Identifying a Go Kart

[marcusp]

Just picked up this go kart two days ago. My coworker has had it for years and it got flooded during hurricane Helene last year so he just let me have it. It hasn't worked in quite few years, he thinks that maybe the block is cracked but can't remember exactly, he also says that it is a two stroke. I may just be bad at using Google but I have yet to figure out what this kart is. I've not seen any sort of serial or model numbers on the engine block yet, as soon as I get some free time I will try and tear all the plastic covers off and see what I can figure out. I'd like to know what kind of kart it is so that I can have a little more information on rebuilding it. I was originally planning on doing a predator swap on this but maybe it's better to find an engine that fits these rod style engine mounts and doesn't have an engine plate. What is yalls opinion? My welding experience has lasted all of about 26.5 minutes, but I don't mind to start learning and to cut out the rack and add a plate.. Just mulling over my options here . Apologies for the bad quality photos and dirty shed

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Road boss.

 

[Hellion]

Does it have a really narrow track in the rear and a wide track in the front-or is that an optical illusion? Looks like it might have a GY6 engine with FNR tranny.

I may just be bad at using Google

Gargle hasn’t been good in years. It used to comb anything and everything to get results but now it’s very controlled and curated. Plus it’s evil.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Yup its a gy6 type engine. Some had FNR box, some don't.
Depends on how much fab work you want to do. Usually direct replacement is easiest. Look harder for a number on that engine. It could be anything from 50 to 250cc and either 2 or 4 stroke.

Some better pics will help.
Lets get her running...

 

[Denny]

That messy shed is totally unforgivable. How do you expect us to help you work on it if we can’t even see the floor? We could break an ankle or a little toe. Then we would walk funny. Do you really want us to walk funny? Please clean that mess up. Ask Master Hack for organizational tips. His shop is well organized.

I don’t think I can say what that engine is without better pictures.

 

[marcusp]

Thank yall, the gy6 clue helps a lot. A quick google search seems as if it is the exact same engine. Since the engine has been flooded I will most likely do a direct replacement if possible, Ill have to learn about these engines and how much power they are capable of since I want it to be able to haul me around quite nicely. Not that I won't still tinker with this one- I'm just not sure its worth the money after sitting for 15 years and being fully submerged.

Does it have a really narrow track in the rear and a wide track in the front-or is that an optical illusion? Looks like it might have a GY6 engine with FNR tranny.

That is an optical illusion lol.

That messy shed is totally unforgivable. How do you expect us to help you work on it if we can’t even see the floor? We could break an ankle or a little toe. Then we would walk funny. Do you really want us to walk funny? Please clean that mess up. Ask Master Hack for organizational tips. His shop is well organized.

I don’t think I can say what that engine is without better pictures.

I am dearly sorry, I will lay out caution tape until I can clean it further. I don't want to be sued for negligent and hazardous working conditions. More pictures are coming as soon as I can switch from my laptop to my phone.

 

[marcusp]

Not the best quality, these are just some I've taken to document my progress in the futile hopes that I will be able to figure out how to put it back together... let me know if there's anything specific yall wanna see better.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Yamaha yj1 engine. 50cc from the 60s.

Since it identifies as a submarine I'd ditch it.

If you can weld and fab stuff you could make an industrial engine fit. Drive train would need to me fabbed also.

Or just buy a new gy6 and bolt in in.

Thats a common knee-thru scooter type engine.

They make electric and kick start models.

They make a long and a short case. Thats the distance from the backnof the case to the axle/output shaft.

The difference was what rear tire they used. A big or small tire.

Your probably gonna need the whole wiring harness and all the magic boxes. They sell them too. Fairly cheap.

 

[marcusp]

Yamaha yj1 engine. 50cc from the 60s.

Since it identifies as a submarine I'd ditch it.

If you can weld and fab stuff you could make an industrial engine fit. Drive train would need to me fabbed also.

Or just buy a new gy6 and bolt in in.

Thats a common knee-thru scooter type engine.

They make electric and kick start models.

They make a long and a short case. Thats the distance from the backnof the case to the axle/output shaft.

The difference was what rear tire they used. A big or small tire.

Your probably gonna need the whole wiring harness and all the magic boxes. They sell them too. Fairly cheap.

