First kart project.

[Gopedude]

With all due respect, a what is a "Useable" engine, in your opinion.
Now I understand that your location isnt listed so this is general info,
Most of our opinion's here is that a $100 brand new engine(horizontal shaft) is a good deal.
Harbor freight(USA) or Princess auto(in Canada) is where you buy these motors, aswell as all(most) of the other parts.

Alot of people here are spending there abouts of $500 on there machines, Bought or pieced together. That seems to be the going rate. Now there is allways the exception to the rule, but generally that is how it is.
Equally speaking, it is just going to take a bit to do. It took me 3 years to finish my bike. I have a job and money, but it just takes some time. Being impatient is how your going to hurt yourself and/or others during or after the build.

Id like to hear where abouts you heard a vertical-conversion being cheap and easy.

Im live in the US just so you know.
Its not really about being impatient, but when i get my mind set on something, it is hard to not do it.
The ONLY hard part of converting a vertical shaft briggs to a horizontal one is the lubrication system. When you stand it on its side, and all the oil collects in the bottom, it doesnt lubricate anything and you will have a seized engine within minutes. The solution? Attach a small aluminum "oil slinger" on the crank, so whenever it reaches its lowest point, it dips into the oil and slings it everywhere. I have ported engines before, so im sure i can do that. The only other mods you have to do is rotate the carb and tank 90 degrees which isnt hard, because the carb connects to an intake tube. No manifold. The last thing you have to do is reroute the crankcase ventilation tube with a small hose that wraps around the gastank and connects to the carb. Now, that in my opinion beats spending a $100 on a engine. Plus you get experience. Sorry not trying to be rude here.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

It sounds like you've done your homework on the engine conversion. Good!

Regarding my hardwood comment- no, I do NOT mean flooring. I mean hardwood. Lumber that is Maple, Beech, Oak, Ash, Aspen, etc. 2x4's that you buy at the building store are softewwod, like Spruce, Pine, and Fir.

 

[mckutzy]

Oh by all means Im not offended at all. I take it worth a grain or salt.

Equally speaking, I like to eat bread. I could go and make some loves in the kitchen(for extra bread making experience), but I to go to the store instead(because it is the easiest way to get bread). Now Im also of a generation of people where the bread we buy is sliced already, (therefore I would have to slice it myself). As Im greatly inexperienced at such a task, I most likely will cut my hand off, or at least a few fingers in the process. Hopefully the miss's isnt around, as she might slip and fall on the blood and fingers on the floor.

Now this obviously this is sarcasm. But there is an underlying note of advice, although it may seem easy and all, but when people say it isnt worth it, it most likely isnt.

 

[Gopedude]

Oh by all means Im not offended at all. I take it worth a grain or salt.

Equally speaking, I like to eat bread. I could go and make some loves in the kitchen(for extra bread making experience), but I to go to the store instead(because it is the easiest way to get bread). Now Im also of a generation of people where the bread we buy is sliced already, (therefore I would have to slice it myself). As Im greatly inexperienced at such a task, I most likely will cut my hand off, or at least a few fingers in the process. Hopefully the miss's isnt around, as she might slip and fall on the blood and fingers on the floor.

Now this obviously this is sarcasm. But there is an underlying note of advice, although it may seem easy and all, but when people say it isnt worth it, it most likely isnt.

Have you tried a conversion like this? Dont say it wont turn out good if you just rely on what other people say and havent tried it yourself...

 

[Gopedude]

It sounds like you've done your homework on the engine conversion. Good!

Regarding my hardwood comment- no, I do NOT mean flooring. I mean hardwood. Lumber that is Maple, Beech, Oak, Ash, Aspen, etc. 2x4's that you buy at the building store are softewwod, like Spruce, Pine, and Fir.

Yeah hopefully i will be able to pull it off. The only thing is, im a bit confused on where to put the oil stick. Should i keep it where it is?

As far as wood goes, i found the 2x4s next to a dumpster. I dont know what kind of wood it is, but it is in good condition and not rotten at all

 

[Doc Sprocket]

You'll have to plug the dipstick port.

Mystery wood? It's likely softwood.

As for this-

Have you tried a conversion like this? Dont say it wont turn out good if you just rely on what other people say and havent tried it yourself...

I don't need to eat poison to know it's not a good idea...

The whole point, was to suggest that sometime's it's not worth the effort- especially if you're not well-versed in things...

 

[Gopedude]

You'll have to plug the dipstick port.

Mystery wood? It's likely softwood.

As for this- I don't need to eat poison to know it's not a good idea...

