Hello, wise elders!
I'm stuck at home and wanted to do something fun, so I'm teaching myself how to weld. My first project is to try and build a cheap-n-dirty kart with as few purchased components as possible. Zero cost is the goal. It's all just for fun, so it doesn't have to be fast or optimal in any way.
So far, I have:
1. a Briggs 4.5hp lawnmower engine (works, but is vertical unfortunately)
2. a peerless 718 gearbox. (donated by a kindly ride-mower repairist)
3. a peerless 100 diff (not sure if I need this)
4. a few chains and sprockets of various sizes.
5. various bits of steel that I might be able to weld up into a frame
I have MANY questions, o wise elders, so it would be cool if you could shine some wisdom over my way. I really have very little idea of what I'm doing.
1. My engine is vertical, however the P700 has a right-angle drive build into it. I was planning on using this to correctly orient power to my axles. I'm ok with just leaving the P700 in gear while I drive.
My question is: Can I mount the P700 upside down so that the input shaft faces up? That would make it much easier to mount to my vertical engine. Otherwise, I'd need a vertical jackshaft & sprockets to get power to the input shaft; I'd like to avoid that if possible. Simple is better right?
2. Clutches. I'm going to need some kind of centrifugal clutch. Do you know what kinds of things have centrifugal clutches in them that could handle kart-sized torque? Is there anything? Any places I could pick one up used/scrap/etc? I'll buy one if I have to, but we're aiming for zero cost here.
3. Flywheels. I read on here somewhere that lawnmower engines need bigger flywheels to compensate for the removal of the blade. Is there any more info on this? What size/weight flyweel should I get? Can I just put it on the output shaft of the motor? Is it dangerous having a large spinning mass outside of the engine like that? Any precautions?
4. What order should things go together? My initial plan was to have the engine go into the clutch, clutch output goes on the P700 input, P700 output goes to live axle (or P100 diff; should I use this? does it gain me anything?), Axle has a brake on it and both rear wheels.
Does this sound sane? Some people suggested putting the clutch on the output of the P700; should I consider this?
5. Wheels. What's a good source of decent wheels & tires for next to nothing? I'm planning on checking scrapyards, mower repair places, etc. Anyone have any tips on what kinds of wheels to get and where I might find them? My ride-mower repair buddy is keeping an eye open for me.
Thanks again, o wise kart elders!
Cheers
Jan
I'm stuck at home and wanted to do something fun, so I'm teaching myself how to weld. My first project is to try and build a cheap-n-dirty kart with as few purchased components as possible. Zero cost is the goal. It's all just for fun, so it doesn't have to be fast or optimal in any way.
So far, I have:
1. a Briggs 4.5hp lawnmower engine (works, but is vertical unfortunately)
2. a peerless 718 gearbox. (donated by a kindly ride-mower repairist)
3. a peerless 100 diff (not sure if I need this)
4. a few chains and sprockets of various sizes.
5. various bits of steel that I might be able to weld up into a frame
I have MANY questions, o wise elders, so it would be cool if you could shine some wisdom over my way. I really have very little idea of what I'm doing.
1. My engine is vertical, however the P700 has a right-angle drive build into it. I was planning on using this to correctly orient power to my axles. I'm ok with just leaving the P700 in gear while I drive.
My question is: Can I mount the P700 upside down so that the input shaft faces up? That would make it much easier to mount to my vertical engine. Otherwise, I'd need a vertical jackshaft & sprockets to get power to the input shaft; I'd like to avoid that if possible. Simple is better right?
2. Clutches. I'm going to need some kind of centrifugal clutch. Do you know what kinds of things have centrifugal clutches in them that could handle kart-sized torque? Is there anything? Any places I could pick one up used/scrap/etc? I'll buy one if I have to, but we're aiming for zero cost here.
3. Flywheels. I read on here somewhere that lawnmower engines need bigger flywheels to compensate for the removal of the blade. Is there any more info on this? What size/weight flyweel should I get? Can I just put it on the output shaft of the motor? Is it dangerous having a large spinning mass outside of the engine like that? Any precautions?
4. What order should things go together? My initial plan was to have the engine go into the clutch, clutch output goes on the P700 input, P700 output goes to live axle (or P100 diff; should I use this? does it gain me anything?), Axle has a brake on it and both rear wheels.
Does this sound sane? Some people suggested putting the clutch on the output of the P700; should I consider this?
5. Wheels. What's a good source of decent wheels & tires for next to nothing? I'm planning on checking scrapyards, mower repair places, etc. Anyone have any tips on what kinds of wheels to get and where I might find them? My ride-mower repair buddy is keeping an eye open for me.
Thanks again, o wise kart elders!
Cheers
Jan