Engine that came on this, thoughts?

[rmelo99]

Hey all. The new kart I picked up for my kids came with a Tecumseh hssk50 . It looks like may have been from a snow thrower since it’s a snow king model.

It looks like the carb/air intake /throttle needs some work to pretty it up.

It also looks like it’s got no air cleaner /filter.

The pulll cord is showing wear but otherwise it seems to work. It didn’t come with a clutch or chain so I’ve ordered one.

It was harder to find a 1” bore so I’m thinking that’s not as common on karts.

Would you keep this engine or plan to swap out for a HF motor I see people throwing on their karts? They appear to be about $99 on sale.

Also is this shaft too long?

 

[Brianator]

You're probably best to go for the motor swap. That way you have a good known motor with a warranty that is easily and cheaply upgraded with common parts plus your clutch dilemma is solved! It's probably cheaper in the long run too

 

[anickode]

Definitely a snowblower engine. The second smaller output shaft is an extension of the camshaft. It spins half speed and backwards, and is used to drive the wheels via a friction disc setup on many smaller snowblowers. Cheaper than using an actual gearbox.

Snowblower engines tend not to have air filters of any kind on them. The carb is still the same, but you'd have to buy a filter setup for it, and tecumseh carbs are notoriously finnicky to begin with.

For $100, I'd go for a rotaderp. Cheap, ready to run out of the box, plenty reliable, and tons of mods available when you're ready.

 

[rmelo99]

You had me searching for that engine ya know!

I'll see how I make out with the current one. I'll hold of on dropping any $ on parts for the current motor. At the moment it appears to start and run strong.

If it becomes unreliable then I'll consider the swap.

 

[anickode]

You had me searching for that engine ya know!

I'll see how I make out with the current one. I'll hold of on dropping any $ on parts for the current motor. At the moment it appears to start and run strong.

If it becomes unreliable then I'll consider the swap.

Hahahahaha I'm sorry. Old habits die hard.

 

[Karttekk]

As long as it isn't smoking or knocking see how it goes. Tecumseh was around for a long time, LCT is the Chinese brand now. They are temperamental engines but they hold up. You can always pick up a Taiwan engine if need be.

https://lctusa.com/

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

How did no one notice that the SHAFT IS TAPERED??!!

No clutch I know of on the market will fit that. I'd tuck that engine away for parts or maybe a future crankshaft swap, the tapered shaft renders it mostly useless for karting.

 

[mckutzy]

Its not tapered, its a step down shaft... Common on snowblowers...
But essentially not in a usable state...

 

[Karts of Kaos]

the shadow is confusing I thought it was tapered until I looked more closely.

 

[rmelo99]

Thanks it isn’t tapered. My concern while I’m waiting for the clutch I ordered is the length and the key notch.

The shaft goes over the wheel. I’m assuming I can slide the clutch back further on the shaft to get it to line up with the rear wheel sprocket, but back 2-3” of that shaft is smooth. The notch is only on the front part. Thoughts?


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[mckutzy]

What size is the shaft that has no keyway????
I'm going to guess... 7/8"???

 

[rmelo99]

The shaft is 1” diameter. It has a keyway but doesn’t run the full length of the shaft.


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[Brianator]

My vote is still on a motor swap which, is against my nature to be honest. I see more struggles ahead if you keep down this path

 

[rmelo99]

My vote is still on a motor swap which, is against my nature to be honest. I see more struggles ahead if you keep down this path

I ordered a 3/4” to 1” sleeve so I can at least reuse the 1” clutch I just bought. Looks like most of the replacement motors would likely be a 3/4” shaft.

Wish me luck this weekend.


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[Brianator]

Best of luck!

 

[mckutzy]

What size is the clutch key???
1"shaft will be different from the 3/4"shaft..
1"is typically 1/4", 3/4" is typically 3/16" keyways..
Point being.. there might be some interference with the bigger key in the clutch not be able to fit in the motor shaft...

 

[Smerft85]

The sleeves usually come with a stepped key, fits into the 3/4 shaft and stands up proper for a 1" shaft.

 

[mckutzy]

OP-does the key come out on the new clutch you have???

 

[rmelo99]

OP-does the key come out on the new clutch you have???

No it does not. Guess I didn’t think of that.


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[rmelo99]

Frustrating. Biggest part that ****es me off is the kid that sold it to me said all it needed was a clutch and chain. Based on this shaft length and position there is no way someone had a clutch installed on this setup.

Knowing I have to install the seats on the frame and now get a motor setup added what would you all say a good price for this kart is? Help me know if I still picked it up for a good price$

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