Got the generator running today.
Local mower shop had the correct o-ring for $4 + tax (a Subaru brand gasket, P/N 214-62540-08). These are going for $8 on amazon and e-bay, so got a much better deal going local (plus knew I got the correct part the first time).
I changed the oil, cleaned the spark plug and exhaust (has a little filter thing on the muffler), and cleaned and oiled the air filter.
Put it all back together, did a test run on it for about 30 minutes, ran great.
I think this could power my refrigerator if I had to, but I think I will just plan on using this to run some fans and maybe a TV if power is out for a while.
I only added about 1/2 gallon of gas to it with Sta-bil added.
When I put it up, I turned off the petcock and let it run till dead, then drained the rest of the gas out of the carb before putting the side cover back on.
I may drain the gas out of the tank since I probably won't need it till hurricane season starts again next year.
I figure I will go fill my gas cans (2 plastic 5 gallon, 1 metal 5 gallon, and 3 plastic 2.5 gallon) this spring at Buckee's since they have ethanol free gas (but charge a pretty penny for it), add some Sta-bil to it, and save it for "just in case".
It is supposed to last 8 hrs at 1/2 load per tank (1.1 gallon), so that would give me a few days worth if needed.
I also cleaned up the cart I got. A lot of the nuts has worked loose and needed to be tightened, as well as the handle mount on one side had been bent.
While I had the handle off, I remember I had kept my old foam grips, so just for grins, tried them out.
It actually turned out very nice IMO for what it is.
The left grip is the exact same size as the bar, so a perfect fit. The right side is larger for the throttle tube, so is a little loose on there, but it still works.
While cleaning it, I found it was very loud when empty, especially the top tray.
Got me thinking about the Ranger thread where we were talking about sound deadener, and I had a little TiteSeal left, so I put a few strips across the bottom of the top tray.
While it by no means makes it silent, it does reduce the vibration and noise level if you drop something on it and while rolling empty.
I think I have another roll of this stuff somewhere, so may add more if I find it.