Manco 390U urgent rebuild

[Catste]

Ho all, I bought my son a secret gift that I wanna shine opp and get it fixed so I was hoping for som expert helt from you all.
I have bought a Manco 390U with trailer hitch. Engine is beloved to be original tecum 10-13hp electric start.
The previous owner disassembled the carburetor on it and lost it and bought not original and lost all oft the spring setup on it also.
Engine starts but won’t run well so I was thinking maybe to get thing fixed quick is to buy new engine and pulleys and all the other stuff I need. Frame will be dryice blasted and primed and epoxy painted in his favorite color Cortez silver with black details.

any her who can help me with recommend parts and stuff to it so that I can get this ripping till his birthday?

 

[Hellion]

When is his birthday? If it is tomorrow (or in a week), a lack of planning on your part does not make it my emergency...

What is your level of mechanical ability? Are you a total novice?

If it were me, I'd just get the engine running and clean up the kart really well, wash it and maybe even wax/polish the original paint. Save the "custom paint" for a later time and then you can take your time and make it a father and son project.

 

[Hellion]

Looks like the carburetor may be all there but the pull start needs to be serviced so the rope isn't hanging out like that. Having an operating pull-start is important I think as it teaches you and your son to master manual starting.

Nice to see good old American go karts in Norway!

 

[Catste]

When is his birthday? If it is tomorrow (or in a week), a lack of planning on your part does not make it my emergency...

What is your level of mechanical ability? Are you a total novice?

If it were me, I'd just get the engine running and clean up the kart really well, wash it and maybe even wax/polish the original paint. Save the "custom paint" for a later time and then you can take your time and make it a father and son project.

4 months to his birthday, good mechanics skills only parts issues because have to order to Europe. He has a custom picture of his dream crosskart avling side his dream car 69 Camaro.

 

[Catste]

Looks like the carburetor may be all there but the pull start needs to be serviced so the rope isn't hanging out like that. Having an operating pull-start is important I think as it teaches you and your son to master manual starting.

Nice to see good old American go karts in Norway!

Spring is fixed but carburetor is not good. Low compression also so considering new engine but unsure what to choose that is durable and of course enough power for him to have fun with. And yes not many in Norway so hope to find more of them later because I have 6 kids

 

[Denny]

The driven clutch is on backwards also. On a 40 series it should face inboard.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Sorry Denny, look at the ramps. Its orientated correctly.

I agree with Hellion on this. Get it running and give it a good wash. A return spring somewhere in that throttle set up wouldn't hurt.

Don't out have a way to test compression? Can you rent tools from the local auto parts store?

A replacement engine will need a 1" output shaft. A big block so to say in industrial engines.
Im not familiar with what you can get but a predator 301 or larger will bolt right up to the frame and CVT.

 

[Catste]

Sorry Denny, look at the ramps. Its orientated correctly.

I agree with Hellion on this. Get it running and give it a good wash. A return spring somewhere in that throttle set up wouldn't hurt.

Don't out have a way to test compression? Can you rent tools from the local auto parts store?

A replacement engine will need a 1" output shaft. A big block so to say in industrial engines.
Im not familiar with what you can get but a predator 301 or larger will bolt right up to the frame and CVT.

Have tested compression on it and it’s low, afraid sylinder rings are bad. That’s the main reason I was thinking to replace it and rebuild the old engine later.

Replacemanet engine we have the brand Loncin available or I order one from US if have have to. But I se there is 2 different axel size in mm one straight 25mm and other 25.4mm. What should I choose? And what engine would you recommend?

 

[Hellion]

I am wondering, since the kart was likely intended to be sold in Europe where the metric system is established, is anything on the kart including the engine, metric?

1 inch equals 25.4mm. You must get a caliper and measure what you have, both the engine crankshaft diameter and the torque converter to be sure the parts match. It is undesirable to have to replace major and costly parts if you inadvertently mix metric with Imperial SAE measurements.

EDITED to add: I would go for a replacement engine in the same displacement or same general horsepower rating (8 HP) as that kart is rather large. Anything you can find should be suitable; Loncin is a good brand but there are many many Chinese made clone engines and surely some are readily available to you in a local shop(?) to keep the prices reasonable. On that note, AliExpress is a good source for engines.....

It needs a replacement engine in the same general size because that kart is generally termed an "adult kart" and the trailer hitch is proof. It was added to make it more practical and useful around farms and ranches.

Low compression also so considering new engine but unsure what to choose that is durable and of course enough power for him to have fun with

Since it is a flathead engine, it might need the valve clearances adjusted to restore compression.

 

[Catste]

I am wondering, since the kart was likely intended to be sold in Europe where the metric system is established, is anything on the kart including the engine, metric?

1 inch equals 25.4mm. You must get a caliper and measure what you have, both the engine crankshaft diameter and the torque converter to be sure the parts match. It is undesirable to have to replace major and costly parts if you inadvertently mix metric with Imperial SAE measurements.

EDITED to add: I would go for a replacement engine in the same displacement or same general horsepower rating (8 HP) as that kart is rather large. Anything you can find should be suitable; Loncin is a good brand but there are many many Chinese made clone engines and surely some are readily available to you in a local shop(?) to keep the prices reasonable. On that note, AliExpress is a good source for engines.....

It needs a replacement engine in the same general size because that kart is generally termed an "adult kart" and the trailer hitch is proof. It was added to make it more practical and useful around farms and ranches.



Since it is a flathead engine, it might need the valve clearances adjusted to restore compression.

Starting disassembly tomorrow so will find out then much appreciated all advice and tips one can get

 

[Hellion]

Here is a Tecumseh L-head service manual. I will probably upload it later to the site in a separate thread so it will always be here on DIYGK.

http://www.smallenginesuppliers.com/html/engine-specs/tecumseh/Tecumseh_L-Head_Engines_Service_Information.pdf

Tell us what the numbers on the blower/recoil starter shroud are so you (or we) can determine which engine it is.