Diy go kart or buggy with a engine driven welder motor

[Mike Steel Man]

Ok so let me start worh a quick background story. I'm new here and new to working on small engines used on pocket bikes, quads, and all that. I had some as a kid but never worked on. I bought a few that need work for my kids and I've rebuilt one and working on the other. I know about how engines work and the like, but I'm no mechanic and am not too knowledgeable about this stuff. Also, I've had my own welding business for 5 years and I'm experienced in automotive work for hot rods such as panels, floors, custom control arms, roll cage fabrication, turbo, and exhaust piping. I've also done custom work on buggies, but what I'm saying Is I don't know 100% what I'm doing. So, I did work for a guy that dropped a Honda 1000 motor on a dune buggy and I hear people use harbor frienght predator engines and Honda generator engines for all this kind of stuff I'm talking about. So I plan on building a buggy or go kart for the kids (and me since I'm just a big kid. Anyways I have a hobart champion 145 engine driven welder/generator. It has a 305cc Briggs and Stratton engine. I bought this back when it was $1700 new in the store it is now about $2500. I paid someone to redo the winding and a bunch of stuff I don't really know about as I said I don't know about small engines like that, but ai trust this guy. He's repaired welders for me before and ive sent him to repair other welder for friends with no problems, but he is not a shop just an acquaintance I send work because I like to help people I know who are trying to make it just like I am. So he did the necessary repairs and sent it to someone else to rewind blah blah blah I've returned it to him 3 times and every time he said it worked and it didn't. So I took it to a certified shop and had them print every problem out and quote the repairs which came out to about what I paid for it new and they suggested it not worth it and for me I barely use it since it's small it was my first engine driven but it is a decent backup. So I showed my guy what the repair said and he said yeah yeah I'll fix it for free but has been ignoring me. It turns on and works as a power source but not to weld which does me no good. So I've come to the point where I was wondering if there is a way to use this engine on a quad, buggy, or go kart. And like I stated earlier I am an experienced Fabricator in stick, mig, and tig. I know a few people who are more knowledgeable than me but I live very far from them. Someone help me build a bad *** buggy and I'll post my progress. Or just give me some pointers

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Does it have a tapered output shaft?

 

[Denny]

Welder/generators do not make good engines.

 

[panchothedog]

Size ( diameter ) and shape (tapered or straight ) are the two important things to check for using it in a kart. Also, that engine will be very difficult to find hop up parts for should you want more performance at some time in the future. I hate to be pushing Chinese manufactured stuff, but the Predator line of engines sold by harbor freight ( from 212cc up to the 420cc ) offer a good value for the money, and are easy to find hop up parts for.
Also, welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place for not only advice, but to find like minded people who share an interest in your projects.

 

[Rusty Wheel]

If your crankshaft is the 1"x 3.484" it might have potential for you with a 1" torque converter set-up. As other members have pointed out probrably not a screamer but i would think this robust enough conscidering what it's being removed from with a suitable re-purpose.

 

[Master Hack]

Look like this?
says its a 1 inch keyed shaft.

Shaft Diameter	1
Start Type	Recoil
Shaft Keyway	1/4
PTO Height	4 11/64

 

[Mike Steel Man]

It's a hobart champion 145 a little bigger than what master hack has shown

 

[Mike Steel Man]

Does it have a tapered output shaft?

I do not know

 

[bullseye670]

All the generator motors I've seen had a tapered shaft. Take that thing apart and find out.
My personnal suggestion is to find a honda 13 HP powerwasher that doesn't work. You can find them for about $125-$150 if you look hard. My last one was $125. Pump was shot. Motor runs great. Even one that doesn't run is worth it if you plan to replace things like the cam, carb, exhaust. I've gone through a lot of Honda engines. Most are in extremely good condition inside. I've had a few bad ones, but I knew that might have been the case when I bought them dirt cheap.
The one in the picture was $100. It came off of an air compressor. Ran great when I bought it. It's pushing my favorite kart 55 mph. It looks nothing like that photo now. Second pic is the finished motor. If that's too much for your kids, find a Honda GX200.
One last thing. If you look for a Honda, it must be a GX series. Not the other crap. I believe GC. Totally different animal.