Identifying a Go Kart

[panchothedog]

I like the swing arm you posted. Should be square and ridged. The engine plate that is on it looks like it is for a small block. 196 to 224cc. It might also be a little on the thin side to withstand the weight of the 420. I purchased a big block mounting plate to put on my Manco Intruder kart. It is 1/4" thick steel and rolled at the edges for additional rigidity. It needed every bit. Once you get moving and bouncing around a bit, A standard 1/8" plate ( I believe that is the thickness ) is going to flex a bunch. The 420 weighs more than double of a small block.

 

[marcusp]

I like almost everything you're doing, especially the seat as it looked like a seat from a bass boat, but then again the frame has some kooky seat risers. I would not lengthen the kart unless there was no other choice. You're supposed to be cramped and the wheelbase is supposed to be relatively short for maximum maneuverability. Carry on.




That's odd. For me, it auto saves my drafts automatically, every time a little green dot appears over the 3.5" floppy disc icon in the upper right. What platform do you use to access the site?

Sadly, I most likely have to lengthen the kart because my legs don't fit at all, I can save a little bit maybe by building a case around the front steering arms and moving the pedals up, but we will see. I definitely intend on keeping the wheelbase as short as possible since it's already a boat of a kart. Idk why it did that, I blame mobile Google.

 

[marcusp]

I like the swing arm you posted. Should be square and ridged. The engine plate that is on it looks like it is for a small block. 196 to 224cc. It might also be a little on the thin side to withstand the weight of the 420. I purchased a big block mounting plate to put on my Manco Intruder kart. It is 1/4" thick steel and rolled at the edges for additional rigidity. It needed every bit. Once you get moving and bouncing around a bit, A standard 1/8" plate ( I believe that is the thickness ) is going to flex a bunch. The 420 weighs more than double of a small block.

I'm not going to purchase that swing arm because it has no dimensions listed on the site, and, money. We are using it kind of as a guideline of what I need. Definitely going to use thick steel and plenty of support. I appreciate the details of what you did!

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Alot of taller guys add a front porch so to say. Leave axle where its at and just add a little platform for your feet and pedals.

 

[Hellion]

Sadly, I most likely have to lengthen the kart because my legs don't fit at all

How big of a boy are you? If you're a typical north American .... nothing better than a kart to incentivize your fitness and or flexibility . I'm about 75" and I fit most standard karts. But do what you want, the kart has already met Mister Saw.

I love this pic and yes, it's supposed to be cramped...


Edited to Add: Actually, after looking at the initial photos, I would move the pedals forward well into that sort of boxed-in area that supports the steering wheel. There's a dual tube assembly there that could hold the pedals if you reversed them to form a 'T' with the pedals. I'd add in a piece of sheet steel for a foot/heel rest. Lots of wasted space in that area it appears.

 

[marcusp]

Not a big fella, I just like my leg room lol. That kart was made for kids so it needs something for sure. I will most likely end up moving the pedals forward as suggested, ill just have to cut out some of that steering wheel support and move it because its in the way, I know its hard to tell from pics but even my buddy whos about 6' and a stick of a kid said its in his way. Ill also have to bring the steering wheel to me some because its wayy too close to the front. I'll figure 'er out, definitely dont intend on making the wheelbase too long. That picture is awesome hellion

 

[marcusp]

Small update. I have purchased a TC and new axle kit and am waiting on the predator 420 to go on sale at HF. Patience is not one of my virtues. I had a donor 420 from a buddy for a bit but it blew a hole through the block due to a previously replaced (not by me) rod screw backing out at high rpm... back to square 1 on the engine side of things. HF has their 459 on sale which is tempting but I think I'll err on the side of being able to upgrade the 420 if I decide I want more. I'm sure I will at least remove the governor. I also haven't worked on reconfiguring and welding the swing arm to be ready for an engine as I am reliant on having a friend help me through the process. Hopefully if good health and time is in our favor I can work out some time with him soon.
For gits and shiggles, here is a picture of the hole in the old 420 engine block

Edit: I also forgot to mention that I have decided against lengthening the cart. It's long enough as is and I can just lower the seat and fix nearly all of my issues. The only thing I'll have to do there is likely redo my pedals which I would probably end up doing either way and maybe elongate the steering arm

 

[Hellion]

For gits and shiggles, here is a picture of the hole in the old 420 engine block

Heck yeah! Thats what I like to see, engine carnage. You’ve opened up a can o’ worms, now we gotta see the con rod and the grenaded parts. Welcome back.


