8 ball

[Shiner]

After 20 years of rest, its making a come back. From about 5 until my legs were too long (12yrs old), I ran the dog out of it. Before that, my Dad would do the same. Back then it was still rural, he and a buddy would drive it out to the farm (7 miles out). Now my two oldest daughters are big enough to run it. The old Briggs on it is just about toast and getting hard to find parts. I ran across a GSX390 for 50 bucks. As you can see, it came out of a generator and I can't get the dang rotor off. I've sprayed it and whaled on it, but to no avail. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

You want the bad news? You're gonna get it off only to find the shaft is inappropriate for a kart. You'll have to source another shaft, or just another engine. Sorry. But neat kart! I'd love to know the history on that.

 

[Shiner]

Tapered?

My Dad's Dad built it; probably in the early 50's. Pretty cool because whatever he needed he made it or went down to the Massy dealer and would make it work. Everything besides the motor is orginal, including the tires. It used to have a cowl over the engine, but we're guessing it caused some heat issues. I've never seen it and my Dad can't really remember it. It has a gas pedal, but we don't remember it ever working. You can see the throttle on the driverside, on the side of the seat. I'll be looking for a cheap kit or make something to get the pedal working.

 

[DustinWolfe]

Tapered?QUOTE]

yea he means the output on the gx390 engine. the generators use a tapered shaft for whatever reason. im sure someone on here knows

 

[sideways]

yea he means the output on the gx390 engine. the generators use a tapered shaft for whatever reason. im sure someone on here knows

More reliable, easier to make ect than a key way.

If you've got a metal lathe and a large tap and die set you can make an adapter. You could turn the shaft down if it's a large enough diameter too.

To be fair though, I honestly don't think that kart would take the power from the big Honda. The axle looks a bit small, you'd just have constant wheelspin(fun!) and the brakes would be so inadequate you may as well not have any. I'd get a smaller engine. If you can, get something old to go with the theme of the kart.

What kind of Briggs is it and what's wrong with it?(Pictures please!) You'd surprised what parts you can find for these old engines if you look hard enough!

Thanks

Hayden

 

[devino246]

To be fair though, I honestly don't think that kart would take the power from the big Honda. The axle looks a bit small, you'd just have constant wheelspin(fun!) and the brakes would be so inadequate you may as well not have any. I'd get a smaller engine. If you can, get something old to go with the theme of the kart.

What kind of Briggs is it and what's wrong with it?(Pictures please!) You'd surprised what parts you can find for these old engines if you look hard enough!

Thanks

Hayden

An old Briggs flatty would be a better choice. lets see some pics of the old engine

 

[Shiner]

I'll get over there and take some pics of it. Not sure what you call old, its older than I am (33). I think it came off an old sprayer of some sort and its yellow and looks like this.

 

[sideways]

I'll get over there and take some pics of it. Not sure what you call old, its older than I am (33). I think it came off an old sprayer of some sort and its yellow and looks like this.

You should be able to get parts for that easy! What parts does it need?

Thanks

Hayden

 

[Shiner]

You got me. "They told me to drive and I did!" - Cole Trickle

Had a weak spark and couldn't get it to fire up. I picked up a coil/ignition at NAPA ($54!), put in on and got no spark. Put the old one back on and still no spark.

Dad does have the stuff Sideways. The reason we're hesitant is if I screw it up I have an engine I can't sell. Cash is low. Low = broke.

 

[sideways]

You got me. "They told me to drive and I did!" - Cole Trickle

Had a weak spark and couldn't get it to fire up. I picked up a coil/ignition at NAPA ($54!), put in on and got no spark. Put the old one back on and still no spark.

It probably needs new points and a condenser. Did you set the coil gap correctly?

Thanks

Hayden

 

[r97]

new plug? kill switch malfunction?

 

[Shiner]

I checked the gaps, new plug, and still no spark. Any one know the gap between the flywheel and the armature? The manual calls for a shim, I don't have one.

 

[Russ2251]

.010" for magneto. Thickness gauge available at any auto parts store.
Points are .020".

 

[Shiner]

Big thanks, I've got spark now. No luck on getting it to turn over. Going to work on the carb.

 

[Shiner]

Good news. The oldest (10) took it out for a few minutes before we Mom came out and agian to yell about supper being ready. Then today we ran through two tanks. Never got it to substain higher rpms though. I can see one problem being the (hand) throttle giving/bending slightly, don't think I have the linkage set up correctly. I'll get that squared away. It worked out well though, good learning speed for both of them. Then the pully broke; plastic sucks monkey nuts. I don't know how to post video so I can't show them off any.

 

[anderkart]

I just upload my videos to http://photobucket.com/ and then copy/paste the URL right along with my post back here.