Engine wont fit

[mwillika]

I've just recently purchased a rolling chassis for 300 bucks, and I went to set the engine in there just to see what it would look like, turns out it doesnt quite fit. On one side the side fender gets in the way. On the other side the shaft of the engine hits the seat. Is it possible to get a shorter shaft? I havent been able to find any online. I plan on bending out the side fender as much as I can to give it some extra room but idk what else I should do. Do I need a different motor?

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d168/lizrdrulr14/photo2-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d168/lizrdrulr14/photo1-2.jpg

 

[go-kart-buyer]

you may have to place the engine behind the axle with a sheet of steel. you can cut it and then weld it were you want it (behind the axle) then drill four holes in the sheet and mount the engine onto the sheet using 4 nuts, 4 bolts, and 4 rubber washers

 

[go-kart-buyer]

or you can weld and square of steel tubing on the side of the right fender and then bolt it onto the engine directly to the steel tubing or do the sheet metal method

 

[souperman000]

People have mentioned in the past that predators have longer shafts than most of the engines they are replacing. I would probably advise against moving the motor from the proper mounts, try the seat first or something. Last effort would be to chop the shaft a little shorter but as I said, that should be last resort.

Just to be clear, when you say the fender gets in the way you mean it hits the shroud and pull starter housing right? Not the shaft with the engine turned the other way?

 

[mwillika]

People have mentioned in the past that predators have longer shafts than most of the engines they are replacing. I would probably advise against moving the motor from the proper mounts, try the seat first or something. Last effort would be to chop the shaft a little shorter but as I said, that should be last resort.

Just to be clear, when you say the fender gets in the way you mean it hits the shroud and pull starter housing right? Not the shaft with the engine turned the other way?

I'm gunna try to move the seat over a little when I get home and see if that doesn't work. I might have to do a combination of moving the seat over and cutting it but hopefully cutting it wont be necessary.

And yes the fender hits the pull starter housing

 

[philip metzner]

Something is wrong with your motor mount. The engine should be offset much farther to the outside. I cant see what you have mount wise, so a picture of your mounting system would help. Phil

 

[mwillika]

I'd move it farther to the outside of the kart but as I said, the pull starter housing hits the fender before I can move it far enough. Here's some pics of the "mount." Keep in mind that this is my first kart and I have no clue what it should look like.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d168/lizrdrulr14/photo1-3.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d168/lizrdrulr14/photo2-2.jpg

And the bottom of the motor:
[url]http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d168/lizrdrulr14/photo3-1.jpg[/url]

PS- Could someone link me to the thread that tells me how to post pics in a thumbnail form? These big pics are annoying even to myself haha

 

[philip metzner]

Ok, first thing is that is a race kart, not a fun kart. There a mount that fits on the frame rails and has two butterfly clamps from the under side. It slides on the frame rails for adjustment. The part of the mount that the engine bolts to is offset to the outside. The fender you mention must be the side pod of the bodywork. The side pod would be trimmed to clear the starter. The kart probably didnt have a recoil on it before. They probably used a electric starter that had a shaft that stuck through a hole in the side pod.
Dont drill holes in that frame!!! It is chromemoly tubing,and even if it doesnt crack it will ruin the resale.

 

[mwillika]

Yea I bought it to race with, theres two raceways not too far from me that I want to race on. Where exactly can I get the butterfly clamps? Is it something I can get from a hardware store? Thanks for the tip about not drilling through the frame, because I was totally thinking about it haha. Should I see about getting an electric starter or does it really matter as long as I can get it to fit?

Edit: Are those two bolts attached to the frame for the butterfly mounts you speak of? If not what are they for?

 

[mwillika]

I looked around a bit and I figure this ones the one I need. Can ya'll confirm?

http://www.bmikarts.com/Flat-Motor-Mount_p_1135.html

 

[philip metzner]

There are lots of styles of the mounts but that looks like what you need. It looks like you can move the top plate for more or less offset and just change bolt holes. Looks good to me.

 

[landuse]

Posting pics

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=735

 

[mwillika]

Thank ya'll for your help, I'm gunna order the mount tonight.

Does anyone know what the two bolts attached to the frame are for? Do they screw into the motor mount?

 

[OzFab]

Adjusters. The end of the bolt rests against the mount plate; when you turn it in, it moves the engine mount forward, tightening the chain; turn it out & it loosens the chain.

Not sure about the one under the axle, possible for a different type of mount...

 

[mwillika]

Ah right, that makes sense