Question regarding what engine to use...

[fishrcool]

My friends and I are considering building a go kart this summer and we are trying to decide what type of motor to use. I thought using a lawn mower engine would be a good, but after a few hours of seaching the internet, decided using a vertical shaft engine would be too difficult (unless you guys can suggest anything) . Would using an engine stripped from something like a weed wacker or a leaf blower or a chainsaw be feasible? It seems like an engine from a tiller or an edger would be better but it would probably break our budget.

 

[r_chez_08]

depending on what your budget is, a gx200 clone is a good engine ($150ish) but if that is too mutch a 5hp briggs or tech is good.

 

[fishrcool]

A weed wacker or chainsaw or something like that won't work? These already have clutches so it seems like if i can find one big enough they would be perfect. I've been checking craigslist for engines but im not sure what i should be looking for...

 

[anderkart]

A weed wacker or chainsaw or something like that won't work?

The problem is they're clutches aren't designed to drive go kart type chains. (they can probably be modded to work but it most likely wont be easy or cheap)

 

[THE HUNTER]

weed whackers [coughcough*line-trimmer*cough... lol] and most common chainsaws are only good for scooters or bicycles (not true minibikes).
though they do have some huge chain saws out there that would power a real kart. but they are way more expensive than just buying an engine of the same power.
5hp Briggs/Tec/Honda(or clone) would be good if your looking for a kart.

 

[fishrcool]

My dad found an old 5hp briggs at his work, i think it came out of a shredder...

 

[fishrcool]

My dad found an old 5hp briggs at his work, i think it came out of a shredder...

My dad brought it home, i guess it worked when my dad parked it there a year or two ago. I haven't tried it yet but im guessing that its not going to start up. What am i going to have to do to get it running again?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

2 years aint bad, just clean the carb and plug, and empty the tank and it should start right up.