1997 Manco Dingo 813-00: Project Sex Change

[silverlakez]

I realized I had an almost build thread going in the intro section. So I'm starting a build thread instead in the right place, and because I've been texting pics to my wife to prove I"m working on her kart, I actually have pics!!!

This was a Kart that sat outside for 6 years minus the engine before I got it. The original honda engine still runs great, but on a wood splitter. It came mostly complete minus the engine. But it did have a complete comet 40 (I think) TC set up, and a brand new chain.

This is project Sex Change because it went from being a big HP boy's toy, to a 6.5 predator engine and being painted PINK!!!

I've done a TON of cleaning and painting. I've also found that it's missing a few of the bolts that would help me mount my jackshaft plate and engine.

[silverlakez]

Making the engine fit with my current TC has been a learning experience, and making my TC that has been sitting out side work again has taken a lot of time and energy. I've had that thing on and off my engine 6 times today alone. Every time I put it on and try it out, I realize there was something I needed to do. I ordered a sleeve with a key that would fit both sides. But I didn't realize my clutch has a fixed key. Oh well, the guy I bought it from on ebay was cheaper than anyone else, really nice, and he had it to my house by saturday after I ordered it late thursday night.

I ended up shaving down the original key that comes with the engine. I figure that if I screwed it up, it would be the cheapest thing to replace. it's working so far, but I think I took to much off it. Another issue was I needed a spacer from the shaft to the clutch to keep it away from my engine!! So 2 washers later, I was happy.

I thought I had done a really good job with a had wire brush cleaning things up. NOPE!! So I've been putting the pieces of my clutch on the shaft, firing up my motor (it needs to be broken in anyway) and using sand paper and 0000 grade steel wool, cleaning the hell out of it. Looks almost new and is engaging and disengaging a lot better, still needs dry lube.

[silverlakez]

I'm going to post an after pic of that clutch. looks much better now. But now I'm worried about the driven pulley system, how bad will that be and what can I do about it without messing with the bigger spring?

And I'll have some better pics of the finished project.

[silverlakez]

I worked on cleaning up the front steering and suspension parts tonight. Plus Here are some bad pics of my pulley's now. Even though the pics aren't the best, you can see that they really shine now.

[souperman000]

lookin good!

[silverlakez]

My wife has been working on getting the seats recovered and decorated. So I figured I'd get some pics of that as well.

[chris_the_poser]

poor dingo. jk looks good man keep up the good work

[landuse]

Well done. Your wife is going to love riding it. My daughter would be envious of all the pink

[silverlakez]

Thanks guys. I felt so bad for the dingo in it's last life that I'm okay with painting it pink!!

If my daughter gets into it, then I can see me putting a 400ish cc snowmobile engine in it with a old blaster suspension for front and rear. I could have both for under $500 if I buy the blaster in the winter (no engine) and get a sled in the summer.