I'm honestly not 3 speed savvy.
So, any experts please chime in.
I had picked up a used Savage and assumed for over a year that the 3-speed was a 2-speed.
And ran it as such
I was running with it shifting from 1st to 3rd.
Second was effectively locked out when it hit 3rd.
I rebuilt the tranny this past month and have also set mine back to stock settings.
I'll find out this spring...
As to the engine bogging and dying.
Under what circumstances does it happen?
Is it hot or still cold?
Do you temp the engine? What is it?
How many teeth are on your clutch and spur gears?
Things you have to take into account...
Shift points for a 13 / 52 combo are different than a 17 / 46 combo.
Does it ever shift out of first while you're tooling around?
As a test, I'll pick the Savage up and give it some decent revs (not WOT), but just enough to see if I can feel it shift.
With no load, you can start slow, and add revs as required.
There are circumstances when shifting into a taller gear too early, and not being able to maintain revs, bogs down an engine.
Having said all that, if the engine is running right, with the Savage hitting what should be the shift point; and it's not shifting, you will need to adjust and test to find the sweet spot (or spots).
It's trial and error.
Not shifting at all - I usually start making by quarter (90 degree) turns out (counterclockwise) and test.
There are decent odds you'll overshoot, but easy to correct.
Shifting too early, you go the other way.
Unfortunately, with older Savages, adjusting 2nd requires you to open it up and pull out the idler shaft.
But at least you can pop the top and externally adjust 3rd.
