Chainsaw Engine Kart

[Formula_V_Rulz]

Hey Guys,

Im Mark from New Zealand and i race Formula Vee's but i have been thinking for a while that me and my mate should build a go-kart as a New Year project(much to the anoyance of my mother (our garage is full of old cars and she's not to keen on having another 1)).
Me and my mate were talking about it and he bought up the idea of using a Chainsaw engine (dont no wat type or hp yet. Suggestions?). So i was wondering what u guys think about using 1?

Cheers,
Mark

 

[RobertD]

some people have been talking about it, though i haven´t seen one completed.

 

[matt5]

My personal experience with a chainsaw motor

I found this old 80 something cc chainsaw engine in my basement, and thought I could make a scooter around it. My engine's clutch was kind of wierd, and I didn't feel like ruining it or wasting money buying different kinds of chain. If your motor will run on # 35 or some other kinda chain great. One thing I would like to mention to you guys- I worried about the clutch engaging prematurly and the scooter going flying. It is not a low rpm engine, it is a high revving monster that I feel would do a wheelie on me, flip me off, and then keep on going. I am kind of babbling on, robertdjung probably knows more than me about engines in general- just be cautious when you are running it, because it isn't an engine that is really "stable" at max rpms- it really has a mind of its own. As a chainsaw, I think it would fit a 36 inch bar on it!

 

[TraderJack]

I found this old 80 something cc chainsaw engine in my basement, and thought I could make a scooter around it. My engine's clutch was kind of wierd, and I didn't feel like ruining it or wasting money buying different kinds of chain. If your motor will run on # 35 or some other kinda chain great. One thing I would like to mention to you guys- I worried about the clutch engaging prematurly and the scooter going flying. It is not a low rpm engine, it is a high revving monster that I feel would do a wheelie on me, flip me off, and then keep on going. I am kind of babbling on, robertdjung probably knows more than me about engines in general- just be cautious when you are running it, because it isn't an engine that is really "stable" at max rpms- it really has a mind of its own. As a chainsaw, I think it would fit a 36 inch bar on it!

I think you may be wasting your time. Chainsaw engines are high rpm machines that have a tendency to burn out. The oil pumps fail at a high rate. That having been said, have you considered the bar oil reservoir and how much oil you'd go through? I use a chain saw regularly and go through about a quart of bar oil every 30 - 45 minutes of use....if that little. If you managed to make it work you'd have a screamer that spits oil all over the place and have to stop every half hour for oil. I doubt you'd get more than 20 hours use out of the engine before it's garbage. Just my opinion FWIW.

-Jack

 

[RobertD]

that's a good point about the bar oil. However, you could just run it out of oil, and everything would be OK, wouldn't it? The bar oil is necessary because the chain rides on the bar and that lubricates it. However, that said, you'd need a sprocket welded on there somehow. i dunno.

 

[TraderJack]

that's a good point about the bar oil. However, you could just run it out of oil, and everything would be OK, wouldn't it? The bar oil is necessary because the chain rides on the bar and that lubricates it. However, that said, you'd need a sprocket welded on there somehow. i dunno.

My chainsaw has some kind of low bar oil sensor that shuts down the saw when the oil is low. I still think this project would be better suited to another engine.

-Jack

 

[Timmerflyer]

You can always make a rc car out of it. Here's a one that one guy make.
http://www.rcdatabase.com/serges-rc/ccprc.html
timmerflyer

 

[Formula_V_Rulz]

OK Cheers Guys I take all this into consideration. I have to admit that once i thought it over i came to a few of the same conclusions as u did (lyk the higher rpms) looks like me and my friend will have to do a bit more thinkin.
Thanks anyways guys i found your info very useful.

Cheers,
Mark