Exploding predator flywheels

[Flyinhillbilly]

No pictures or hard evidence, but I believe what these guys say just like I do about the guys on here.
http://karting.4cycle.com/showthread.php?82924-Flywheel-explode

 

[B_Bimmer]

When I clicked on this thread, I was fully expecting you to have bought one just to watch it burn. Complete with a blast shield, video and pictures.

 

[Flyinhillbilly]

Not yet, lol. When I get my dyno done I'm wanting to put a new predator through the paces to see what happens with it. I'm currently fooling around with the clone that I just built for my go kart.

 

[Randy H]

I have to say this. If someone has seen a flywheel explode, why in the heck wouldn't they take a picture or two. Seriously if I blew up a flywheel I'd be screaming to the world with photographic evidence DANGER DANGER. Without pictures it didn't happen, right?

I've seen one picture of a Kohler flywheel that blew apart.

I bet a nickel I can take a billet flywheel put some antisieze on it, tighten it down with my impact of choice and blow it up. And what does that prove?

This isn't directed at anyone just sayin.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Kinda the way I feel too. I also suspect many of the people who scream fire have a vested interest in selling aftermarket parts... BUT, I know nothing. I just have my suspicions. Hey though, if anyone can blow up a predator flywheel, or any flywheel, Flyinhillbilly can.

 

[Kartorbust]

I like how the one guy on there claimed that several blew up within a 4 year period. I'd rather have proof of it happening. But what constitutes an exploding flywheel? Magneto magnets flying off? Or the whole thing just flying apart from poor construction? At this point, it only is making money for the aftermarket without evidence.

Kind of like how Coca-Cola said for years to drink 8 glasses of water a day without any factual proof or evidence, it was just to make them money by selling bottled water, and that myth is still going strong to this day.

 

[Poboy kartman]

I like how the one guy on there claimed that several blew up within a 4 year period. I'd rather have proof of it happening. But what constitutes an exploding flywheel? Magneto magnets flying off? Or the whole thing just flying apart from poor construction? At this point, it only is making money for the aftermarket without evidence.

Kind of like how Coca-Cola said for years to drink 8 glasses of water a day without any factual proof or evidence, it was just to make them money by selling bottled water, and that myth is still going strong to this day.

Ohhh...nooo.nooo.no!! This is true! They can have pull tabs and aluminum cans....but they must say "beer" somewhere.

(Actually, I'm a sucker for birch beer and root beer, so those count too!!!

 

[Flyinhillbilly]

I've seen no proof either, but I've been buying a lot of parts off of the guys on that site and so far they've all been really stand up guys, so I don't doubt that it happened.

 

[pearl111]

I just bought my third predator 212 hemi this weekend, and ordered my third upgrade kit (muffler, air intake kit, jets, e-tube) and I remove the governor. After a couple more small parts I have around $200 in it. If I change fwheel and add more parts I would only have one upgraded motor because of $$$ spent.
I hope this isn't true with all those fwheels exploding. I think if it were true racing rules would demand upgraded flywheels or there would be a lot of injured racers right.

 

[Flyinhillbilly]

From what I can gather it seems to be rare, but something that does happen. I wouldn't sweat it. My neighbors son keeps his predator at valve float all the time and it runs like a swiss watch.

 

[Kartorbust]

That's just asking for a valve to hit the piston. Doubt these are non interference engines.

 

[Flyinhillbilly]

It hasn't been a problem yet, and I've personally seen him hold it at valve float for 1/4 mile +.

 

[outcrydrummer]

I think about it like this:
Under 5k your pretty safe. Stock predator classes dont allow billet flywheels but a stock predator isnt gonna turn over 5k rpm with governor in tact anyways (which is required for that class)

Modified predator classes (5k + rpm) classes require billet rod amd flywheel for a reason. I wouldnt run mine past 6k rpm without a billet flywheel or rod just to be safe.

 

[bob58o]

My stock Hemi Predator 212 Flywheel spins over 7k. Not for very long periods of time.
Probably never for much more than 30 seconds beore I run out of real estate.

All I can say is that is has held thus far. I'm aware that it may go. [fingers crossed]
Once it warms up, I want to find some country road where I can try wide open for a few miles.

My next 212 will hopefully spin 8k and will have a billet flywheel.

 

[pearl111]

I just saw the Kart Art video On how to get around 5000 rpm with out removing the gov. If I do this can I, or should I upgrade the jets and etube . and other parts ( air filter, muffler) that came with the upgrade kit I ordered? I ordered the upgrade kit with plans that I would remove the gov. Has anyone done 5000rpm thing without removing the governor? I just wonder if those plastic gears left inside the block will hold up without coming apart?

 

[chancer]

I just saw the Kart Art video On how to get around 5000 rpm with out removing the gov. If I do this can I, or should I upgrade the jets and etube . and other parts ( air filter, muffler) that came with the upgrade kit I ordered? I ordered the upgrade kit with plans that I would remove the gov. Has anyone done 5000rpm thing without removing the governor? I just wonder if those plastic gears left inside the block will hold up without coming apart?

Here is a large discussion on this topic.
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=35234

 

[bob58o]

There is a thread about this right now.

It seems as though in kart racing it is very common to leave the governor in, but adjust it to allow 5000 RPM.

I think it will hold up, but have a $20 wager that says it fails (to keep things interesting). I think 25 hrs of run time at 4800 RPM is the test IIRC.

If you upgrade the exhaust and air filter, THEN you need to adjust the jetting.


Why not just remove the governor gear?

---------- Post added at 03:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:56 PM ----------

Here is a large discussion on this topic.
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=35234

You beat me to it!!

 

[pearl111]

After reading the large discussion on this topic in past post and what I 've read hear I think I should remove those plastic gears. Thanks for all the info. One thing I just thought of ? why do they make the governor out of plastic parts although it does make it easer take out.

 

[Kartorbust]

After reading the large discussion on this topic in past post and what I 've read hear I think I should remove those plastic gears. Thanks for all the info. One thing I just thought of ? why do they make the governor out of plastic parts although it does make it easer take out.

Cheap to make than metal gears.

 

[Hellion]

Someone should rig up a powered gear system to destroy a predator flywheel at all costs. Rig up a pulley system that will spin the flywheel well over what a 212cc can rev and wait for it to go critical--and then note the RPM.

No sense risking a good engine.

Something like this: