Garage sale race kart find

[FieldstoneDriveKarts]

Found this kart at a local garage sale for $160, including the kart, the motor which runs on methanol according to the guy, Horstman 2 disc clutch, a kart stand, and the body panels. I thought it was a Coyote Wide Track LE, and some research led me to think that was accurate. Anyone here know for sure? I plan to strip it down, prep and repaint the frame, and make a few component upgrades.

 

[Kansaskart]

Great deal even if the engine doesn't run, tires look good from the pic if that's the case those alone are worth what you paid. Not to mention the clutch those are worth $100+ used if in good shape. Love the sound of the modified Briggs for sure.

 

[FieldstoneDriveKarts]

The engine runs according to the guy, but it smokes a bit. Figured I could remedy that, just need to find out where i can get some methanol to test it out.

---------- Post added at 07:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:36 AM ----------

The engine runs according to the guy, but it smokes a bit. Figured I could remedy that, just need to find out where i can get some methanol to test it out.

 

[anderkart]

Cool kart!
Are you planning on competing at a track, or just riding it around for fun?

You can test-start your Methanol engine on gasoline, it'll run super rich and wont Idle very well, but It wont hurt anything to just test-start the engine. But don't ride it around that way, unless you convert the engine back over to run on gasoline.

Most guys that race methanol kart engines usually start their engines on gasoline for a couple minutes after each day of racing is over; to help flush all of the alcohol out of the pulse pump, fuel-lines & carburetor. Then they Immediately (& thoroughly) drain all of the engines oil - while its still hot - so the moisture in the oil wont corrode the engines internal componets.

The reason for all this extra maintenance is: Methanol absorbs moisture from humidity in the air, and Methanol carbs are jetted super rich. Water in the Methanol will corrode the fuel system componets, and this super-rich mixture washes down past the piston rings and pollutes the engine oil with alcohol and water...

___________

Your karts chrome plated, steering column-support bars make it look like it might just be one of the Invader brand models.

You'll find pics and info to help Identify Invader karts, (plus serveral other brands) at this site: http://www.vdm46.com/invader-chassis-id.html

You could also email your pics to that site and ask Rod Van Deusen If he can help Identify it

____________

PS: I used to race a (methanol-fueled) Invader brand kart. Mine was a different model than yours, but you might dig checking out my old thread here at this link for lots more info: http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6364

 

[bob58o]

On this type of carb, can you just swap the jets to run on gasoline (assuming the octane is high enough for the compression)?

Would probably want to take the tape off the blower housing if switching to gas. Methanol runs much colder and people tape off the blower housing to reduce flywheel drag and increase head temperatures. Probably need to retard the timing as well if switching from methanol to gas.

 

[FieldstoneDriveKarts]

Probably just riding for fun. The chassis has stickers that say "Wide Track LE", so I assumed it was a Coyote, plus it has those round 4 bolt attachments for the spindles. I searched Coyote's website and I saw the same exact stickers, which I will be ordering when I repaint. I know one guy who's local who has a dirt track in his yard, and he offered to anyone local to come ride, so I may contact him.

---------- Post added at 02:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------

If I can get methanol around here, i'll try that. I have another race type kart, an Emmick that I use for tooling around the streets that's a gas motor.

---------- Post added at 02:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:04 PM ----------

Thanks for the link, i'll peruse it tonight.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Denatured alcohol would probably work ok just for test running the engine. I doubt the compression is higher than 7:1.

 

[anderkart]

Many automotive speed shops sell Methanol, you could also reserch if you have a VP fuel shop in your area.

Besides re-jetting the carb; correctly converting back to gasoline also involves checking to see if your race engine has an extremely high compression ratio, and also checking to see if it has extremely-advanced ignition timing, like many high performance/open-class Briggs flatheads set-up for Methanol had...

 

[2000se]

Does it have 6inch wheels on it? If yes, can you put larger wheels on it for riding in the dirt?

 

[65ShelbyClone]

It's a dirt track kart as it stands. For that reason it won't be good "offroad" though, even with taller tires. It was made to race on flat, hard surfaces.

 

[FieldstoneDriveKarts]

I believe they are 5 inch wheels.
No plans on riding it off-road. I have two off road karts already, a Carter 2 seater, and Carter 1 seater.

 

[FieldstoneDriveKarts]

The two off road karts

 

[bob58o]

You've got too many karts already. LOL
I'll give you $300 for the kart and engine as is.
How close to Chicago are you? I'll leave now.

---------- Post added at 09:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:45 PM ----------

If you can't find Methanol, hobby shops that sell RC cars also sell 20% Nitromethane / Methanol Blends. Why make the jets smaller when you can make them bigger? Why retard timing when you can advance it?

This stuff has some oil mixed in. 5% is probably on the low side, 10% might be more common.
Not sure how terrible it is to run mixed fuel in a 4 stroke. I'm sure much worse has been done.

For $20 a gallon, it is not very practical... But a Nitro-Kart sounds cool.

 

[FieldstoneDriveKarts]

Cool, thanks my buddy down the street runs RC cars and has nitro fuel, maybe I'll try it.

Yeah, 4 karts now, maybe I should stop collecting karts.......nah!

 

[FieldstoneDriveKarts]

My other street kart, an Emmick, not sure which model though. Fun, and does 50 mph down my street. 25 mph speed limit be ****ed!

 

[bob58o]

If you do try the Nitromethane, you should probably open up the carb jets a bit. Nitro needs even larger jets than straight methanol.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

And if you used glow fuel with nitro, the jets may need to be larger still. The oil content doesn't really contribute to burnables and displaces the fuel somewhat.

 

[FieldstoneDriveKarts]

Stripped down the kart to bare frame, now starting to remove paint. I'm thinking about painting it a wild color like neon green. Or purple. Need to order new nerf bars from Coyote. The frame is solid, but has some pitting in certain spots, can I use Bond to fill them for a smooth finish?

 

[FieldstoneDriveKarts]

*Bondo

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Where is the pitting and how bad is it?