6.5 hp engine (Honda Gx200 Clone)

[nileshc]

I got a honda gx200 clone engine and I am thinking of converting my electric go kart into a gas powered go kart. I do need to rebuild the engine and get it in working condition but since racing go karts use 6.5 hp engines, I have heard they require lots of maintenance like rebuilding it about every 50-60 hours. Do Honda gx200 clone require lots of maintenance too? I am very new to using gas engines.

 

[jandj]

How much maintenance it takes depends on how much you mod it and how hard (and for how long) you run it. What are your plans? Also, which clone (blue, yellow, red, Lifan, Ducor, Greyhound, etc) do you have?

 

[88nightrider]

One of the things that wear faster on a racing engine is the piston and rings. Lighter and thinner rings wear faster.
And everything wear faster the more RPM's you are running.
So rebuild frequancy depends on how hard you are going to run the engine.
In short, what Jack said

 

[landuse]

If it is a fun kart, you probably won't need to rebuild very often at all. They can last years just as they are

 

[gallagher19]

I got a honda gx200 clone engine and I am thinking of converting my electric go kart into a gas powered go kart. I do need to rebuild the engine and get it in working condition but since racing go karts use 6.5 hp engines, I have heard they require lots of maintenance like rebuilding it about every 50-60 hours. Do Honda gx200 clone require lots of maintenance too? I am very new to using gas engines.

I agree with all posts above. I have 5 karts in total and 3 of them are clone engines. We do race them, but only for fun on our track. Therefore we don't run them as much as the guys who race weekly at a track (hard all the time). I have 2 to 3 years on my engines so far. A couple are getting a little weak, therefore I will be replacing them most likely end of this year or next year. I have spares waiting by the way. At $100 an engine I figure why waste my time rebuilding if it blows up anyways. Just keep them for parts in case someone needs them. LOL

I have way more than 50-60 hours on my engines. I would guess that I run them 60-80 hours each year.

I run on dirt and maintain them by changing the oil every 10-12 hours of running, change filter after every run. Seems to work great for me.

Those engines run great and are a great choice really for the money. I wouldn't hesitate to put one in. JMO

 

[jandj]

Keep in mind that unless you yank the governor (in which case, to err on the side of caution even though some don't and haven't had a problem - I'd recommend replacing the rod & flywheel) you're only gonna get 3600 rpm ( a little more if you tinker with the governor adjustment ).....which will move a fun kart along right smartly. You can see some real hp improvement by removing the gov., installing some heavier springs, a good exhaust and a free flow air filter, re-jetting the carb to .039 and leaving everything else stock. Of course, there's the cam....and some headwork....a flat top piston....but then you get into thinking about better lifters and pushrods for the added spring pressure and higher rpm's...it all depends on what you want and how much you can spend. I'd try it stock first and see what you think and go from there. Don't lose sight of the fact that a fun kart isn't designed to handle like a race kart. It is possible to have more hp than you need for your kart which can reduce the fun by what is known as the "Saw the road, saw the sky, saw the ground " syndrome.

 

[nileshc]

Thanks for your advice. I have Jiangdong engine and heres a link http://www.monsterscooterparts.com/196-cc-jf200-mini-bike-engine.html. On the engine it looks like there is major rust on the exhaust and the shaft so I'm assuming that there will be major repairs need to be done. Also when I rebuild an engine what I am supposed to look for and fix. I have never rebuilt an engine before. Also I will be using the engine about 1-2 hours almost every day for just the summer, so I'm assuming that rebuilding the engine won't be too much of a big deal for me over the long run. Also what gear size would be the best for me on the axle and on the motor. I have 10 inch wheels, with the engine running at 3600 rpm, and the cart will weigh about 210-220lbs with a rider.

 

[landuse]

Post some pics of your engine for us to see. It might just be external rust. The internals could be just fine. Have a look at MY REBUILD theread. I also knew nothing about engines.

 

[jandj]

I run a 12 tooth clutch and 72 tooth sprocket. Works pretty good.

 

[nileshc]

Here are some pics

 

[azarak]

what does it look like inside the gas tank?
motor still has governor, if the tank is clean,drain and replace the oil,drain the float bowel,clean the plug, new fuel, bolt it down and see what happens.

 

[mckutzy]

I see a new exhaust, A new recoil, a good carb lemon juice boil in your future. Also potentially a new coil as the plug wire looks a bit buggered.
Thats a start, does it turn over, any compression?

 

[nileshc]

The shaft moves and I here a sound that sounds like the piston compressing air.

 

[landuse]

But does it sound like it wants to start?

 

[nileshc]

I've never used a small gas engine before, so I don't know what that sounds like. Also what exhaust should I use?

 

[Man Scout Cookies]

Heck that dosent look too bad compared to some I've seen you can probably get away with all the parts that are on there.

Go ahead and check the airfilter out unscrew the thumbscrew on the black plastic thing and pull the cover off once the screw is removed. Make sure to remove any debris inside before removing the air filter which will be a piece of foam and then take out the air filter and make sure it is clean( you may need to replace that).

I would definitely check out that muffler something about it doesn't look right to me like it is missing something. To be on the safeside I would remove the muffler and check it out to see if there is damage and clean the carbon.

Make sure to check the oil and to er on the side of caution change the oil you don't know where its been.

Also like others have said open the fuel tank and shine a light (not fire) down there and check if it is dirty or rusty in there if it looks good you are good to go. Make sure to remove the old gas( you can disconnect the fuel line to drain) and fill it up.

A 4 cycle like the one you have can be started without being mounted to a piece of equipment just put it down on something soft like grass and hopefully your janky rigged pull start will accept a piece of dowel so you can start it up.

I've never used a small gas engine before, so I don't know what that sounds like.

A motor like that as you are pulling the cord should feel easy at most parts of the draw stroke and then the pull will become good and stiff at the compression stroke of the motor.
It should sound like it is sucking and blowing real good I'm sorry I don't know how else to describe it.

edit:Upon closer inspection of your pullstart it looks like it is missing a screw go ahead and make sure that the pull start is securely on the rest of the motor for safety the oil on the ground reminds me of a honda I took in with a cracked crankcase hopefully you just played with the oil caps.

 

[nileshc]

How do I check if the muffler is damaged or broken?

 

[nileshc]

Also Can I clean the air filter or does it always have to be replaced

 

[mckutzy]

First where abouts are you located. This will help determine on how cheap things get.

A new muffler is fairly cheap, but also a home made one is cheaper, if you can scrounge for the pieces, I did and made one. Due to the rust on the outside and how badly corroded it is, Id say it is toast.
Filter is also pretty cheap, any lawn mower shop will have them.

 

[nileshc]

How would you make your own exhaust? I would like to make it quiet as possible.