I want a Manco American Express but can't find one. What else is like it?

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Bmr4Karts

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I doubt it tbh since the later 388-15 ...
I mean look at the chassis drawing and try to spot the difference to the 390.. I can't see any:
https://americanlandmaster.com/pdfs/gokarts-minibikes/model-388/388_operatorsmanual_38815.pdf

it's a different part number however.. soooo *shrugs*

'sid

Either my ability to compare these two is off or the Dingo has a WB that is more than one inch longer. I wish there was a pic of them side by side.

https://images.app.goo.gl/xrRGRSxsAEP6Ukhe6
 

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itsid

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Well I took a ruler to my screen and measured the AmEx right side wheelbase in the pic
Fast Eddie provided (exactly 8cm on the one I attached earlier)

Then measured 8cm from the Dingo's left front wheel center to the rear wheel
and IDK but that's pretty much where I'd say the axle should be.
So yeah maybe within a mm or two that ought to be correct..

Sure pics are deceiving (that's why I took the wheels closest to one another)

But 8/45 is about 1.77.. so every real world inch would read as 1.77mm on my ruler no?
that doesn't seem too far off to me
NO, it's not accurate, by no means it could be..
but as an indicator ... IDK I'd call that good enough :D

but I couldn't tell if that Dingo is a 390 or a 385-05 either
(both share the exact same layout when stripped to the chassis)
heck it could be a 389 (identical front layout to both of the above) *shrugs*

'sid
 

Dingocat

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When I get the chance I'll measure, neithor kart has a back axle on it right now and the dingo is pretty much just tube, no floorpan.
 

Karttekk

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Those exploded view drawings are nearly worthless for identification as they were intended only for parts listings, thus they’re not truly accurate.

‘Bout darn time we created some side by side comparison photos of the 225 versus the 285, plus measurements, considering the cult status of these particular Mancos.

Those exploded views are from factory manuals. I've used them several times to identify different models and have found them very accurate and a great help. I don't know of any other options to research Manco or American Landmaster products other than what the factory issues.
 

Hellion

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Those exploded views are from factory manuals. I've used them several times to identify different models and have found them very accurate and a great help. I don't know of any other options to research Manco or American Landmaster products other than what the factory issues.

Well, let me rephrase. Those are good drawings and I too use them for identification because that’s (as yet) all we have to go on. There’s basically nothing else to go on; no glossy sales brochures, fliers, original color photos or anything else anywhere to be found. Sad.

But the exploded views are not technical drawings (blueprints) with dimensions and/or measurements and so the 285 Dingo and 225 Am Ex controversy continues. Do they share the same basic frame or are they different?
 

Dingocat

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A pic to keep yall goimg for a bit, couldn't find a measuring tape. Possible measurments tomorrow
 

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itsid

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huh?
that front axle bracing does not look original ..
reaches too far back IMHO to be a Dingo bracing

You sure it's not a 225 with some PO modification?

'sid
 

Bmr4Karts

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Well I've got some good news and slightly bad news. Good news is I caught what I think is a 285 type Dingo (front bumper says Dingo) for $50 tonight. Drove 1.5hrs round trip to get it. Once I got it home I measured the wheelbase because it looked long. Well it measured 54". There's no way this is a big Dingo because it fit in my station wagon. Turns out the rear end has been cut and extended with some pipe. No welds that I can see though, just friction fit. That's the bad news. I don't want it long so I'll figure out how to get those out and get this welded back to stock length.
 

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Hellion

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Congrats! Good score.



Fix the chassis back to original and rescue that poor thing.
That plate hanging off the front is the original front bracket for the roll cage. Might be worth something to somebody.
 

Bmr4Karts

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I want to strip it down and repaint it also. Guess that's what I'll be doing this weekend as well as getting those pipes out and finding someone to weld it and checking all the bearings and such. It squeaks louding when turning the steering wheel. I guess I'll find the cause during the tear down.
 

Dingocat

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huh?
that front axle bracing does not look original ..
reaches too far back IMHO to be a Dingo bracing

You sure it's not a 225 with some PO modification?

'sid

Have the rest of frame and serial number, the left side of the front axle was bent an inch back so we had to cut the brace and re-weld it after bending it back, and the steering support is extended like 4in. It's interesting. They also broke the seat back off at the bar in the back and welded it together with round stock on the outside, didn't even bother to weld where it actually broke. same for the parts where the "brush guard" bolts together.
Bmr: Nice dingo, wonder if you could get that tube out, shorten it and use that to be the inner piece for a weld there.
 

Bmr4Karts

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Any other tips for welding supports? I have to pay a welder anyway so I'll have them hit up everything.

Also, did you sand it bare in that picture?

---------- Post added at 11:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:40 PM ----------

Bmr: Nice dingo, wonder if you could get that tube out, shorten it and use that to be the inner piece for a weld there.

I hope so, that's my plan.
 

Kentucky Boy

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It’s sanded bare. Getting ready to paint it and put a rediculous motor on it. If I were you I would have all the cutting and grinding done before you take it to have it welded. Might save you some money.
 

itsid

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I don't want it long so I'll figure out how to get those out and get this welded back to stock length.

Awesome fiind! :thumbsup:
Congrats!

Now the friction fitted tube shouldn't be much of an issue..
feed some penetrating oil into the seam as good as you can,
wait for a while (an hour or such) and use a propane torch to heat the original tubing.
then add some more penetrating oil and start pulling...
that should give you the the expansion and reduced friction you need to get the two apart again.
only remove the inner tube from the front part of the chassis.

cut of to maybe 4" of stick out,
then see how much of the tube is actually sticking in the rear tube..
if less than 1.5"-2" hammer it in a bit more
then just cut a small slit on the underside of the original tube
(trying to not harm the inner) 3/4"-1" from the edge.
then weld the inner tube to the outer one.

Cut off the inner tube to about 2" of stick out, add a bit of chamfer and
put the halves back together
leave ~ 1/8" of gap between the original tubes (cutting blade width ;))
measure wheelbase straight as well as diagonally and adjust where needed.

then weld the seam filling in the gap.
once done you can sand/file down the weldbeads to make it one continuous tube again..
as solid as the original was (or stronger)
not having added too much weight either.

'sid
 

Bmr4Karts

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I had the same thought with tubes. I do have a small torch, but I also have a strong heat gun.

---------- Post added at 10:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:44 AM ----------

It’s sanded bare. Getting ready to paint it and put a rediculous motor on it. If I were you I would have all the cutting and grinding done before you take it to have it welded. Might save you some money.

I was thinking the same as well. I have everything needed for pre and post welding. Just don't have 220v to power the welder and also don't want spend big bucks on a good 120v.

One sec, could I use this welder? If so, I'll just buy it. I have installed a 20amp 120v breaker and outlet in the basement (went overkill for the treadmill).

Video of welder.
 

Bansil

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If you can weld already, you could make that work on the 1/16 or so frame welds. It would just be harder to learn on by yourself, pick it up and watch youtube videos. Just make sure to get good penetration
 

Bmr4Karts

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If you can weld already, you could make that work on the 1/16 or so frame welds. It would just be harder to learn on by yourself, pick it up and watch youtube videos. Just make sure to get good penetration

Can't weld yet but have watched videos of it for years. Always wanted to. I'll practice on some scrap.
 
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