in the linkage which hooks to the back of what I call the "throttle plate."
Here is it in "idle" position. The rod comes up from the govenor, notice where it is in the hole on the arm . . .
{{gwi:347355}}
And here at "Full Throttle" Position, check the rod in the hole . . .
{{gwi:347356}}
And the other end of the linkage, while at "idle"
{{gwi:347357}}
And at "Full Throttle"
{{gwi:347358}}

I talked my wife into helping me by taking a few video's, but here is one, I have more . . . as soon as I reach down and twist it, it cranks right up, and off I GO!

Here is the link to the video . . .

http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnTVT/Tractors/?action=view¤t=Needinghelpandfoundsome.flv

While waiting for the video to upload, I got to thinking, that maybe I needed to put the bungee back on, but on the other side . . . so Off I went, and it worked, but not like it should . . . it does not have the full range that the proper spring would give it.

I see you also came up with a spring was missing, I just need to see If I can figure where it goes . . . I'll go look for one tomorrow . . .

Thanks to EVERYONE!!!

Can you tell me where the other spring goes? I see "extra" holes, but not sure which I would use.

My uncle always turned off the fuel, so I imagine that the carb will be ok, It seems to run great, but just not the way it should, with all the extra input from the driver!!!

Thanks again, I'll still look for a book, will it have more info than the parts list that Bill got me the link to?

By the way . . . THANKS Bill!!

Shawn

This page might help a bit.

Here is a link that might be useful: Parts Tree B&S

The other thing, which I notice, is that the shaft exiting the the engine to the governor arm, has a screwdriver slot, which appears to have been played with at least once. (slot bunged up) Maybe, the governor isn't adjusted, at this connection, to work properly.

Your need a new governor rod,gov rod spring that goes around the governor rod and hooks to the throttle rod and the gov,rod.,and the governor spring that is missing on the governor arm that exits the engine(the 2nd spring) do not mess with the governor .....until all the warn or missing parts are replaced .........check EBAY for a B&S manual....Jim