We are very lucky that USAC took the stance against allowing the Thailand Honda engines in competition. There are many more issues with these engines that they wont admit to yet....time will tell. How about crank weight issues? carb size? valves? gx160? Honda should give all the people that bought these engines the heads at NO cost. They really should just give them their money back.
Honda Press Release
As most of you are aware QMA has had some issues regarding the New Honda 120 engines that are being produced in Thailand. After numerous meetings and conference calls Honda Power Equipment division in conjunction with Honda Performance Development have agreed to assist the QMA National Board with a solution for the difficulties with the new engine.
The main issues the require resolution are; hand grinding marks on the Thailand heads-which make it difficult to Tech, lack of power as compared to the Japan produced engines, and lastly a carb insulator inconsistency problem.
Based on a recent survey of the Honda 120 engines it appears that this affects less than 300 Thailand produced GX120 engines currently in use in QMA.
Honda Performance has agreed to order, warehouse, and make available for purchase a new head produced from Japan to alleviate these problems. The new head is a number 13 and will be available for purchase directly from Honda Performance Development. In addition to a new Japan head you may continue to use the older Japan head on all GX120 engines, regardless of age or country of origin. These heads will be required on the Thailand engines only and are optional on the older Japan 120 engines. This affects Thailand engines that are currently in use and new Thailand engines purchased for QMA racing. Pricing for the new #13 head is not finalized yet but we are anticipating it to be less than the current trade price.
The proposed implementation date will be April 1, 2011. Hondas anticipated delivery date for these heads is January 1, 2011. Further information on how and where to purchase these parts will be available on the
www.quartermidgtes.org site soon.
National Board of Directors
Quarter Midgets of America