The whole point, was to suggest that sometime's it's not worth the effort- especially if you're not well-versed in things...

Alright. So ill have to open the cases to replace the oil?
The conversion is easy if your mechanically inclined and what do you mean by "well-versed"
LOL it is mystery wood!!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Changing oil may involve turning the engine/kart on it's side. Whatever it takes...

"well-versed"? It means that on anything (not specifically the engine conversion) you're particularly familiar with, you've a better chance of accomplishing the task without mucking it up. For example- with my engine experience, there's a dammed good chance I'd pull it off successfully, the first time. Take a 13-year-old kid with no tools or engine experience, and odds are good he will create a boat anchor.

 

[Gopedude]

Changing oil may invlove turning the engine/kart on it's side. Whatever it takes...

"well-versed"? It means that on anything (not specifically the engine conversion) you're particularly familiar with, you've a better chance of accomplishing the task without mucking it up. For example- with my engine experience, there's a dammed good chance I'd pull it off successfully, the first time. Take a 13-year-old kid with no tools or engine experience, and odds are good he will create a boat anchor.

I hope your not referring to me..

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Did I say, "you"?

For example...Take a 13-year-old kid with no tools or engine experience, and odds are good he will create a boat anchor.

Stick around awhile. You will find that I do not mess with words. I mean exactly what I say, and I say exactly what I mean. If I mean "you", I will say"you". Had I meant to say "YOU are gonna screw it up", believe you me, I would have said it.

 

[Gopedude]

Did I say, "you"?


Stick around awhile. You will find that I do not mess with words. I mean exactly what I say, and I say exactly what I mean. If I mean "you", I will say"you". Had I meant to say "YOU are gonna screw it up", believe you me, I would have said it.

Ok. I couldnt tell if you were saying that i was not going to be able to do the conversion. If i do this conversion correctly, would it benefit others to make a thread about how i did it?
Just curious.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Of course! Any and all how-to information is a bonus for both current, and future members!

 

[Gopedude]

Of course! Any and all how-to information is a bonus for both current, and future members!

Ok. Just wanted to make sure i wasnt making a thread that has been made too often.

 

[jandj]

I admire your enthusiasm but I encourage you to listen to what people are trying to tell you politely: Even if your engine conversion is sucessful and you brace the hell out of your frame given the budget you have set for yourself odds are it WILL eventually break or come apart. Not "might" or "maybe". If you are lucky you won't get hurt too bad. It doesn't matter that you only plan to use it for low speed use. People have ended up dead going slow as well as fast.

 

[Gopedude]

I admire your enthusiasm but I encourage you to listen to what people are trying to tell you politely: Even if your engine conversion is sucessful and you brace the hell out of your frame given the budget you have set for yourself odds are it WILL eventually break or come apart. Not "might" or "maybe". If you are lucky you won't get hurt too bad. It doesn't matter that you only plan to use it for low speed use. People have ended up dead going slow as well as fast.

Like i said, i understand a wooden frame is potententially dangerous and WILL eventually break. I dont know how else to put it: im building a wooden gokart. I think its worth the risk. Will i be going fast in it? No. Will i be drifting? No. The chances of it just snapping while cruising along at slow speeds and me getting seriously injured is possible, but not likely. After this build is succesful, i am going to get a real frame (ill have sufficeint funds by then) and transfer the already converted engine over.
I estimate this kart will only be ridden for around two months. I have another smaller, 25cc clutched weed eater engine i might put on it when i transfer the briggs to the metal frame, so friends can ride with me.

With that said, i still have a question:
Can i get all the components( spindle, pitman arm, bracket) at a hardware store?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Highly unlikely, if local stores are any sort of indicator.

 

[Gopedude]

Highly unlikely, if local stores are any sort of indicator.

Ok. The steering components seem a bit pricey....

 

[Doc Sprocket]

... Hence comments regarding a budget that me be a bit on the low side...

 

[landuse]

I think we should now lay off the whole wood debate, and start giving the guy some real help. He now knows the risks he will be taking, and it is on his head.

I do however think that you might have a problem with the engine mount pulling out of the wood due to engine torque. Are you going to have a metal or wooden mount?

 

[Gopedude]

I think we should now lay off the whole wood debate, and start giving the guy some real help. He now knows the risks he will be taking, and it is on his head.

I do however think that you might have a problem with the engine mount pulling out of the wood due to engine torque. Are you going to have a metal or wooden mount?

Thats a good idea. I plan on making the motor mount out of yes ~ wood. I dont know where to get the metal for the motor mount. Where do you usually get metal tubing/poles?