Clutches keep burning up!!!!

[sharkguy05]

So I just got my son a go kart. I bought it from a guy and it ran great and worked fine but after 3 or 4 uses the clutch burned up. So I tried 2 more clutches and the same thing happened in fact they burned up quicker. I'm thinking the tires are too big or this is not the right setup. It s 6.5hp 212cc engine, 12tooth #35 clutch and 70 tooth sprocket. If anyone could give me some advice wether I need smaller tires or if I need a tourque converter or whatever else that would be great.

 

[HighTechRedneck]

Those tires look huge! But I don't really know if that would do anything, Have you tried a Hillard Extreme Duty clutch? That shouldn't burn up. You sprocket looks a little bigger than most yard karts, I usually see 60t Sprokets... Hope this helped any.

EDIT: I just wanted to say, nice kart!

 

[machinist@large]

What size are the rear wheels? Just grab a tape measure; measure from the ground to the top. That way we're working with a real number......

 

[firemanjim]

Cause that's a big @$$ set of tires in the back. The kart SHOULD have a torque converter, but since you have the cc, you are going to have to drop to a 80 tooth sprocket. 7:1 isn't enough, IMHO......
If you do yourself a favor and buy a torque converter, even the cheaper chinese copy, you will have a lot more performance out of it.

 

[itsid]

and your currently running higher than 6:1 (5.83:1) and that is not enough for tyres that size...
(look like 22"s)

'sid

 

[firemanjim]

he did say 12 tooth clutch huh....
With 22's, I think more like 8.5:1 or 9:1.......

 

[itsid]

I think I read size 20 on the tyre..
assuming incl the driver it's ~440lbs

7:1 with a Torque converter (series 30 6" driven)
a clutch just isn't feasible. IMHO

'sid

 

[sharkguy05]

tires

the tires say 20 on them its in the pictures. The sprocket is 70 tooth and the clutch is 12 tooth. #35 chain. I thought the tires were big, so is it better to go with a torque converter, smaller tires or a larger sprocket? I have seen the heavy duty clutches but I didn't want to risk burning up another. I'm pretty handy as far as working on cars and dirt bike just not sure whats involved with a torque converter. I also want to keep my cost down as it is just a toy for my son.

 

[RiverSideRun]

The knock off tc is only 110$ on ebay right now.
Their meant to bolt on and there is little to no fab required

 

[sharkguy05]

anyone know of a good place to ee how the torque converter works and install instructions?

 

[RiverSideRun]

http://www.gokartsupply.com/asymapp.htm

 

[landuse]

You have a couple of options. You can get smaller tyres (like 15" or smaller), and leave the drive train as it is. IMO I think your ratio would still burn up clutches

You could also get a TC and a 80T rear sprocket. This should get you to a 6.6:1 ratio. You will probably be OK with this, but a lower ratio would be a lot better. If you can source a larger than 80T sprocket, I would rather get that. Your tyres are large enough to not let the sprocket drag in the ground. If you got smaller tyres at the same time, that would be great

 

[anderkart]

anyone know of a good place to ee how the torque converter works

Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjhY33f40ds

 

[buckwheat]

I would contact Hilliard Clutches & give them your specs. With your info they should be able to recommend a clutch for your application.

 

[OzFab]

They should but, whether anyone will take the time to is another question...