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Can anyone tell me the external or visual difference between the early 820 power bee's and the new US 820 kart motor. I'm restoring a Bonanza mini bike and want to switch out the 580 for a 820. I need it cosmetically period correct. I know the recoil (I need that for a MB) was different and the early stuffer plate had west bend cast in it. What I read on them was the tooling hasn't changed much ... Thanks

Dave,

No West Bend expert here but I can tell you that the early Benders had a angled spark plug cylinder head and a corresponding head tin. The early motors were also gold in color with a foil decal on the fan shroud and a metal I.D. tag that was screwed on to the top of the head shroud. Think the 820 from US power is real close to original, not so sure about the Copperhead or whatever it was designated.

Scroll down in this forum section and find the thread titled "Dick Teal Returns" and there are some photos of Dicks engines and it will give you a good idea of what a correct Bender should look like.

Not sure when they were first offered or if they are a US Power addition but a compression release head and related tin might be a good idea if your using a pull starter.

Hopefully one of the experts will chime in and steer you right.

R.E.A.R.

Dave,

Here's a picture of the early 820's made by West Bend.

I couldn't attach the picture and got this message; Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached.

E-mail me and I can help you out with pictures and other stuff. teal@charter.net

Thanks Dick.. I will contact you... Dave

Posted for Dick Teal using Photobucket without any problems.
Just create an account & upload pics to host pictures. You can also create albums and share with others.
It's so easy even Bob can figure it out!

A small thing, but all the newer flywheel shrouds I've bought have had the larger air opening for the flywheel. Ted

Dave, sounds like a cool mini! I'd suggest using .050 or a little more head gasket. From experience I've about broken my arm trying to start a sealed up 820 with less, even with a compression release. If you need any pieces contact me. Rick Brown

I got some great info on this from Dick Teal and it looks like he might have some thing that will work fine.. Thanks for everyone's input....Dave