Is this engine mounted sideways??

[KartFab]

I was hoping to find a project, but not a headache. Thanks for the advice.

With the Yerf Dog, what would go into swapping the 6.5 for a 13hp? How much of a project would that be? Is the power/speed gain worth doing the swap?

If you can weld it is pretty easy, and will cost about $20 in steel, and the cost of a 40 series torque converter.

In my opinion is worth doing. Here are two of the very first videos i uploaded to youtube haha.

One is of a yerf dog with predator 6.5 hp on it.
https://youtu.be/wHuNm3yzglA

The other is a dingo (much heavier) with the gx390.
https://youtu.be/B18ybsN8Sf0

 

[AZDesertRunner]

So... lets pretend that I'm still entertaining the idea of getting the frankenkart with the ATV rear end for a second.

The rear end came off of a Honda Fourtrax. The rear diff has a gear ratio of 3.88. Does that help me in picking a clutch? 25" tires.

Honestly, I kind of want a project, as long as it's not a dead-end. I enjoy wrenching. Plus (assuming the engine wasn't destroyed by rain) it is going to be much cheaper to build this, than the yerf dog.

 

[AZDesertRunner]

I just took the advice from y'all and got the Yerf Dog. It wasnt as mint as the pics made it look. Got it for $300.

He said that you cant start it without someone in the driver seat, because it wants to take off as soon as it starts. He said that's what Tecumseh engines do and recommended I put a new engine in it. It also doesnt want to idle. It shuts off if you're not giving it gas. The brakes suck too. He said that it has plenty of boot left on it so he doesnt know why it doesnt work.

Probably gonna do the swap for a 13hp Predator. Definitely need to figure out the brake ASAP. Frame is good and paint is better than ok. Gonna need tires very soon.

Thanks again for your guidance.

 

[Hellion]

The previous owner is a dimwit, at least about engines.

Sounds like the idle is too high and it's slightly engaging the clutch.
Sounds like a dirty carburetor and crappy E-10 (or higher?) gas has been used in it. Also sounds like the idle circuit is clogged. It's all fixable.


I say fix the Tecumseh and use it and see how your kids like it. Then if you find you need more power or whatnot, you can upgrade and you'll have a baseline for comparison.

I say learn how to fix a gummed up carburetor because if you stay in this hobby and keep using gasoline, those are skills you're gonna need.

 

[AZDesertRunner]

I'm pretty familiar with carburetors. I have a couple dirt bikes.

He said that he just rebuilt the carb and put a new clutch on it. The clutch doesn't look new though.

I'm gonna pull it apart this weekend and see what I see.

Truthfully, this isn't my kid's kart anymore. It started out that way, but now I'm into it. I definitely want to juice it up eventually. Especially since I way 220lbs. I'll find another kart for him.

Any advice on the brake? It basically doesn't work.

 

[Holmes]

Maybe post some pics of the brake system; it would help the experts here ( not me mind you ) determine the issue.

I would think there are some good disc brake upgrades that would make sense once you upgrade the motor.

 

[Karttekk]

I just took the advice from y'all and got the Yerf Dog. It wasnt as mint as the pics made it look. Got it for $300.

He said that you cant start it without someone in the driver seat, because it wants to take off as soon as it starts. He said that's what Tecumseh engines do and recommended I put a new engine in it. It also doesnt want to idle. It shuts off if you're not giving it gas. The brakes suck too. He said that it has plenty of boot left on it so he doesnt know why it doesnt work.

Probably gonna do the swap for a 13hp Predator. Definitely need to figure out the brake ASAP. Frame is good and paint is better than ok. Gonna need tires very soon.

Thanks again for your guidance.

Nonsense, Tecumseh engines do not cause a kart to take off when started. Watch this video to understand how they work. This has no throttle cable but the functionality is the same. Previous owner has something setup wrong I'd say. If the linkages are setup correctly the kart should run fine. If you have to replace the carburetor they are inexpensive. Make sure if your kart has a parking or holding brake it works properly. Start the kart with the rear wheels on stands or against a wall or tree until you straighten it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp-XpMSmgfk

Thanks

 

[Joe-405]

The only 2 things that make a kart takeoff upon starting is too high of idle or a bad clutch or torque converter. Nothing else will cause that issue. So it’s gotta be one of those 2 things.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Or a dirty carb.

