Comet 40 CVT Torque Converter - Orientation Question

[TheCoolDude]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the forum - check out my intro post on the welcome page. Here's a link to the photos of my build: http://imgur.com/a/Jpn2d

My kart currently has a standard centrifugal clutch, but I plan to switch it to a CVT Torque Converter to get a better top-end speed.

As suggested, I did search the forum, and came up with some pages related to Torque Converter placement, but nothing exactly like my issue:
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8585&highlight=reverse+torque+converter
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14087&highlight=reverse+torque+converter
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25300&highlight=reverse+torque+converter
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21185&highlight=reverse+torque+converter

My issue is that I'd like to reverse the driven pulley so the spring section faces to the outside of the frame. I'd like to avoid Comet's suggested setup if I can, since it will require shifting the engine to the left. I purchased the yellow reversing spring for the driven pulley here. http://www.gokartsupply.com/4044seri.htm

However, even with that, now both spring-loaded parts move on the same side, but in the opposite direction (shown with arrows on photo 2). It seems like this would throw the belt off alignment at higher ratios, but I could be wrong.

I've attached some other photos. Photos 1 and 4 show what is recommended by Comet (requiring the engine to shift left on my setup). Photos 3 and 5 show the both the driven pulley and driver clutch reversed. This begs the question - should the driver clutch be reversed as well if the driven pulley is reversed?

I appreciate any insight anyone may have, let me know if I can clarify anything!

 

[itsid]

series 40.. means it needs to be set up like in your first picture (the bag being your engine)

if you NEED to set it up like in the second picture, you will have to buy a reverse wound spring (yellow IIRC)

you cannot mount the driver clutch with the nut facing the engine, so third picture is impossible

'sid

 

[MancoGX390]

You can't really see it but as Sid said, you need to have your pulley facing towards the engine, my pulley goes in front of the engine but same concept really

 

[Denny]

If you float your secondary clutch you might be able to get away with it but it will be awful hard on the keyways and not really recommended.

Denny

 

[KartFab]

Best orientation is how Sid said. The moveable sheave of the driver and driven will Both go In the same direction that way.

If you want yellow spring orientation, go for it. (Some karts I have seen work just fine that way). 30 series torque converters work this way as well. Just make sure your cam lines up on the correct side of the wear tabs for the yellow spring.

I am not aware if any problems with the way the kart functions with the yellow spring.

 

[TheCoolDude]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will try to make it work with the first setup (pulley spring side facing the engine), since that seems to be the best. That's good to know the driver clutch nut cannot face the engine. Moving the engine shouldn't be too bad, I'll just make another plate to pick up the two other bolts and drill two new holes in the first plate. Plus that will even make the engine a little more centered.

 

[landuse]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will try to make it work with the first setup (pulley spring side facing the engine), since that seems to be the best. That's good to know the driver clutch nut cannot face the engine. Moving the engine shouldn't be too bad, I'll just make another plate to pick up the two other bolts and drill two new holes in the first plate. Plus that will even make the engine a little more centered.

Just make sure you get the correct belt for the distance you decide to use between the driven and driver

 

[TheCoolDude]

Definitely - the belt I got was about 1/4" over-sized, since the alternative would have been 1/4" undersized, and I read it was better to use the slightly bigger one so the clutch wouldn't grab at idle.

 

[firemanjim]

If you float your secondary clutch you might be able to get away with it but it will be awful hard on the keyways and not really recommended.

Denny

You can't "float" that clutch. These two need to be in line.... Moving about side to side does you no good for belt wear....

 

[itsid]

You can't "float" that clutch. These two need to be in line.... Moving about side to side does you no good for belt wear....

While I fully agree that you shouldn't float the driven unit,
comet only advises you that you mustn't float the driver,
so, reading the subtext of that advise it should stillwork with a floating driven...
But I agree on the additional belt wear concern

'sid