Chain/Sprocket/Clutch Allignment

makisupa96

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Hi all,
I'm in need of some guidance again. Currently working on rebuilding a Manco Interceptor with a Predator 212.

I attempted to mount the engine yesterday which went fine.

When I added the clutch (from GoPowerSports 12T GPS Centrifugal Clutch 3/4" Bore, #35), I noticed that the gear doesn't line up with my sprocket.

I tried inboard and outboard with the clutch. No luck. (See photos attached).

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Do I have the wrong clutch? Was the axle previously modified?

Thank you!
brian
 

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Edwin Spangler

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That came with a Subaru engine, correct? The shaft just doesnt line up the same way. Youre going to have to slot the mount to allow some horizontal movement.

-Unless the shaft is long enough to add spacers, which it doesnt look to be.

I wonder if a CVT/backplate setup would have the sprockets line up...

EDIT: Nevermind, AI says the CVT would not have them align.
 

makisupa96

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It did have a Robin Subaru engine on it. I noticed that original had another gear/chain.

Seemed like the crankshaft drove the 'extra' component, and THAT then drove the axle with a separate chain.

I can add a picture of the old motor set up later today.

Thanks!
brian
 

makisupa96

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These aren't pics from my exact kart, but it my original set up was identical. (minus the pink paint :ROFLMAO:)
 

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JimD

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Let's start with the basics: how many teeth on the axle sprocket and how big in diameter is the wheel? Want from the ground to the top of the tire. Trying to figure out if it will work even if you get it aligned with the clutch and present gearing.
 

Hellion

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As Edwin says, the kart came with a jackshaft (I forgot) so it was configured to work with one, with all the chain spacing and offset that a jackshaft “provides”. In your intro thread I posted the parts manuals, very helpful to see the way it was.

 

JimD

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Manco was the only large volume kart builder still using #35 chain on the karts. Most of the competition went to #420 chain 10 tooth sprockets. Manco stayed with 12 tooth #35 chain to cut down on the number of parts they carried in inventory. Bill Hatlen the former owner of Manco used the KISS philosophy. He felt when someone called up and wanted a clutch you didn't have to ask the question which chain is it because on the clutch karts it was all #35 chain. 12/72 ratio
 

makisupa96

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Thanks for all the help! I was able to get the jackshaft off the old engine and it seems like it will line up perfectly!

As soon as I get another chain, I should be in good shape! Fingers crossed!

Anyone see glaring issues here?
 

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Hellion

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Fine work, Makisupa. The jackshaft provides, I think, the low end grunt that a normal two sprocket setup can’t provide, so it’s more fun and you get a better takeoff when you gas it instead of a more gradual takeoff with clutch slippage(?)
Somebody explain this to me. 🙃

Hey JimD, his clutch says “Gopowersports”. Is that a China clutch or one of yours?
 

JimD

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The easy way for me to tell looking at a clutch from the front is the snap ring holding the drum on the sleeve. The snap ring we use doesn't have the small ears it is completely round so it cannot snag clothing. Also when you look in the six holes you will see the holes in the drum line up with the six holes that cover the garter spring, From the back of the clutch the hub is press fitted into the harden drive plate and ours is a very distinctive look. The Max-Torque name is on the drive plate but one of the China copies also put the name on their copy.

Most of the china copies have set screw holes in the hub. We quit putting set screw holes in the hub because no one read the 'donut" on the clutch that says "DON'T USE THE SET SCREWS IF THE CRANKSHAFT IS DRILL AND TAPPED" . You want to always hold a clutch on with the bolt and washer. The clutch is shorter than the crankshaft for a reason, it is meant to float to self align with the rear sprocket which NEVER runs true. So don't put washer on the crank to prevent the float, you want it. Rear sprockets always have quite a bit of wobble to them and you want the clutch to be able to move on the crankshaft to self align as needed.

The is more critical in racing than back yard fun karts but it applies to both. Racers float the clutch as well as the rear brake disk because they know if they get hit on the rear axle on the left or right side the axle can move so to keep the chain on, the clutch floats and the bake disk floats so you don't have the brake drag against the pucks.
 

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