new guy lotza questions

[choppedandtwisted]

I picked up a go kart chassis this weekend (15.00) and a Coleman high pressure washer with a 3.5 hp Briggs motor (20.00). The plan is obvious enough I guess. So far I've redesigned the belt tensioner on the rear axle setup so it functions as it should and operates smoothly. I fabbed up an exhaust system from a Fox Racing snowmobile pipe that the seller gave me, and I welded up pulleys for the motor and rear setup. By this weekend I am hoping to make an old school straight axle with either springs or MC coils, Figure out how to hook up a throttle cable to operate with the gas pedal already on the frame, and replace the belt inside of the rearend assembly. Oh and lengthen the frame so I actually fit! lol

Okay now to the questions...
I realize a 3.5 hp motor is kind of small but it is what I have to work with right now. Should I/ how do I remove the governor? Where is it located? Is there anyway to hook up an electric starter, and maybe some lights? I see a lot of talk about different carbs to use and I had an idea on that too, that I wanted to run past you guys. Has anyone ever used carbs off say a 1.5 hp Briggs push mower on a motor this large? I am thinking of making a log style intake and running 2 of them at once from some old motors I have laying around . Is that a bad idea? Any tips for doing this type of setup? Thanks for all your help,
Jeff
Hopefully I'll be able to get some pics by the weekend.
It is a 3.5 hp flathead model # 9121200220293020303

[dpaxson]

before you try to make your engine more powerful, you should make sure it will work with the cart. i seem to remember someone said most power washer motors have a tapered shaft. if it has a normal shaft then all you have to do to remove the governor is to disconnect the spring that holds the throttle open and hook up a cable linkage.

[choppedandtwisted]

I assume you mean the section of crankshaft sticking out to run a pulley off. Mine doesn't appear to be tapered. I have had the pulleys on it already and fired it up. Sounds kind of bad *** with the PSI racing pipe on it. I never thought such a little motor could sound so tough. I am confused with the spring on the throttle. I disconnected the throttle control lever (fast,idle,off) and I was going to use the lever coming up from below the gas tank to control the throttle. I can't see anyplace where it is connected to the motor and it works pretty slick as a throttle control. Is the governor inside the crankcase? There is also a lever from the throttle to inside the blower case. It is attached to a thin piece of aluminum which hangs next to the flywheel. Is that a type of governor? Sorry if all these questions seem a little stupid, but this is the very first small engine I've ever worked on. What is a good price for a vanguard 5.5 hp motor? The local hardware has one that has been sitting on the shelf for about 3 years now for 359.00. I thought this seemed quite high. Thanks,
Jeff

[dpaxson]

the little piece of metal that hangs by the flywheel is the governor. you have to hook up a cable to the place where the governor used to be on the throttle to control it manually. post some pics of the engine. the governor linkage may be covered up by plastic or something.

[choppedandtwisted]

I'll try and get pics tomorrow. Thanks for your replies.
Jeff

[mike75925]

as far as 359 for a motor that may need new seals, go to harbor freight and get you a 6.5 for 120. lawn mower carbs are not built too well.