Thank you for that identification! 50cc seems much closer to size than the 150cc gy6 I've looked at online. I have experience tinkering with industrial engines so running one of those is my preference and I'm not opposed to learning how to fabricate the engine plate and other necessary items to make this work. I have one or two people who I know would be willing to show me the ropes... I'm slowly working on getting my redneck 101 certification haha. The gy6 engines seem expensive, are they worth it to operate? I can't imagine they would make enough power to move this heavy kart and my rear end even remotely quick since they're scooter engines.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Ive seen 250cc gy6s. They make cams and big bore kits for them.
Nice to have an FNR box and the cvt is built in.
But you can build a derp 212 for half the cost. Just gotta add in the 30 series CVT and sprockets and such.

 

[Hellion]

Since it identifies as a submarine I'd ditch it.

Deserves a crack-open and reconnoiter at least to determine the condition. I have resurrected submarine motors before..... but they were not GY6 engines.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Deserves a crack-open and reconnoiter at least to determine the condition. I have resurrected submarine motors before..... but they were not GY6 engines.

True. But what didn't you replace?
Major rust on cylinder walls, crank journals, gear box, bearings,seals, valves,...
It all depends on how bad.
Gets expensive quick.

 

[marcusp]

Ive seen 250cc gy6s. They make cams and big bore kits for them.
Nice to have an FNR box and the cvt is built in.
But you can build a derp 212 for half the cost. Just gotta add in the 30 series CVT and sprockets and such.

Yeah I have seen those, BDX has them for about $1800. I have an ungoverned 196 on a very small and very light kart that goes about 30 mph and has a fun launch, however I am not sure that it would do well on this frame which is probably 3 times heavier. I'm considering going the route of an electric start 420 (id have to cut the whole back rack off to pull start an engine) get a 40 series TC and maybe forget the FNR box.. or risk a couple hundred dollar amazon one

 

[panchothedog]

That kart with a 420 and a 40 TC would really haul the mail. Also pretty expensive, as well as a lot of fabrication. Easier fitting and considerably less expensive would be a predator 224 and a 30 series TC. They are only advertised as about 1/4 more hp. but put out 25% more torque. I have both and believe me you can feel the difference of the 224 in the seat of your pants.

 

[marcusp]

That kart with a 420 and a 40 TC would really haul the mail. Also pretty expensive, as well as a lot of fabrication. Easier fitting and considerably less expensive would be a predator 224 and a 30 series TC. They are only advertised as about 1/4 more hp. but put out 25% more torque. I have both and believe me you can feel the difference of the 224 in the seat of your pants.

I have a greyhound 196 with a 30 series TC on another kart, that vehicle is very barebone and light weight and with me on it makes somewhere around 30 mph with good torque. However, I don't think it'd be able to propel this kart very well. Does the 224 make that much difference? I definitely want this to be an adult kart when im finished, no putting around the yard.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Look at trying to find a motorcycle engine then.
I put a 200cc 4 speed on my dingo and its borderline scary. Granted I did some hot rod tricks to it.
Lots of those china quads and bikes in the sale ads.
Budget friendly.

 

[panchothedog]

A bike engine with a 4 or 5 speed transmission would be considerably faster. A positive clutch and gears make all the difference in the world. A 224 would be about 25 to 30 % stronger than your 196, but unless you modify it the top end speed would not be much different. Even a little bit of modification (governor delete, header pipe, bigger carb jet, 18 lb valve springs, and free flowing air filter)
stuff you can do for about 50 to 60 bucks would get you above 40 mph. The weight is not as big of a factor as you are imagining. I have 4 karts. All big 2 seaters weighing as much or more than yours. They all run very strong with modified 196, 212, and 224 engines. As long as the engine is governed, it is not going to reach a high enough rpm to get it much past the low 30's.

 

[Denny]

The titanic looks to be in better shape than that engine! I like the 40 and 420 route myself.

 

[marcusp]

The titanic looks to be in better shape than that engine! I like the 40 and 420 route myself.

Do you think a stock 420 would be plenty for this or do you think I'd end up doing some modification?

 

[Hellion]

Road boss.

The only Road Boss karts I know of are these, a rather unremarkable rigid frame type.

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Tell us more about the OP’s kart, Edwin. I was thinking China kart with the brush guard removed, but if it’s a Kartco….

Edited to add: Marcusp, what other labels are on the kart besides “BOSS”?