help on my dune buggy project??

[fishallday323]

i just got a crossfire 150 frame and it came with the original howhit motor and a 14 hp kohler(both don't work i beleive). it has a live axle and I was just thinking of buying a new 15 hp lifan motor or something like that but i cannot find a torque converter for that big of a motor under 300. if i got a 11 hp or 13 hp motor would it impact the performance in a big way? because I just wanted to set up the motor and converter for under 500 or so. any input would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Welcome to the forum. May I suggest you address the issues with your existing engines first? Seems to me there's a good chance you can fix one or both for a lot less than a new engine and CVT. Any idea what's wrong with them? Odds are good that at least one is a simple thing.

 

[fishallday323]

thanks and yea i have no idea whats wrong with them. I mean I would rather put money towards a new motor and everything then spend money on a older motor that might break down on me down the line you know? i mean these motors have been out in the elements just sitting for a good year so i think they're probably shot

 

[OzFab]

IIRC, a 15hp engine has the same size shaft (1") as an 11hp, 13hp & 14hp so, no matter which one you choose, you'll still end up paying $300 for a cvt unless you find both used.

What is wrong with the two engines you have? Please don't say "they don't work," we know that, what we would like to know is why not.
Do thet turn over?
Do they have compression & spark?

Chances are you won't have to spend alot, if anything, just a bit of time...

 

[fishallday323]

the 14 hp kohler doesn't have a gas tank but has electric start and when i turn the key all it does is just click and i cleaned off the connections and it still just clicked. also i took the spark plug and it was gunked up but i could turn the shaft. i think it might be the solenoid but if it isn't then i just wasted $20 or so you know? and the other howhit motor i have no clue whats wrong with it it has a torque converter and i havent seen a motor like it. its this http://www.buggydepot.com/store/images/product_411_1257940338.jpg

 

[OzFab]

the 14 hp kohler... i could turn the shaft. i think it might be the solenoid but if it isn't then i just wasted $20 or so you know?

That's a good sign.

Take the starter off & bench test it. If you need to know how, let me know...

and the other howhit motor i have no clue whats wrong with it it has a torque converter and i havent seen a motor like it.

Start by trying to turn it. Check the oil (I'm assuming it's a 4 stroke) before you try. Top the engine so the oil get into the bottom of the piston.

 

[fishallday323]

can you please tell me how to benchmark the starter?
and do you think if i get the kohler motor running i could use the torque converter from the other motor?

 

[OzFab]

can you please tell me how to benchmark the starter?

OK, you'll need:
A suitable battery
starter/jumper cables

Start by removing the starter motor from the engine. There should be two or three nuts/bolts holdiing it on as well as a nut holding a large cable.

Now do a visual inspection. Check the teeth on the pinion as well as movement along the shaft; it should twist. Also check that the motor itself spins freely.

Once you've done that, place the cable from battery negative the the mounting bracket of the starter & the cable from the battery positive to the nut (not the bare post) where you removed the large cable. Be aware, the starter will jerk (if it works) & it should spin.

Also, have a read of this thread

and do you think if i get the kohler motor running i could use the torque converter from the other motor?

Probably not. Check the size of the driven unit on the output shaft; my bet is it's only 3/4"

 

[anderkart]

place the cable from battery negative the the mounting bracket of the starter & the cable from the battery positive to the nut (not the bare post) where you removed the large cable. Be aware, the starter will jerk (if it works) & it should spin.

Except I'd first try this simple test while the starter was still installed, and conect your jumper cables to a 12 volt battery that you know is good. (like the battery in a car that you know starts and runs)

 

[FatCat]

I agree. Check the battery first thing. Wouldn't that be a easy fix. Also on the clutches. Keep your eyes on eBay. I grabbed a brand new in the box Comet 40 series primary, secondary, and belt for less than half the price of a new one.

 

[Nodroz]

That engine (http://www.buggydepot.com/store/images/product_411_1257940338.jpg) is probably a 50cc 2 stroke engine. They indeed have a build in torque convertor, which works quite good. Mine has 30,000 km on it, and still working like a charm. Only replaced the belt a few times.

I have seen several builds with these engines, have a look at youtube and maybe you can get some inspiration from it.

The torque convertor from the other engine (http://www.buggydepot.com/store/images/product_411_1257940338.jpg) will very unlikely fit on the Kohler. Also know that this 2 stroke engine (if its 2 stroke) will go much higher in rpm. If you attach this so a 4 stroke, the clutch will barely engage.

Also notice the output shaft on that smaller engine. It's not keyed, so it will be quite hard finding a sprocket that fits on those teeth.

 

[r97]

Nordz, I'm pretty sure the howhit engine on his kart is a 150 4 stroke. A 50cc 2 stroke go kart would be pretty low on performance.

Fishallday323, before you do anything mentioned... Does your engine have a pull start? If so have you tried using that to start it instead of the electric start?

 

[fishallday323]

It doesnt have a pull start but i think im going to just get a rope and try to start it that way if not i will test the starter ill post later the results lol

 

[fishallday323]

i got the motor to turn over now hopefully it should be running when i get a new spark plug and some new gas in it.
now for the torque converter could i just use a comet 30? also i found out the kohler is only a 11 hp motor

 

[r97]

You should use a Comet 500, 40 or 44 series CVT on an 11hp engine.

 

[poordad]

you can use a polaris atv clutch on that engine with a few mods.


http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17213

these clutches are very tunable and can take much more than the engine can give.

 

[fishallday323]

thanks
also since it doesn't have a fuel tank is there a way i could rig something up like a "substitute" without having to pay too much just to make sure it runs? or do yall have any ideas on it?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

A tank is a tank. 3 Requirements, really. It has to hold fuel, have a fitting on it that you can connect the hose to, and a vent. In a few minutes, I will post a pic of the tank I use for bench testing engines.

 

[fishallday323]

Ok i got a tank and i tryed starting it and it wouldnt run but it ran for a couple minutes when i sprayed carb cleaner in the carb. Do yall think the carb needs to be rebuilt? Or is it a fuel pump issue?

 

[r97]

I'ts probably the carb unless the fuel pump is completely dead. What kind of fuel pump does it have? Try to test it if you can.