First go kart project

[gsegovia]

This is my first go kart, farther and son project. I bought the frame used from a local go kart shop. I will be posting pictures soon. Still looking into buying an engine i found a guy that has a greyhound 11hp for sale locally probably pick it up this weekend. He said it's still in the box never been used. How can i check this engine is in working conditions. I know is suppose to be new in a box. But they stopped sales on this engine a while back. Thanks

 

[gsegovia]

HERE ARE SOME PICTUREShttp://db.tt/t41XKAnl
http://db.tt/i0skSi5O ,
http://db.tt/ZqaHwhXV

 

[OzFab]

Hmm, it's gonna be tough if it's still in the box; that usually means no oil or fuel. If you can talk him into dropping some in & start it, you're all good.

 

[gsegovia]

I was thinking the same, is there still parts available for this engine

 

[gsegovia]

started coating

so we started to coat the frame with bedliner, my boy was desperate to work on the frame. will probably finish the coating today. here is a pic of how its looking.

 

[gsegovia]

engine

this is the engine am planning on putting on. if the guy still has it this weekend and if am able to come up with the money, if not then i probably go with the predator 212 from harbor freight. cant be the price for 99$ with the coupon. after i get the engine ill order the torque converter since its a different one for each one of this engines, anyone one know a good place to get the torque converter for a good price.

 

[landuse]

It’s looking good. You might find however that the coating is going to get a bit ruined before you eventually put everything together again. You are definitely going to do some touch up work.

Generally it is better to get everything sorted out before finally stripping and painting. It saves all the scratches and nicks that will come from installing all the parts.

With that being said, it is hard to say no to your kid when they are excited to get something done.

 

[gsegovia]

It’s looking good. You might find however that the coating is going to get a bit ruined before you eventually put everything together again. You are definitely going to do some touch up work.

Generally it is better to get everything sorted out before finally stripping and painting. It saves all the scratches and nicks that will come from installing all the parts.

With that being said, it is hard to say no to your kid when they are excited to get something done.

Yeah you have a point, am gonna finish up the first coat today, and maybe ill have the engine by things weekend. That will put his mind on something different other then painting. I'll have plenty of paint left for the second coat and touch ups.

 

[gsegovia]

seat

here goes the seat am using for the go kart, am picking it up tomorrow. am still trying to sale some performance parts from my car to buy more parts for the go kart.lol....

 

[gsegovia]

11hp or 6.5hp

So I can't decide if I should buy the 11hp greyhound fro 175 meaning that I would need a more expensive torque converter. Or stick to the predator 6.5 from harbor freight. Will the 6.5 be more then enough for the go cart. Plus I do plan on upgrading the engine a bit at a time. Plus the 11hp is about 20 lbs more.thanks

 

[OzFab]

IIWM, I'd still go for the 11hp. I would call what you have a mini buggy & I'm not sure 6.5hp will be enough; it all comes down to power to weight ratio. Calculate the total weight (in pounds) & divide by horsepower; if you get a number above 40, you're not doing too well. For reference, a Ford Fiesta is 29 lb/hp

 

[gsegovia]

IIWM, I'd still go for the 11hp. I would call what you have a mini buggy & I'm not sure 6.5hp will be enough; it all comes down to power to weight ratio

Even if went with a torque converter, I just bought the predator, one of the things that made get the 6.5 is that I was able to get a fair amount of info on aftermarket parts.

 

[gsegovia]

Even if went with a torque converter, I just bought the predator, one of the things that made get the 6.5 is that I was able to get a fair amount of info on aftermarket parts.[/QUOTE

Plus am afraid to buy the other one, to find out that it don't work.

 

[supermanotorious]

anyone one know a good place to get the torque converter for a good price.

www.bulletlines.com, I get my wakeskate winch TAVs from them and they're the best for the price

specifically

http://www.bulletlines.com/go-kart-torque-converter-p/52.htm

 

[gsegovia]

I read something the other day saying that in order to put the 30 series on the predator you have to use a washer on the crank.

 

[mysteryboy28]

yes, you'll probably need spacers/washers/bushing. i believe they can be purchased at tractor supply stores. a little tricky to find, but perfect alignment of your torque converter belt is essential to a long lasting belt! being slightly off alignment can cause premature belt wear and improper "shifting" of the torque converter.

the 212cc is going to be a bit underpowered for that big kart. i've used the 212cc, the 340cc, the 390cc, and the 420cc. $175 for the 340cc is a good deal, especially if it had electric start (you can move the keyswitch to the front of the kart). if the guy was advertising it as unused, and it didn't have oil in it - that's a GOOD thing, and pretty much guarantees that it will work unless it was defective from the factory (highly unlikely). but the comet 40 type clutches are rediculously expensive.

i will no longer buy honda/clone/briggs/tecumseh motors simply for the fact that you can get a 440cc or bigger snowmobile with a 40+ hp motor, big beefy torque converter, and electric start for $200-$500 ($500 with reverse and electric start) if you look around and are willing to take a nice little road trip. soooo much power, and soooo much fun!

 

[gsegovia]

yes, you'll probably need spacers/washers/bushing. i believe they can be purchased at tractor supply stores. a little tricky to find, but perfect alignment of your torque converter belt is essential to a long lasting belt! being slightly off alignment can cause premature belt wear and improper "shifting" of the torque converter.

the 212cc is going to be a bit underpowered for that big kart. i've used the 212cc, the 340cc, the 390cc, and the 420cc. $175 for the 340cc is a good deal, especially if it had electric start (you can move the keyswitch to the front of the kart). if the guy was advertising it as unused, and it didn't have oil in it - that's a GOOD thing, and pretty much guarantees that it will work unless it was defective from the factory (highly unlikely). but the comet 40 type clutches are rediculously expensive.

i will no longer buy honda/clone/briggs/tecumseh motors simply for the fact that you can get a 440cc or bigger snowmobile with a 40+ hp motor, big beefy torque converter, and electric start for $200-$500 ($500 with reverse and electric start) if you look around and are willing to take a nice little road trip. soooo much power, and soooo much fun!

.
Thanks, I found a site that sales the TC with the spacer. As for the engine ill see if he still has it next weekend. When I get paid. Couldn't I bring up the horse power on the predator.

 

[OzFab]

Couldn't I bring up the horse power on the predator.

Not to 10hp which is around what you need. You might get it to 8hp but, by the time you spend the time & money, you could've bought a new 11hp

 

[gsegovia]

Not to 10hp which is around what you need. You might get it to 8hp but, by the time you spend the time & money, you could've bought a new 11hp

I emailed the guy that has the 11hp, if he still had it and Gonna get. And if not am just Gonna go get the 13hp predator. Is there still aftermarket parts for those engines?thanks

 

[mysteryboy28]

I emailed the guy that has the 11hp, if he still had it and Gonna get. And if not am just Gonna go get the 13hp predator. Is there still aftermarket parts for those engines?thanks

yes, they're just honda clones. easy to find parts for. the 420cc Predator is a great kart motor for the price. whatever you do DON'T get the Duromax 420cc motor, it is NOT go-kart friendly without modifying it!

still, if youre gonna drop $600 on a motor and clutch - consider getting a snowmobile instead! soooo much power, and really quite easy to rip the motor mount out and weld it to the kart (if there's room on the kart). my 56hp 480cc demo buggy is running on a 1" keyed axle, with no problems yet! just be sure to use #50 sprockets and chain.