Comet 44

[PaulK]

It's been a ridiculous saga trying to get this **** gokart working. I built up a Predator 212 with/for my kids, probably Stage 3 equivalent (non-hemi, Black Mamba Jr, 22 lb springs, 0.650 bored Ru*ing gas carb). Have no real mechanical experience. Got everything pretty nearly wrapped up but ran into trouble with mixture or something, just not running smoothly or hooking up without playing with the choke while driving.

Anyway, while testing at one point, one of my kids pointed this out (see pics). After taking a test drive I took off the belt and was playing with the throttle and choke in an effort to troubleshoot.

Questions:

What the **** happened?
I assume RPMs went too high?

How do I even get this thing open?
I watched a good video by KartFab but it's for a slightly different model. I can't think of an easy way to grab the spring loaded side without damaging it.

Is this thing toast?

 

[Randy H]

I haven't taken that model apart. This may help though.

 

[itsid]

looks like you're missing the compression spring entirely ..

take it apart!,
the garter spring should have a hook (well two, one on each end of course )
you can undo to remove it.

'sid

 

[KingCobra]

I'm following this one closely because I was thinking of using the larger Comet clutches in the future on projects. I thought that DRIVER was used for a 1" crank shaft. I would have suggested you stay with the comet 20/30 Torque-a-verter and maybe have no problems at all. I don't recall anyone having problems with the Comet 20. Why did you choose to use that clutch system on a 212cc 7hp engine? Do you have a jack-shaft to run to a driven pulley?? Was the driven sprocket on the opposite side of the axle? Let us know what you find!! AS for playing with the 'choke' while driving, it sounds like it's starving for gas and maybe you should have installed a .037 main jet instead of a .035 or .036 if you did install any at all. If that is a Stage 3, you must have changed the jets and air cleaner set-up. Thanks

 

[KartFab]

looks like you take it apart roughly the same way as the 40 series. Im guessing the moveable sheave can rotate freely, but what holds it in place is the fixed bell.

 

[PaulK]

KingCobra:
I'm guessing this thing puts out something closer to 15hp than 7hp at this point. I get the sense the 30s would eat up belts way too quickly with that much power.
I got the variation that was for a 3/4" crankshaft.
It's jetted with a .039" jet but it does seems to be a fuel issue. There's a big air bubble in the line but I was told that shouldn't cause a problem. Can't figure out what else to try yet.

KartFab:
I was thinking I had to turn the "moveable sheave" as you call it (if I understand correctly) but, now that you say it, that wouldn't make too much sense. I can get purchase on the bell easy enough.

Still surprised the I had the problem in the first place. I guess it just spun fast enough that the garter spring expanded beyond normal tolerances.

 

[Joe-405]

I had that on my mini dragbike 420cc engine and completely melted the insides. I made a double pin tool to unscrew it and get it apart but the fun part is trying to clamp the backside without damaging it. Mine was already toast so I just put it in a vise.

About 4500 or so rpm is it on those. I went over it one time and destroyed it.

 

[PaulK]

Jeeze.

I guess that's one of the hidden costs of a first project with little to no experience. I can't read and absorb all the spec sheets before starting or I'd never get started.

It's pretty crazy that it can't take higher RPM because some configurations won't even engage until almost 4000 RPM.

Yes, these things are designed for higher hp than the 30 series. But if it can't go beyond 5000 rpm the Predator 212 will never really see that higher hp. I guess the bigger Predator engines might.

Most people that build up their Predator 212 must run them on the track, in which case they'd make use of a clutch rather than a torque converter.

So I guess my only option at this point is to switch to a clutch.
I'll probably try to fix this thing and try it because when it's under load the engine won't spin as fast. But it sounds as though it'll probably still spin too fast for the torque converter.

Note to guys building their Predators for a mini-buggy or yard kart - reading the above thread may save you some trouble and money.

 

[Joe-405]

The 44 series is usually for a big block style engine and those are Usually built for low end torque not rpms. Which I was in direct contact with the original owner of comet and he verified it with me and gave me some tricks of the trade. It worked flawless until I put the ultra light flywheel and turned the timing up. I have a lot of info in my thread from the build off last year.