Engine options???

[jpcjguy]

Hi all,

I am new here - just posted in the Introduce yourself forum. Picked up a Hammerhead 80T for my twin boys - age 6 (in Feb).
Done some maintenance on it - bearings, seats, bushings, etc.

Here is a pic:

Now the next thing - the engine. It did ran when I got it (for the brief test drive) and figures it wont start right now....
It is a JF200 with electric start and looks rough. Gas tank held on by bungee cords, booger welded exhaust, etc. Pic:

So before I dump money into this, I was looking at options. I would like to keep the electric start (just bought a battery). I was under the impression I could get a predator 212 and add my electric start parts - but now after a bunch of reading, I think that might not work.
Anyone shed some light on this?
$99 would be sweet, but without electric as an option that is a no go. Kids are too small (tall but skinny) to pull start it and I know the wife will not go for it.

Thanks!
Joe

 

[KartFab]

The exhaust is an easy fix, people are always throwing away the stock mufflers to put on performance mufflers. I bet you could get one for $5 plus shipping. Any honda gx160, honda gx200, box stock clone, or greyhound 6.5 hp engine exhaust will be an exact match to that engine.

Unfortunately, you cannot use the same electric start on that engine on a predator 212cc. The flywheel taper is different.

Also, look on ebay for "JF200 gas tank" you will see you can get a new one with a cap, but whats wrong with the old one? Is it just missing some bolts? Threads stripped? Im not certain, but the tank looks like its very close to the gx200 tank. Exact match? Maybe?

I really like the JF200 engines and they are reliable.

Also, if you look on ombwarehouse.com they have a 'hemi vs nonhemi' guide that shows what flywheel with charging system works on the predator engines, but again, this will cost more money, and im not sure if it incorporates electric start.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

This is very similar to a Predator, but electric start, or I'm sure you could swap parts to get this electric start on a predator.

http://www.brandnewengines.com/LF170F-BDQ.aspx

I also make everyone who rides be able to start it, if for no other reason than I don't have to trudge a crossed a field to do it for them lol, but also safety.

 

[jpcjguy]

Too bad I can't swap the electric start parts over to the predator - that would be ideal. Someone should make a flywheel for the predator that could use the honda clone electric start parts.....
Can I safely assume that my Jiangdong JF200 is a honda clone? So I could find a GX200 and swap over the electric parts?

 

[OzFab]

Can I safely assume that my Jiangdong JF200 is a honda clone?

You certainly can; just about all of those engines are Honda clones... all except the Predator, it's changed just enough to be completely incompatible with a Honda clone...

So, why not do a little investigating into why your engine won't start? It could be as simple as a dirty carb or a dead spark plug...

 

[jpcjguy]

You certainly can; just about all of those engines are Honda clones... all except the Predator, it's changed just enough to be completely incompatible with a Honda clone...

So, why not do a little investigating into why your engine won't start? It could be as simple as a dirty carb or a dead spark plug...

I am doing that now. I ordered a new gas tank - I took it off last night and wow - looked like animal chewed up the metal! I did get it running with a little starter fluid but it ran horrible. I went ahead and ordered a new carb.

 

[landuse]

I am doing that now. I ordered a new gas tank - I took it off last night and wow - looked like animal chewed up the metal! I did get it running with a little starter fluid but it ran horrible. I went ahead and ordered a new carb.

Did you try clean the old carb? They are pretty simple, and a good clean usually does the trick

 

[jpcjguy]

I did and I need new gaskets all around. By the time I add up the gasket cost, a new carb was only $5 more - and it came with new fuel line and fuel filter.

---------- Post added at 09:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 AM ----------

So - since I would like to replace that beautiful booger weld exhaust pipe, I have been looking at some mild performance packages - basically air filter and exhaust. I assume I would need a new jet for the carb also. It is worth it? My boys are 6 (about 1 month ago) and I don't need them going super fast. But paying $18-25 for a stock muffler seems like money wasted. I figure they are going to get older and want more performance (will govern it now) and eventually my almost 3 year old daughter will get this. Is it worth it for one of the $100 air filter, exhaust, new jet, etc kits? I figure I am 1/4 way there with a muffler.....

Thanks

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I only spent like 60 dollar's on my header, jet's, e-tube, and air filter.

 

[jpcjguy]

Please share where!

 

[Jrgunn5150]

The header came from Ebay seller, jtwfabrication 29.00
The Filter from OMB, via Ebay, 36.00
Jet from OMB, vis Ebay also, 5.90

So i guess to be fair I spent 70, but that's why I pieced it together like that, I knew I could do better than paying for a "Kit"

 

[jpcjguy]

Jrgunn5150 - thanks for the info. I go back and forth on what to do regarding the performance upgrade. I am concerned about any pipe sticking out the back. One of the kids (6, 6, and almost 3) is bound to grab it. I wonder if just a stock muffler would be the best bet. Not as loud and safer. If when they are older in a few years I can re-evaluate. I can get a cheap muffler off ebay for about $15 shipped.
Will I notice a performance drop going to a stock muffler from that booger welded rusty pipe that is on there now?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Well, they'll only grab it once lol. But I understand, tough call. My pipe doesn't actually stick out the back of mine, it's pretty even with a crossbar I have back there.

A stock muffler would probably be best for you, for now, they are very young. You can always upgrade later.

I never ran mine stock, so I really don't know what effect it had on performance truthfully.

I know I weight about 260 lbs, and my performance with my big butt in the seat is satisfactory, if not exhilarating.

 

[jpcjguy]

I know what you mean. I am 6'5" and about 240 - you should have seen me stuffed into that little hammerhead 80T. My head sticking out the side to keep from smacking the roll bar. Cue the circus clown music! But man o man - was it fun!!! I picked up a Baja dune 150 for $200. Need to completely redo the seats and a reverse cable - that is more for me and the wife and almost 3 year old.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I know what you mean. I am 6'5" and about 240 - you should have seen me stuffed into that little hammerhead 80T. My head sticking out the side to keep from smacking the roll bar. Cue the circus clown music! But man o man - was it fun!!! I picked up a Baja dune 150 for $200. Need to completely redo the seats and a reverse cable - that is more for me and the wife and almost 3 year old.

I also got this for the kid's in the family, I'm 6'5 also lol. It's really fun, until you actually look up and around, then you're like, oh yeah, i drive this fast everyday lol. Plus, myself and one child completely fill the poor thing lol.

The Dune 150 will be alot of fun! I've been eyeing them and the similar karts also for myself and my GF

 

[jpcjguy]

I am actually eyeballing another one. A Carbide Fox 150cc:

asking $800. This way my wife and daughter can be in the dune and I can rip in one by myself!

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Yeah the GY6 powered karts look like a nice bridge between a yard kart like mine and a full on buggy or RZR, I'm not that serious about it lol, not to the tune of 8,000 bucks or way more.

 

[jpcjguy]

$8,000?!?? yikes! that is more than I paid for my Jeep on 38"s with 347 stroker!

 

[Jrgunn5150]

$8,000?!?? yikes! that is more than I paid for my Jeep on 38"s with 347 stroker!

That's exactly how I feel about RZR's, but, they can go down the ATV trails. I'm really likely to buy a Chevy Tracker and gut it lol.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Here's a shot of my pipe and how it fit's my kart,