Timing plate gives a bit of low end power, and theoretically takes away some top end power. No jetting change needed
Losing the airbox lid will require a jetting increase of at least 2 sizes.
The plate is not a waste of money, just not the greatest power increase mod if you are on a budget.
The small hose is on top of the head is there to prevent air collecting there.
There is no way possible to get an air bubble at the impeller that will cause cavitation.
Loosing the airbox cover will give you a noticeable increase in performance, while the timing plate is only a low end increase that is not very noticeable. Just my opinion though.
The black paint on the rad helps dissipate heat. Stripping the paint will make your rad less efficient and your motor run hotter. Polished rads look cool on drag bikes, but they only run for seconds at a time. Regular bikes have to stay cool for hours when riding.
If your motor is jetted correctly you will not overheat as long as you keep moving. Putting in a billet impeller is a good idea though.
I run some hairy trails in the mountains and woods and have never overheated.
Plugs backing out are caused by detonation due to too low octane fuel for your compression.
Vibration will not do it unless they are only finger tight and lean jetting will cause pre-ignition which will melt holes in the piston.
Dont run it like that. It will be expensive.
You bjust beat me with your answer, but 7 deg timing could also be a cause
Case savers do seem a good idea, but from what guys have posted on here, the billet ones can cometimes cause more damage if the chain lets go. The TM design plastic one seems to be the best.
When the piston gets too hot and expands too much and leaves leaves streaks of itself on the sides of the cylinder it is seizing. It does not have to lock up.
Hammering the motor when it is cold will cause a cold seize, and not lock the motor up as well, just leave piston material on the bore.
You should consider putting on new sprockets with a new chain. Old sprockets will ruin a new chain fast.
To check tension, sit on the quad and move the chain up and down between the sprockets. About 3/4 to an inch movement is good.
I don't think you would ever get it to start at 75, and even 90 would be difficult. Maybe your tester is wrong, or you are not testing the correct way. Plugs out, throttle open and kick until the needle stops moving.