First post, first project!

[father87]

What's up everyone?

This is my first post and first time owning a go kart. I bought a cheapo one so I can fix it up as a project to do with my daughter. She hasn't asked for one or anything, just something I want more than she does probably lol.

The engine will crank but then stalls out. Tecumseh 0HH50. The guy I bought it from resorted to spraying gas directly into some area in order to do that though. I asked my mechanic friend about it, he said it sounds like the carburetor. I ordered the carb, gasket, and air filter from Amazon, all was $30. The go kart itself was $100. He said it had brand new rims and tires, I forgot where he bought them from, BCI or somethiing?

http://i.imgur.com/HELsRYS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jtyYzLM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/I5JF961.jpg

What do y'all think?

 

[Poboy kartman]

Welcome to the forum. The new carb will fix your engine. Your tires came from BMI.

Unfortunately, I can't come back to this thread because of the huge pictures you have loaded.

 

[father87]

Welcome to the forum. The new carb will fix your engine. Your tires came from BMI.

Unfortunately, I can't come back to this thread because of the huge pictures you have loaded.

Thank you! Great to hear. Can you link the exact ones by chance?

Really sorry about that, I used the same coding as another forum but I guess they don't automatically resize here. I'll try to edit.

Edit: seems to be fine. It self adjusts to the size of your browser, I'm not sure why you're seeing it fill size.

 

[Poboy kartman]

No...I can't...for two reasons: I can't use a computer to get online, just my phone, and I don't know how to post links on it. So...it would be pointless for me to even try. The statement that they came from BMI was a little bit of a "leap of faith" because the odds of probability point that way.

The other thing is: I can't read the sidewalls or even judge the size with any degree of accuracy. I suggest you just get the size off the sidewall and go to BMIkarts.com and look for yourself. You should find out in minutes.

 

[father87]

Ah ok, thanks for all the info

 

[father87]

Question, is it possible to put on very large tires in an attempt to make it buggy or off road like? Or am I limited by the steering system or anything?

 

[angus67]

Making the tires taller will increase final drive ratio. Too tall and all your power will go away. But if it does start going, then your top speed will be higher. Keep what you have, get it running good, then delve the nto the black hole of modifying

 

[Kartorbust]

Here's a link for tires from BMI karts. http://www.bmikarts.com/Tires_c_280.html

Since the go kart is on a fixed axle, meaning only one wheel drive, it won't do too well off road. You could however cut the fixed axle off, measure the width of the frame and order a live axle kit (includes pillow block bearings, axle, etc) the you need to get a disc brake and sprocket, but it'll do a lot better off road.

Going with taller tires like said above will change your gear ratio and make it too high. A go kart is best around 6:1, say a 10 tooth on the engine and a 60 tooth on the wheel or axle. This helps not burn out your clutch or torque converter.

I'd check out the stickies on here in the FAQ section to help out. Also if you have an Android or iPhone here's a link to a really great go kart calculator. http://app.kartcalc.net/#home

This calculator will help you through the gear ratio for the Kart and will help tell you if your current gear ratio is too high or just right for taller tires.

Sorry if you get confused, there's a bunch of people on here willing to help.

 

[father87]

Oh, so a live axle means both tires spin? I didn't even realize that mine is spinning only the tire it's connected to til you said that. I didn't really need it off road per say, just enough to ride over some rocky roads. Thanks a lot Kartorbust!!

Today I showed it to my daughter. She loved it actually. Then we pressure washed all the dirt off of it, and some paint. Apparently it used to be blue. The sheet of metal where you sit on is very rusted and breaking apart. I tried to remove it but the screws weren't cooperating. I'll try and spray it with Seafoam deep creep and try again later. Not sure if I can salvage it and bondo it up or what I'll do. Also removed the seat belt holders since they were cut off anyway.

I bought the paint for it. You guys think 2 cans will be enough? I'll first sand it as much as I can. Then hit the remaining rusty areas with Rustoleum rust reformer. Then afterwards paint, and enamel paint clear coat.

 

[chancer]

http://www.gopowersports.com/tires-wheels/wheels/[/url]

Enter code DIYGOKARTS at checkout For our members 10% discount

They have ALL the correct Wheels and Hubs and Tires for your Non Live Axle Application.
Just remember like ^he said going too tall on the tires will Change your gear ratio.
Count all you Sprocket teeth (Both) if you have a ratio of 6:1 You could use up to a 15" (max) tall Tire.

 

[father87]

(Edited my last post, in case you didn't read.)

Ok thanks I'll count and post it.

 

[chancer]

3 cans, definitely 3 cans!

 

[Poboy kartman]

OH WELL....what THE 43LL... "gonna try to resize the pics"????

Awwww...well .........................bye.

 

[Kartorbust]

2 cans should be plenty. To address the sheet metal, you might be better off in the long run pulling it off and putting new sheet metal in its place. At least that's what I'd do just because I'd rather be safe than sorry. Last thing you'd want happen is your daughter breaking through the floor board and getting injured.

Some people have the philosophy of no roll cage no seat belt. If it were to roll or flip you would not want to be carried along with it. So if you wanted too, you could make the side bars a bit taller to make it easier to grab on to.

 

[father87]

I don't have a welder though, I assume that's necessary. Looking at it, it's not too bad, it's only the edges that are bad. After I grind off all the paint and rust I can, I think I may just cut off edges with angle grinder and that'll be it. It'll just be a slimmer piece which is only by 1.5 inches or so.

 

[Kartorbust]

You can get away with a Chicago Electric flux cored welder. The weld quality is decent, but the machines are hit or miss as far as working. You can. Usually get them for under $130 from Harbor Freight. Other wise you can check Craigslist. Quality welders would be Lincoln, Miller, Hobart (hobbyist cheaper version of Miller), ESAB, Northern Industrial (Northern Tool brand but was replaced by the Klutch brand).

Long as the sheet metal looks kosher, it should be fine. Long as it's not rotted through and just surface rust, then Rustoliem or P.O.R 15 will help with it.

 

[father87]

Not sure I wan't to spend all that just yet, thank you for brand recommendations though.

It did rot through in 1 spot that I can see, I'm thinking I'll just bondo it?

 

[Kartorbust]

I think that'll work for the time being.

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum. It seems like you are in good hands

 

[father87]

Not much action today, friend wasn't able to come by to switch carburetor so I just sprayed down the connections with deep creep. Here's pics of the rust and spraying.

http://i.imgur.com/bpwi9EE.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fL3mLz7.jpg