Good deal on the leg room and seat situation, you’re s’posed to sit low.

 

[panchothedog]

That's a pretty darn big hole. Guess that's why they make torque wrenches. Keep your eyes peeled for the 420 to go on sale. FWIW. I've been building these predator engines for 6 years. 212, 224, & 301. All hopped up quite a bit. I just finished my first 420. It is built also. Rod, cam, valve springs, minor porting, flat top piston, flywheel, gov delete, header and carb rejet. Never even started it in the stock configuration. Just took it for a ride the other day. OMG. I couldn't believe how much punch this thing has. Neighborhood streets wouldn't allow me to really ring it out, but it got into the upper 40's or better in no time and had a whole bunch still left in it. This is in a big 2 seat kart with 10 X 60 gearing and a 40 series torque converter. I am certain it's capable of 55 + easily.
You're going to be happy with yours when you finally get there.

 

[marcusp]

Heck yeah! Thats what I like to see, engine carnage. You’ve opened up a can o’ worms, now we gotta see the con rod and the grenaded parts. Welcome back.


Good deal on the leg room and seat situation, you’re s’posed to sit low.

Pictures for ya! Could've definitely been worse as only a single piece of shrapnel hit my face and the cuts healed quickly. Funnily enough its the second time the rod screw has backed out in this engine. My buddy got it from his coworker because of some funny noise, he took it apart and found the rod to be loose so he ordered a new rod, replaced it, and apparently forgot his torque wrench.

That's a pretty darn big hole. Guess that's why they make torque wrenches. Keep your eyes peeled for the 420 to go on sale. FWIW. I've been building these predator engines for 6 years. 212, 224, & 301. All hopped up quite a bit. I just finished my first 420. It is built also. Rod, cam, valve springs, minor porting, flat top piston, flywheel, gov delete, header and carb rejet. Never even started it in the stock configuration. Just took it for a ride the other day. OMG. I couldn't believe how much punch this thing has. Neighborhood streets wouldn't allow me to really ring it out, but it got into the upper 40's or better in no time and had a whole bunch still left in it. This is in a big 2 seat kart with 10 X 60 gearing and a 40 series torque converter. I am certain it's capable of 55 + easily.
You're going to be happy with yours when you finally get there.

I am greatly anticipating that sale... tell me more about your new 420! Do you have a thread dedicated to how you built it? I want to remove the governor when I get mine but also don't want to compromise anything. Im attempting to not spend a crazy amount here which is why i currently have no plans to do a major rebuild.. but..... Im afraid i can be swayed. I already have the 40s TC in hand and will also have a 10:60 gear ratio. I wish you had ran yours stock so that I could have a benchmark lol!

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Awesome.
Looks like its time for a billet rod and a big cam!

But i will say the stock cam has the best lobe separation for low end grunt.

Mill the head for some compression and advance the timing and send it. Again.

 

[Hellion]

Pictures for ya! Could've definitely been worse as only a single piece of shrapnel hit my face and the cuts healed quickly. Funnily enough its the second time the rod screw has backed out in this engine. My buddy got it from his coworker because of some funny noise, he took it apart and found the rod to be loose so he ordered a new rod, replaced it, and apparently forgot his torque wrench.

Glad you are okay. As “tis but a scratch” manly men we’ll shrug it off and wear the scar like a badge but did the planets align at that moment so that engine pieces hit you in the face? Yikes. I do wear eye pro at the very least when I ride to prevent my eyes watering from the wind, and for bugs.

What are we seeing to the left in pic #1? Is that a balance shaft or something?

Doesn’t the bottom end of the con rod have steel keeper tabs? Tabs that are bent against the con rod bolts to stop them from loosening?

 

[marcusp]

What are we seeing to the left in pic #1? Is that a balance shaft or something?

Doesn’t the bottom end of the con rod have steel keeper tabs? Tabs that are bent against the con rod bolts to stop them from loosening?

To state the obvious, It looks like a gear to me. Not sure exactly what it does lol! Im slowly learning as I go. I know that the larger gear that's been snapped in half is the timing gear and the other pieces are to the rod but I'm not aware of what the intact gear to the left does tbh