Gen. Mayhem- Racing Tractor

[Doc Sprocket]

Some of the goodies I just scored... 8" Aluminum Jr Dragster rims (and slicks), 1 1/4" hollow axle, wheel hubs, rotor and hub, fibreglass auto racing seat, fibreglass kart racing seat, aluminum kart steering wheel, Hilliard clutch, battery master switch.

One good thing to come out of the "Tetanus Tractor" (The donor I bought for the engine)- This go kart axle. It's a 1" axle stepped down to 3/4" at the ends. Featuring four pillow block bearings, a nice, vented brake rotor with an aluminum hub, and an always-useful #40 weld-on sprocket and hub.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Some highlights from the "Tetanus Tractor"-

 

[OzFab]

Hey, I didn't see the vid there earlier; that sounds mean

If I didn't get it before, I now get the nickname

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Hey, I didn't see the vid there earlier; that sounds mean

If I didn't get it before, I now get the nickname

Yeah- no kidding, eh? You didn't notice the video before because it took me awhile to add it. I don't know why it's so wobbly, though. Yeesh. I'm tempted to shoot another clip before I pull the engine. Meh- we'll see.

 

[anderkart]

Hey nice score on all those parts

I guess the racing slicks are no good to me!

Are those stiff-sidewall or wrinkle walls? What brand/model/size?

Lots of guys groove slicks for racekarts, maybe you could too. I built a DIY (ghetto-groover) using an old Weller brand soldering gun. The mod is simply attaching a curved 4" razor/scraper blade instead of the regular soldering gun tip. I heat/bend the blades into a U-shape, so each end bolts onto soldering guns 2 conductors. Its easy and works good, if your interested in building one I'll post some pics and more info.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Club rules state that I can only use turfs, and specifically state no cutting of tires. As for what type, I have absolutely no idea. My racing goody knowledge is sweet zip. I can tell you this, though-

"American Racer, 15.0/7.0-8S CASCAR CY8J"

 

[matman55]

have you considered swaping the pulley on it? are you going to build a new clutch ?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

have you considered swaping the pulley on it? are you going to build a new clutch ?

This build is being done according to the rule-book of a (semi-)local sanctioning body. You're darn tootin', I'm changing pulleys and fabbing a new clutch. Frankly, said and done, the only remnant of the original tractor will be the frame, grille, hood, and fenders.

*11hp Briggs single out, 18hp Briggs opposed twin in.
*Peerless 800, 5-spd transaxle out, Peerless 700 3-spd transmission in.
*1 1/4" hollow live axle in
*Useless mechanical tranny brake out, motorcycle-origin hydro disc brakes in
*Scary front axle, knuckles, spindles etc, out, DIY built-like-brick-outhouse 2x2" axlebeam, knuckles, 3/4" spindles in.
*Spooky steering mechanism, plastic wheel, hollow column, cheezy rod ends out, Aluminum kart steering wheel, solid steel column on pillow blocks, direct steering with Heim joints in,
*Bushed front wheels with crappy, cracked, old ribbed tires out, bearing steel wheels with brand new turfs in.
*Rear 3/4" bore steel wheels with dinosaur-era, leaky-@$$ed turfs out, Shiny aluminum Douglas Jr. Dragster rims with freshly minted rubber in.
*Nondescript factory single-pulley belt tensioner clutch out, custom fabbed grab-and-go double pulley clutch in.
*Weatherbeaten 32-year-old tractor seat out, fibreglass racing seat in.

And then there's all the wiring, switches, controls... Upon completion, this tractor will pass tech inspection and be cleared to race (and be competitive) in sanctioned events. This is my goal.

So... You tell me!

Oh, WAIT!!!! I think I'm gonna keep the original ammeter!!!

EDIT- This is the crappy part. I'm about to go outside, and start scrubbing 32 years of oil, grease, grass clippings, and unidentified spoo off the chassis....

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Wow! 32 years of yuck later... ! What made it all that much harder was having to scrub it by hand and rinse with a garden pump sprayer. I am on a well, and we are in a drought- so the pressure washer was completely out of the question.

 

[sideways]

we are in a drought

Your endless green lawn and high weeds say otherwise!

How's the chassis rigidity on that thing?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Your endless green lawn and high weeds say otherwise!

trust me, it looks a LOT better in the pics than in person.

How's the chassis rigidity on that thing?

Insufficient, I'm sure. With a tight track and live axle, I want the inside rear tire to lift a little in the turns. It is likely too flexible to allow that right now. I will be reinforcing the frame with some 1" SHS. Also, the frame crossmembers are factory riveted. I will be welding those joints.

EDIT- I just pulled the engine outta the TT and dropped it on the frame. Oh, BOY, am I gonna have some fitment issues!!!! Kinda like sticking a V8 into a VW Beetle!

 

[matman55]

man, you are realli being thurough with this build. i plan to make my craftsmen lt2000 somewhat of a racer. im putin 9in pulley on front and 3in or 4in on 6speedtransaxel. ill take the governor out of the 17.5 500cc briggs engine. and mabey make a new clutch,or just make the one i have better. it'll be more screwin around and impressin the girls than for racing.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

man, you are realli being thurough with this build. i plan to make my craftsmen lt2000 somewhat of a racer. im putin 9in pulley on front and 3in or 4in on 6speedtransaxel. ill take the governor out of the 17.5 500cc briggs engine. and mabey make a new clutch,or just make the one i have better. it'll be more screwin around and impressin the girls than for racing.

I decided to challenge myself. I WAS thinking about putting my 140cc pitbike engine in there for giggles, but decided it was more of a challenge to present myself with a rule book and force myself to stick to it.

 

[B.M.800]

trust me, it looks a LOT better in the pics than in person.

Hmmm... might just stop by to see for myself! Ill be in your countryside in about a week. Nother fishin trip.

it'll be more screwin around and impressin the girls than for racing.

What kind of chicks you got there? Impress by a modified mower?
Gadzooks...

 

[OzFab]

EDIT- I just pulled the engine outta the TT and dropped it on the frame. Oh, BOY, am I gonna have some fitment issues!!!! Kinda like sticking a V8 into a VW Beetle!

Meh, I've seen that done

 

[matman55]

what kind of chicks you got there? Impress by a modified mower?
Gadzooks...


i have the best ones, they are the ones who arnt totaly oblivouse to how engines and mechanical what nots work.and how to fix/Mod them. they also know how to and why to drink a beer. those kinda girls are the best.

 

[landuse]

i have the best ones, they are the ones who arnt totaly oblivouse to how engines and mechanical what nots work.and how to fix/Mod them. they also know how to and why to drink a beer. those kinda girls are the best.

They are also not always the best looking either.....

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Boy, could this turn bad fast!!! You guys are killing me!

At any rate, I;m going to have to do some hood clearancing, and try to figure out how to squeeze the fuel tank and steering column in the remaining space between the engine and cowl. That oughta be entertaining.

 

[B man]

Boy, could this turn bad fast!!! You guys are killing me!

At any rate, I;m going to have to do some hood clearancing, and try to figure out how to squeeze the fuel tank and steering column in the remaining space between the engine and cowl. That oughta be entertaining.

make ether a traditional hood scoop or maybe even a Ram air design!

 

[matman55]

They are also not always the best looking either.....

theres a few... I tend to stay away from them.