Governer quirk?

I test drove an M715 wih the original motor. It semed to accelerate very slowly. If I really stepped on it, it would seem to accelerate up to a certain speed, and then when it hit a certain RPM, it would "fall off" or stumble noticably...almost like it was breaking up. Then, a few times, it would backfire, until letting off the gas and getting to a lower RPM. I don't feel that I was pushing it over what it should be able to do. At no time did it go over 40 MPH. Any thoughts on what it might be? Thanks, Hal

The 230 is kinda gutless by nature and needs every little bit. It is amazing how far out of timeing you can have one and they still run, just odd, REAL odd. I had one that was some where between 45 and 90 degrees out when I bought it and it would still move itself.If the timing checks ok you might have a issue with the carb or governer.If it has the hood mounted aircleaner, make sure the hose is not kinked. Had one get turned around kinda funny and when you shut the hood it would twist and kink, robbing the engine of nough air to propel you much faster that 20mph. If it is the governer, it would be simple enough just to remove the two screws holding the flap on.

I agree very strongly with the timing issue...among many others, my truck had the same problem when I bought it...
Other items to check:
The mil disrtib cap is prone to tracking and can cause similiar problems. Point gap and condition should be looked at as long as your in there with the cap.
Fuel filter could be nasty if its old and the trucks been sitting a while...also the amount of fuel the pump is moving...it also has been a problem for several poeple that the 'sock', the screen in the fuel tank, melts over the years and gums up the pickup tube to where ya cant flow enough fuel to run properly.
brute4c