Hello from Portland, OR. New Project - Looking for advice

[BKrafty]

I think this is a 1980 Fun Kart and I'll be rebuilding it. Worked on mini bikes, but never Karts.
Looking for advice on the following:
Engine replacement - considering Predator 212, but open for suggestions
Clutch - need recommendation
Sprocket counts - Looking for descent low end
Wheels/tires - any limitation on wheels/hubs? Looking for something like the wheel on the attached image - but have no idea if it will work

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[Master Hack]

I think this is a 1980 Fun Kart and I'll be rebuilding it. Worked on mini bikes, but never Karts.
Looking for advice on the following:
Engine replacement - considering Predator 212, but open for suggestions
Clutch - need recommendation
Sprocket counts - Looking for descent low end
Wheels/tires - any limitation on wheels/hubs? Looking for something like the wheel on the attached image - but have no idea if it will work

Engine replacement - considering Predator Good idea
Clutch - Torque converter mo bedder
Sprocket counts - 10/60
Wheels/tires - any limitation round ones work best. Gear ratios are affected by size.
get wheels that fit your hubs or get hubs that fit your wheels.


Oh, and Hi neighbor!

 

[panchothedog]

Is your kart one wheel or two wheel drive? The torque converter is mandatory with big tall tires and two wheel drive ( live axle ). Your current wheels look small enough to probably get by with a centrifugal clutch. If it is for kids where there is a lot of on and off the gas and stopping and starting then the torque converter is much better. Otherwise you will burn up a centrifugal pretty quickly. Does your current engine run ok? It looks a lot like a 196cc clone engine, which is a lot like a predator. If you need a new engine, then there's no better bargain than the Predator 212. Are your tires shot? They look ok in the picture. The one you posted a picture of look beautiful. They also look pretty pricey. 10 X 60 is a good gear ratio for any situation.

 

[Denny]

Sears & Roebuck Lime Limo GoKart! How cool is that.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

That's a one wheel peel

 

[Hellion]

Don't do anything to deface that kart. That is a sublime Lime Limo from Sears. Basically a collector's item and it looks nearly mint.
I bet it would fetch a pretty penny. I'd look for the correct engine for it, a Tecumseh or Briggs flathead and then send it on its merry way. It's a one wheel fun kart and basically useless for what you (seem to) want.

Honestly I would look for some other kart to bastardize modify. For those kind of tires and wheels, just go ahead and get a used racing kart. You will thank me later.



Funny thread title. You don't welcome yourself, that's our job.

 

[Hellion]

Not the stock engine and it hasn't been started in years. Good advice regarding selling it and getting a used racing kart. Would you recommend selling on FB/Craigslist/Other?

There's a guy looking for a "restored" Lime Limo on this forum, he goes by Limelimo1978 but he hasn't been seen since 2023. Post #14: https://www.diygokarts.com/communit...-kart-restoration-complete.43608/#post-598375

I am just using him as an example. Otherwise I would definitely suggest Failbook Marketplace or whichever, although this site does come to mind.... (Another Sears product): https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-sears-orange-krate-go-kart/

Yours appears to have been stored indoors with very little wear and tear and even appears to have the original tires, so no restoration needed. The only thing maybe is strip the red and green paint off the pedals.

 

[Hellion]

What kind of karting are you aiming for? Street/pavement/abandoned mall parking lots or offroad?

 

[BKrafty]

Is your kart one wheel or two wheel drive? The torque converter is mandatory with big tall tires and two wheel drive ( live axle ). Your current wheels look small enough to probably get by with a centrifugal clutch. If it is for kids where there is a lot of on and off the gas and stopping and starting then the torque converter is much better. Otherwise you will burn up a centrifugal pretty quickly. Does your current engine run ok? It looks a lot like a 196cc clone engine, which is a lot like a predator. If you need a new engine, then there's no better bargain than the Predator 212. Are your tires shot? They look ok in the picture. The one you posted a picture of look beautiful. They also look pretty pricey. 10 X 60 is a good gear ratio for any situation.

Thanks for the info! What torque converter do you all recommend if I end up going with a 212?

 

[BKrafty]

What kind of karting are you aiming for? Street/pavement/abandoned mall parking lots or offroad?

A little bit in my neighborhood...might run it in the snow as we usually get a dusting and no more than 2". Would be fun to drift a little.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Consider getting a flag for visibility/safety.

 

[Hellion]

Thanks for the info! What torque converter do you all recommend if I end up going with a 212?

30 Series TAV2, based on Predator engine horsepower.

Most everything else out there is a Chinese clone. Here's the original manufacturer Comet: https://www.cometclutches.com/products/torque-converters/

 

[panchothedog]

Looking again at your kart, if it is one wheel drive, the way the engine is mounted,
way to the side over the drive wheel you might not have the room for a torque converter to fit without butchering up the back end. Also drifting with one wheel drive isn't quite the same. I know nothing about rare old kart values, but you might want to look into the advice given to you by Hellion. If the kart has some collector value, the LAST thing you want to do is start modifying it.

 

[Denny]

If you want to put a converter on that kart. Find another kart, those are kind of saught out, kinda valuable in that shape. To put a converter on that kart you would need a new rear axle, brakes and a bunch of welding.

 

[BKrafty]

I think this is a 1980 Fun Kart and I'll be rebuilding it. Worked on mini bikes, but never Karts.
Looking for advice on the following:
Engine replacement - considering Predator 212, but open for suggestions
Clutch - need recommendation
Sprocket counts - Looking for descent low end
Wheels/tires - any limitation on wheels/hubs? Looking for something like the wheel on the attached image - but have no idea if it will work

Thanks for the suggestions

OK - I did remove the engine since the tank was rusty. I'm going to replace it with an inexpensive Predator 212 and will stick with a clutch and likely sell it. What clutch would you all recommend with this engine? https://www.harborfreight.com/65-hp...Smazg87Z3MVYwFPzuw1RM_BPpmNue7-QaAtz9EALw_wcB

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Max-Torque, all day. 10 tooth on clutch, 60 tooth on axle.

 

[BKrafty]

Max-Torque, all day. 10 tooth on clutch, 60 tooth on axle.

Just ordered it. Thank you!

 

[BKrafty]

Max-Torque, all day. 10 tooth on clutch, 60 tooth on axle.

I purchased the engine (Predator 212) and clutch (Max-Torque), how do I know what collar I need for this?

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

White collars think they work but blue collars are actually the ones that work.

Not sure what your getting at?

 

[BKrafty]

White collars think they work but blue collars are actually the ones that work.

Not sure what your getting at?

I was confused about the distance/size of collar - so I got some shims to help.