 

[AZDesertRunner]

If I want to ask more questions as I go through and get this thing running well, should I continue to ask them here, or do you guys prefer I start new threads for each topic?

For instance I have a question about the steering. Driver side tie rod is touching the tire. Passenger side has almost an inch gap. Tire alignment looks ok, but I haven't gotten to test drive it much to see if it is. What can I do to make more room between tie rod and tire?

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

It's OK to keep using this thread as far as I'm concerned, but other people might say differently.
cptmoney used his thread asking about an air cleaner assembly all the way till now, when he's done.
As for the tire, it look like you're missing a wheel spacer on the driver's side.
I know you an get wheel spacers at BMIKarts: https://www.bmikarts.com/search_results.html?k=wheel+spacer&search=

 

[AZDesertRunner]

Yep, wheel spacer makes sense. Thanks for that.

I got it started yesterday but it wants to die instantly, without throttle. I drove it around the neighborhood a bit and it sure is slow. I doubt I got over 15mph. I'm a heavy guy so I wasn't expecting much, but it's sloooooowwww.

I'm wondering if I should just go get a new engine instead of trying to figure out my idling issue. Also wondering if a Predator 212 is really gonna give me much more than the old Tecumseh 6.5 that's in it.

Or I could wait 3 weeks, when I've got a good commission check coming in and I can drop the $360 on a 420cc and $100 on a 40 series.

Just for grins, would the 3203 frame/axle be sturdy enough for me to throw in the Predator 670 v-twin?

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Maaaaaybe......
The C&C Black Widow was a yard kart that they basically just slapped a 670 on, and it did ok as far as I know.
This article basically discourages doing something like that without strengthening the frame quite a bit: http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25081
I personally wouldn't bother messing with the Tecumseh carb, since they're famously annoying. I would just put the Tecumseh in the corner for now, and get a Predator.
I would definitely go for the 420 since you can afford it.

 

[950speed]

Doubt it would be sturdy, broke my 32001 ( which I think is the single seat version) I half and rewelded it three times with mild off roading.
This wa with a stock Briggs 208cc clone, less displacement than a 212, soooooooo a 670 is risky but if you have change to throw any not, just don’t hurt yourself.


And yes the 212 would be better, a new and more reliable even if it is a Chinese clone

 

[Jhoppe]

It would depend on the 13hp engine. You would have to adjust the gearing to get the full potential. That could be done with the new clutch/torque converter you would need to the extra power. I have a stock yerf engine and TC and I would ride it before you decide on a bigger motor. Not saying you wont want one, but it does well for itself. The other issue is size. The bigger motor may require some massaging to fit, but shouldn't be too bad.

 

[Hellion]

...Driver side tie rod is touching the tire. Passenger side has almost an inch gap...

Wheel spacers will fix it, sure, but you also have two different tires mounted on the front and they're not all shaped identically, even if the XX/XX-X tire size ratio is the same. Something to consider.

Align your wheels so that you have a bit of toe-in; I'm not going to say anything about Ackermann.

 

[Karttekk]

That 6.5 HP Tecumseh should put out enough power to get you up to 25-30 MPH normally. I'm 6' 4" tall & weigh just under 200 lbs, my 5.0 HP Tecumseh easily goes over 25 MPH. Either that "new" clutch is slipping, your air filter is clogged, there's a restriction in the fuel line, the throttle/governor linkage is wrong, the brakes are dragging or the previous owner changed gearing somehow with sprocket swaps. Makes no sense a 6.5 HP engine won't push that kart reasonably well. The fact that he told you all Tecumseh engines make karts take off is a sign he has something way off or wrong somewhere. Any chance you could stop by a local mower shop & have them take a look at what's going on with your setup? They should at least be able to tell you if the engine is set up properly.

 

[landuse]

Just remember that a big block is not a pug and play. You will have to totally redo the engine mount as the footprint and bolt holes will be completely different. You might also have alignment issues with sprockets etc, and if they are not on easy to move hubs on your axle, then you have a problem.

If you go that route, you will need to reinforce the frame, motor mounts etc with some bracing. The frame as it is will take some strain if you don't.

 

[AZDesertRunner]

I ended up going with the 212. It's supposed to be for my kid. I'll eventually build something bigger for myself.

Can I reuse these from the Tecumseh, or do I need to purchase a torque converter still?

 

[AZDesertRunner]

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