Hello from Houston area

[bcomp103]

Hey folks! Prior to this weekend never had a go kart and only got to ride go karts at the local putt putt. Only toys I have are some vintage 2 stroke pedal start mopeds. Well, went out and picked up a running Manco 706B for $400 that seems to be mostly stock, not sure as the previous owner didn't know if his son made any upgrades to it and I don't know jack about go kart parts.

My plan is to buy at least a 400cc Predator engine with a few upgrades to turn this into a four seat dune buggy. In time I will either stretch the frame to add the additional seats or build backward facing seats off of the back end. Tbh, the stretch will be the most likely for safety concerns.

For now though, just gonna start improving off the basics like suspension, tires, add lights and mirrors, and a rattle can paint job.

Anyway, excited to be a go kart dude now and look for to stalking some of y'all's builds!

PS, i already swapped out the cushions

 

[Denny]

Welcome! Wow, you really don’t know anything about gokarts! That frame will never take to being stretched that much. You’ll constantly be fixing cracks. The suspension and axles will never take the weight either without bending or breaking outright. If you make it any longer you’ll have to make it wider too, or it will want to roll over on every turn.
There is a reason they don’t make 4 seat yard karts like you have. It’s not safe. You need to move up to a purpose built buggy for that. Stick around and learn a few things and ask questions. We’ll learn you. We’re pretty fart smellers here!

 

[bcomp103]

Welcome! Wow, you really don’t know anything about gokarts! That frame will never take to being stretched that much. You’ll constantly be fixing cracks. The suspension and axles will never take the weight either without bending or breaking outright. If you make it any longer you’ll have to make it wider too, or it will want to roll over on every turn.
There is a reason they don’t make 4 seat yard karts like you have. It’s not safe. You need to move up to a purpose built buggy for that. Stick around and learn a few things and ask questions. We’ll learn you. We’re pretty fart smellers here!

Womp, womp! Oh well, still can jazz this puppy up a bit then and run it till it says no mas!

I see 4 seat karts and when looking at them they literally were longer versions of the 2 seat karts, but they're from China, and well....I don't think they're too concerned with safety and longevity of their products over there.

Appreciate the warning and foresight into troubles I would face if I went that route.

 

[Denny]

Those aren’t karts, they are buggies. Actually different from the ground up. Put a 420 with a 40 series in that kart and have a ball with the extra power! Then use the old engine to build a smaller kart for the kids or whoever!

 

[bcomp103]

Those aren’t karts, they are buggies. Actually different from the ground up. Put a 420 with a 40 series in that kart and have a ball with the extra power! Then use the old engine to build a smaller kart for the kids or whoever!

I'm not trying to argue or be a smart butt with this next question but wouldn't those Chinese buggies still be considered go karts since they have the same suspension and similar frame building and engine as my kart?

 

[Denny]

Their engineering is much different. Suspension is much stronger. For an example cast steel spindles instead of bolts welded to a tube. Heavier duty materials all around. What you have is a very good yard kart made to ride a little better than a kart with no suspension. Note how you only have one U shaped control arm while the 4 seat buggies have 2 to help control the wheel as it hits bumps. Also lessens the chance of bump steer. Lots of other little things you don’t see too.

 

[bcomp103]

Their engineering is much different. Suspension is much stronger. For an example cast steel spindles instead of bolts welded to a tube. Heavier duty materials all around. What you have is a very good yard kart made to ride a little better than a kart with no suspension. Note how you only have one U shaped control arm while the 4 seat buggies have 2 to help control the wheel as it hits bumps. Also lessens the chance of bump steer. Lots of other little things you don’t see too.

No, you're wrong! lol jk.

I didn't catch the control arms when I was scoping them out but that makes a lot of sense. Guess I'm just so used to Chinese goods cutting corners that I didn't expect some to actually have logical builds. Think I built a prejudice towards Chinese goods due to past experiences and now just think its all trash.

 

[Functional Artist]

Hey bcomp103,

Howdy &

Denny knows some stuff (well...the stuff he can still remember & when he's taking his meds)

...& just go have some fun with your new toy

Is there any issues with the current engine?
...or just planning upgrades already?

