Belt issues

[branandlee]

I have a Manco Fox Vortex gokart. I just bought it off the kid and he handed me a spacer for the torque converter and said he forgot to put it on. (I should have walked away then.)

Needless to say, I have tried several different spacing combinations and am still having issues. The belt on the torque converter does not grab at all. I also think that they are not lined up straight enough which is probably causing more of my issues.

I have attached a few pics and will gladly get more if it will result in help. Feel free to point out any other issues you see as I'm still a newb getting started.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tinamcjittles]

It's definitely out of line, it doesn't grab when you give it throttle? It isn't supposed to grab when the engine is off.. That being said it looks loose on the bottom of the first picture, and is there any way you can fix the alignment?? Like removing/adding washers?

 

[Bbqjoe]

It might be better to remove the belt for judging.
But I'd say you're a washer or two short behind the driven.

But in pic two, something looks wonky.

 

[Panhead5496]

Can you get some pics of the part of the torque converter on the crankshaft?

I would just take it all apart and reinstall it, so you know it's done correctly.

This video helps a lot. Just follow how he does it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK7EW9vcqSw

 

[branandlee]

Thanks. I'll probably be giving this a try on Saturday now!

I'll keep you posted on the progress.

 

[Bbqjoe]

I keep looking at the second pic. Something appears off.
Is that crack in the engine mount affecting the torque converter any?

 

[frostyflammable]

I keep looking at the second pic. Something appears off.
Is that crack in the engine mount affecting the torque converter any?

If I remember correctly that is just a plastic cover.

--Dan

 

[Bbqjoe]

If I remember correctly that is just a plastic cover.

--Dan

Ok. It's just hard to tell what's going on.

 

[itsid]

First:
you must replace the spring in your driven unit..
that blue one is too short and not weak for a series 30 TC!
you need a red one

(if that's the one I think it is... anyway it needs to be replaced since that's causing the driven sheaves to be spread apart)

Be sure to preload it properly whwen you do or the correct spring won't work either

once that's done you should add another spacer to the driver to have the belt run as straight as humanly possible;
and as long as the driver still has it's weights working.. the TC itself will work flawlessly

'sid

PS while you're at it taking it all apart to replace the spring, do a full maintenance too;
the TC it'll reward you with smoother shifts and longer life

 

[branandlee]

So I got some garage time this weekend. Took it all off and started new. There are not any of the original washers or spacers that should have come with the TC apparently. Or at least none matching the above video.
I also figured out that the bronze sleeve is missing from the driver and the spring in the driven is the wrong one. So I ordered both of those and am waiting on that. I did fire it up and try running it up the road. It was better but still. It right. It seems like the belt is too loose. And possibly the chain is still hitting a washer or spacer.

 

[Joe-405]

The spring you have on there now is not reverse driven so the driven will not properly catch the belt so you got to wait until that spring shows up

 

[Bbqjoe]

Also make sure you have a spacer directly behind the driven, otherwise the chain will hit/catch on the rivets.
Rivet rivet!

 

[branandlee]

Also which of the holes should I be putting the spring in once it arrives? 1, 2, or 3?

 

[Bbqjoe]

Also which of the holes should I be putting the spring in once it arrives? 1, 2, or 3?

Which one do you want to put it in?

I think most folks go for door number two.
But I think there's an entire thread on door picking somewhere around here.

 

[KartFab]

2 is the best 'feeling', and 1 and 3 arent that great. I tried em all.

With one way, you get like just the same torque at start (just like any other setting), and it immediately goes to high gear, which your engine struggles to ramp up its rpms (kinda like starting a stick shift in first gear, then dropping to 4th.... feels MEH....

With the other way, you get the same torque at start (just like any other setting), the exact same as #2 hole, but yoru engine revs really high and you dont really keep accellerating 'faster' its like starting in 1st gear, then shifting up to 2nd, then revving really high.

With all three, the same torque is at start, and the final high speed is the same. its just the #1 and #3 feel 'meh'

take it from goldilocks, just get the one that is just right? #2

 

[Kentucky Boy]

In your pick the driven looks to be halfway engaged already and I'm assuming the engine is not running in the pic. The driven should be closed onto the belt with the belt high in the groove. I'd say it's very dirty and sticking or the spring is shot. Also if that is an original Comet brand the back plate of the driven is slightly different than the Chinese version of the TQ. This could be a problem if the parts are interchanged with the generic TQ's making your spacing incorrect. Look up a parts diagram and make sure you have the correct parts. Also make sure the motor is mounted correctly as it is probably independent of your jack shaft which could also mess up your alignment.

---------- Post added at 01:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------

Also looks like you may have an extra spacer behind the driven.

 

[branandlee]

Thanks for all the help. Got the new spring in and had to fight with the clip but it finally came off. Got it put back together and drove it around the neighborhood tonight.
Now to work on normal maintenance for it and keep it running smooth!