Harbor Freight's predator engines

[r_chez_08]

You need to undo the 10mm lock nut on the throttle lever a little to allow it to move freely, then get a few smallish extension/tension springs. You can get these from eBay or a hardware shop.
Install one spring from pedal to frame to pull back the pedal and put one spring on the throttle lever to pull it back. You may have to drill a smal holr in the lever. You can attach the other end of this spring to the recoil housing.

What is wrong with the honda?

 

[pontiacman74]

Here is my set up....

 

[Jknisley56]

I bought the 212cc engine this weekend. We have a go cart that I wanted to replace the engine on because the other engine didnt run very well. The new engine took 30 minutes to mount. I did loosen the throttle nut and it ran great.

 

[Jknisley56]

The Honda was a GC190. It is designed for full throttle applications like a power washer or a log splitter. It wouldnt work on the cart. I changed to the Predator engine and it was quick and easy. The gas pedal is spring loaded so just letting off of the pedal slowed the cart. I am attching a picture of my son driving it in the yard.

 

[pontiacman74]

I know you will be happy with this engine. I have had no problems! For oil I run Mobile1 15w 50 with some lucas oil stabilizer.

 

[strang]

the low oil sensor is the black bit under the crank.

I pulled the low oil sensor out, which can be done without removing the cam shaft I think, but I took it out anyways.
After I got it all back together and put oil and gas in it, it started right up.
At low speed it had a kind of kick to it, which I'm assuming is the power strokes, but if you gave it a little gas it steadied out pretty good.

Here is one problem I'm having with mine....

A hard turn and letting off the gas stalls the motor.

Is this possibly the low oil sensor sensing low oil while turning hard?

The sensor wire coming out of the block is one wire; goes into a small metal case with another wire coming out.

How would you disconnect this?

I was told that the small metal case increases the spark and removing a wire might damage the spark thingy (and it's $80)

 

[redsox985]

If you open up that little box, there should be a male/female style connection to which that wire from the block is connected. There will be no ill effects of disconnecting this. It has been done countless times. Letting off the gas too quickly could be a mixture issue.

 

[strang]

Thanks, I'll try that.

I didn't know the mixture could be adjusted

 

[Homemadgokarts1221]

I have a generator with a robin subaru and it seems to be a very nice engine. It starts on 2nd pull, idk how it would do in a go kart

 

[pontiacman74]

Yes I had the same problem and just disconnected it on my 212cc. No more shutting off.

 

[r97]

I have a generator with a robin subaru and it seems to be a very nice engine. It starts on 2nd pull, idk how it would do in a go kart

IMO, Robin Subaru = best in the business. my EX17 is awesome.

http://robinamerica.com/pfeatures.aspx?pid=8

6hp Subaru can be had for $225 new on eBay w/free ship. 9hp Subaru can be had for $275 new on ebay w/ free ship, both with 3yr warranty, low oil sensor removed, go kart ready throttle system, and all features mentioned in the link above. a 7hp version is also available for $320 incl ship.

Yeah, i kinda like the Subies....

p.s. check out the 7hp subare EFI engine, its pretty cool.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

only problem is generators usually have no throttle arm and have a tapered shaft.

 

[kendelrk]

not meaning to dig up an old thread, but just found this at nr-racing http://nr-racing.com/Predator.htm

 

[osso12]

i found this pic on the internet. looks like a predator engine is on it

Thanks for promoting us!
That is a HF predator. The kart comes to us from china with no engine. We were using Blue HF until HF discontinued the Blue clones due to quality issues. (HF's words not mine)
The kart you are seeing went from a blue clone, to the predator
(in the pic) and then now it has a 8.5HP INTEK briggs on it.
BTW. The predator is 212 CC 8.8 ft. lbs. @ 2500 RPM also ball bearing shaft for long life.

 

[DIGGERDAVE]

2 issues @ hand plastic flywheel vs aluminin

well, i pulled open the case and i was disappointed. It has a plastic cam gear. Though, the gears are helical gears which is good.

i think it will probably hold up ok under normal power, but if it were to be spiked under some high power it might eat up the gear a little bit. The governor is in the top left corner there and the low oil sensor is the black bit under the crank.

They also drill out the crank shaft where the rod connects to, to save weight i'm assuming. I'm not sure if this is standard practice in small engines. I don't for see it really being a problem though.

the fly wheel is too parts, the cast iron wheel bit for the weight and then a plastic part that is the fins for the air blower.

i pulled the low oil sensor out, which can be done without removing the cam shaft i think, but i took it out anyways. After i got it all back together and put oil and gas in it, it started right up. At low speed it had a kind of kick to it, which i'm assuming is the power strokes, but if you gave it a little gas it steadied out pretty good. Now i just need something i can bolt it to for like 3 hours to break it in lol.

All of the machined surfaces looked pretty good from what i can remember. The lifter rods seem kind of puny to me as they are only about 1/8" i think.

flywheel alum vs. Plastic plastic lighter to turn thus improving time for engine to accelerate. Next the cam gear... Plastic cam is better in the fact that if the engine is over revved the valves may float the cam gear is the failure point not the valves !!! Take note governor removing people!

 

[camarossnitro]

I have a Manco Dingo. It's very, very good. I had to modify one of the smaller axles to install the Predator, And everything barely fits. I wanted to use a 212 but it could not fit my Comet Torque converter. So, 346 had to be used. this car is tearing up my lawn.

 

[EZ-GOnewild]

The Honda was a GC190. It is designed for full throttle applications like a power washer or a log splitter. It wouldnt work on the cart. I changed to the Predator engine and it was quick and easy. The gas pedal is spring loaded so just letting off of the pedal slowed the cart. I am attching a picture of my son driving it in the yard.

Your cart looks like mine a Ken-Bar Mfg Rebel. So the Predator will just bolt on and go? Is the crankshaft 3/4"?

Thanks!