 

[Speedster]

Welcome! I'm from Texas, too. Originally. Parents moved up when I was little.

 

[bcomp103]

Hey bcomp103,

Howdy &

Denny knows some stuff (well...the stuff he can still remember & when he's taking his meds)

...& just go have some fun with your new toy

Is there any issues with the current engine?
...or just planning upgrades already?

No known issues but time will definitely reveal them if there are. Just planning ahead. I want to use this as toy to rip around the neighborhood and to take down to the beach as a basic dune buggy, and to get to additional fishing spots. I figure that 212 Predator is plenty for moving me and my son around the neighbor but might not move through that loose sand or occasional mud as much with my weight.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Avoiding goods made in China at this point will lead to a pretty spartan life. That is a sad sentence.

 

[bcomp103]

Avoiding goods made in China at this point will lead to a pretty spartan life. That is a sad sentence.

Well, good manufacturing is starting to shift more towards Vietnam, Mexico, and other parts of Latin America. Hopefully that helps with durability and quality a tiny bit.

 

[Denny]

You’re in luck! That MANCO was made in Fort Wayne Indiana. About 100 or so miles from my house! From the factory it had a 8 or 9hp Briggs or Takashema engine on it. A 420 or 459 Predator with a 40 series CVT would be a natural for it!

 

[bcomp103]

Ha! I used to work for an insurance company that was headquartered in Fort Wayne. Def would be heading the Predator route for cost and that I am more familiar with them, and also that I live two minutes from a Harbor Freight lol.

I was reading about the CVTs and how most are pretty universal for several of these smaller engines.

Next step is replacing those shocks and tires, then I probably will paint it.

 

[panchothedog]

I have that exact same kart with a hopped up H F 301 on it. It's everybody's favorite, and I have 4 altogether. As Denny suggested, put a H F 420 with a 40 series torque converter and you won't be able to wipe the smile off your face.

 

[bcomp103]

I have that exact same kart with a hopped up H F 301 on it. It's everybody's favorite, and I have 4 altogether. As Denny suggested, put a H F 420 with a 40 series torque converter and you won't be able to wipe the smile off your face.

Yep, that was the plan after I replace the tires and shocks. Do you know if there is a reverse kit that works with a 420? The one I found says it maxes at 7hp.

 

[panchothedog]

No idea on the reverse kit. None of my karts are equipped with reverse. We back em up the old fashioned way.

 

[panchothedog]

No idea on the reverse kit. None of my karts are equipped with reverse. We back them up the old fashioned way. BTW, your tires look O K. Hard to tell from the picture. Even if they are cracked, you can still get plenty of use out of them by installing inner tubes. Probably 1/4 the cost or less compared to buying new tires. It's a common practice. I've done it a few times. No biggie, not dangerous.

 

[bcomp103]

No idea on the reverse kit. None of my karts are equipped with reverse. We back them up the old fashioned way. BTW, your tires look O K. Hard to tell from the picture. Even if they are cracked, you can still get plenty of use out of them by installing inner tubes. Probably 1/4 the cost or less compared to buying new tires. It's a common practice. I've done it a few times. No biggie, not dangerous.

I figured I could get by with all the cracking the rear two, but they handle like trash for the road. So, I figured I buy a set to throw on for street use.

 

[bcomp103]

So, my son was really wanting to go ride yesterday since the weather gave us a break, but before we were to go out. I wanted to change the oil since I could move it out of the garage into the driveway in case of a spill, and to have more space. I thought the oil was needing a change when I looked it via the screw in gauge, and man it was bad! That oil had to have been cycled more than once in there. That oil was so dark that it absorbed some of the sunlight and made my neighborhood a bit dimmer.

Well, got that done, and went to go start it up and I guess that the oil and engine made such a bond together that it was mad I did that. Why you ask? Because the pull starter rope broke lol. New on the way and should be here today via Amazon since none of my local hardware stores have a replacement.

I guess go karts are kind of like mopeds and the same thing we say about mopeds is true about go karts. They always broke but they're easy to fix!