40 series issue

[Cousineddy]

Hi, new member here from Arizona. I have a Speedway Spoiler sport buggy that I picked up a few weeks ago.It was missing the original engine and jack shaft setup so I picked up a 420 predator and a series 40 clutch for it. It runs great, has more power than I ever expected or even hoped for, BUT when I pull or use the electric start, the clutch engages. Once started, it will idle just fine, but just pulling the starter will engage the clutch. Any thoughts? I figure that I should change the spring in the primary side? I’m a little surprised that it wouldn’t just work right out of the box, but I understand that not everything is completely universal.any help or ideas are appreciated!

 

[bthompson224]

Starter is probably spinning it at a high RPM if it works fine after the starter disengages.

 

[Hellion]

What in the world is a Speedway Spoiler?

I think BThompson is spot-on. Assuming the original machine had a recoil starter, the electric starter is now spinning the engine faster than was ever intended with the original setup and it is momentarily engaging the clutch. FUN TIMES.

There's all kinds of variables in play now.
Make sure your parking brake is engaged or whatever other kind of measures you have to stop the kart from rolling away from you before you're ready. Got a brick? Block of wood?

A lot of the most bare bone karts have parking brakes you know.

 

[Cousineddy]

I guess what I’m trying to say is that the clutch completely engages and the 420 is pretty torquey, if the brake is on, there’s no chance of it starting, if it’s pointed in the right direction, hit the key and hang on, kinda fun, but kinda lame too. I’m sure that this isn’t normal, but I’m sure that others have had the same problem. The engine and clutch are brand new. The kart looks very much like a Rupp Ruppster by the way, I believe it was made in 1972.

 

[bthompson224]

Are you using a pull starter and an electric start? Does it do it with both? Once started, does it immediately disengage at idle?

 

[Cousineddy]

Yep, I’ve tried both starters, I’ve been jacking up the backing the kart,starting it, then setting it back on the ground after start up.I just got it running a couple of days ago and am in the process of getting it dialed in.

 

[420Racer]

Send a pic of your jackshaft setup.

 

[Cousineddy]

No jackshaft, just a cvt clutch with sprocket.

 

[420Racer]

Need to see the rear pulley too. Is that a gopowersports torque converter plate?

 

[bthompson224]

How much throttle after starting does it take? Might actually be springs would help. Or does the engine rev high at start up?

 

[Cousineddy]

Yes on the gopowersports setup, it doesn’t take any throttle at all to start it, I ordered a higher rpm spring kit from go powersports, to raise the engagement point. I’m just a bit surprised that it would need another $50 thrown at it just to make it work correctly.I figured that this stuff would all bolt together and work.

 

[Cousineddy]

Here’s another pic

 

[bthompson224]

I don't think most people have this issue.

 

[Karttekk]

I would contact gopowersports and ask them what they think is going on. Why are you "pulling the starter" when it's at idle or are you saying just using the rope will engage the clutch but not when using the starter? Sounds like pulling the rope spins the crank faster than the starter. Something with the springs allowing the clutch to engage too soon. Try a weaker spring so it takes more RPM's to engage the clutch. Thinking the strong spring is slamming the clutch together as soon as it starts spinning. Dunno.

 

[Cousineddy]

I don't think most people have this issue.

That figures, par for the course! I’ll Figure it out. Either way this kart is a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to getting it finished.built a new front axle last night(old one had seen better days),hopefully get started on body work this weekend.

 

[Snaker]

Engine rpm during start either electric or recoil should be less than idle rpm. I'm thinking you may have a fire up rpm surge that is causing your problem. Try keeping your kill on (no spark) and do the start attempts both electric and recoil. Watch to see if the driver engages then.

 

[420Racer]

It shouldn't be the springs. I think your belt is either too short or maybe you didn't bolt the plate up to the motor correctly( I don't know if that's possible I've never had one of these plates ). For a torque converter to work right it needs two things. 1-the right spacing between crankshaft and driven pulley jackshaft for the belt you have with it. 2-driver and driven pulleys need to be aligned right (it looks to be in the picture ). The belt looks a little tight for the machine not running

 

[Joe-405]

Can you push it around on the ground easily ?

I’m assuming your choking it when you start it ? Idle is higher upon initial startup ?

Belt is on wrong ?

Driver was put back together wrong ?

Governor is set wrong causing high idle upon start up ?

 

[BigWes]

I agree with 420Racer and Joe-405 that starter isn't the issue. You have a belt/alignment issue or something going on with your driver pulley. You may even need to pull it apart and make sure it is properly fully disengaging(maybe clean and lube it). It sounds to me like the belt is too tight on start up or the pulley has pulled in or out of align. sometimes as it heats up it will slip a little more or tend to stretch. Your starter ain't gonna out spin that things idle speed. Um, you do have the bronze bushing in there right? it isn't binding is it? I had one get dirty from a new belt and it started gumming up...cheap belt shedding rubber.

Keep looking man, you will get it.

Wes

 

[420Racer]

Right Wes. That's about the only other thing that could be happening here. Take a good look at this pic. You can see when the driver is fully disengaged the sheath will be recessed into the housing