Grave Digger with Tecumseh 6hp

[Thekoontz]

Hello,

I just bought a GD Kart with the Tecumseh 6hp. I don't know if it's the engine, set up or big tires but this thing is slow!

What can I do for a replacement engine that will still have electric start, bolt right up etc...

Does anyone know what size the shaft is on these Carter karts?

Any ideas are and will be greatly appreciated!

 

[firemanjim]

,
Great score! Would love to get my hands on one.
Your engine has a 3/4" shaft, so without having to change all your drive line, you're gonna be limited to an 8-9hp engine with a 3/4" shaft. Make sure it says 3/4" shaft, because they also come with a 1" shaft.
What you could do, is buy a predator 212 6.5hp engine for a $100. Then spend a couple hours and couple $$ and bump that hp rating to 8-9hp. You can go for a full 10-12hp if you want, too.....
With the new found power, you change your drive ratio to something a little higher, to get more speed.....
For better answers, post pics and count the teeth on the axle sprocket and the drive sprocket. Also included how tall of a tire you're running.
As far as electric start engines in that hp range, you're gonna spend a lot more $$. Does your tec engine have e start?

 

[Thekoontz]

Sorry, been crazy with work...

Thank you, my son loves it!

My tec does have an electric start. I have an iPad and everything I hit the attachment button my iPad crashes.

I forgot to look at the tires, I'll have to post back with that info. I'll try and upload the pics to photo bucket and post a link here.

 

[Thekoontz]

 

[Thekoontz]

 

[Thekoontz]

 

[firemanjim]

If the engine runs, keep it..... Mod it a little so it has more power. Then you can play with your gear ratio to get more speed. You might consider going with a TC though. It would give you the low end you need to get going, and then switch automatically to a better ratio for more top end with a 10% overdrive........

 

[Thekoontz]

Had some popping and back firing going on. Changed air filter, spark plug and rebuilt the carb. That fixed that but created a small fuel leak out of the air filter, "sticking float I'm thinking" and out of no where the throttle was sticking full throttle. I now replaced the carb with a new one, that took care of the fuel leak and throttle sticking, looks like the carb spring was shot. Now it won't start without giving throttle and won't idle, you let off and it cuts off and was a little backfire. I got to find a adjustment screw or something.

I seen YouTube videos of these karts and they run pretty good and quick. Not break neck fast but good. Mine just seems straight up slow.

 

[firemanjim]

Look at the arm that controls the throttle blade, inside the carb. You should see a screw with a spring on it, touching that arm. That's the idle screw.... Screw it in a tiny bit at a time, not like a 1/4 turn.....

 

[Thekoontz]

I'll try that, thank you!

 

[Thekoontz]

Tire size is AT 22 x 11-8 tubeless.

Screw adjustment worked great.
,
Now I need more speed! My son rides this thing and is disappointed with how slow it is.

 

[firemanjim]

Now the next step is to count the teeth on all the sprockets. Start at the clutch. Then the sprocket it goes to. Then the smaller sprocket next to that one. Then the axle sprocket. List them separately, and count carefully. Mark one with a crayon or marker. That's #1... Count all the way around.....

 

[Thekoontz]

Well I did a nice test earlier and all went great. I parked it and waited for my son to get home then took him out to play with it and ran fine until it warmed up and we were on the way to our field when it bogged out and died. Tried restarting it and wouldn't right away, waited 2 minutes and tried starting it again and then fired right up. Went another 100yards and same thing bogged out and died. Maybe I have the carb idle screw adjusted too much? I'm ready to buy a engine and stage 2,3 or 4ing it!

 

[firemanjim]

Definitely sounds like a carb problem. If you get a predator 212, you lose the electric start, and battery charging capability. BUT, on the other hand, you end up with an engine you only have to start once. You have an engine that you can abuse (within reason, lol ) all day, as long as you keep up with maintenance. If you can weld and have a welder, you can hop up the engine yourself, and only spend $30 tops, and end up around 10 hp......

 

[Thekoontz]

What predator if I do, do it go with, part number wise. I see 3 different 212 ones on harbor freight. One says it's a "hemi". According to a upgrade website for that engine.

 

[Thekoontz]

I just don't understand, it's a brand new carb...

 

[exjeeper]

Shouldn't bee the idle screw causing it to bog out and die. Sounds more like a fuel starvation/supply issue. You're running the carb bowl out of fuel, won't restart because the bowl is empty, then takes a minute or two to refill. Check the fuel line coming from the tank. Look for kinks or low spots.