Manco Interceptor Refurb.

[G.W]

You can usually see the head through the handle in the box

 

[dustin.s]

I appreciate all the replies. I did a little digging and as far back as 2021 this has been occurring. I am familiar with the engine, but when I bought it thought I had a non-hemi. It wasn’t until yesterday that I had paid much attention to the head when installing the tach/hour meter. I was just caught off guard. I’m not surprised HF doesn’t have great QC, it’s the only way to reduce cost. Some batches are going to fail some are going to have different parts etc. thanks again everyone. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t wrong for future engine mods.

 

[G.W]

I appreciate all the replies. I did a little digging and as far back as 2021 this has been occurring. I am familiar with the engine, but when I bought it thought I had a non-hemi. It wasn’t until yesterday that I had paid much attention to the head when installing the tach/hour meter. I was just caught off guard. I’m not surprised HF doesn’t have great QC, it’s the only way to reduce cost. Some batches are going to fail some are going to have different parts etc. thanks again everyone. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t wrong for future engine mods.

The predator line has wonderful quality control as far as the engines, the packaging is a whole different story

 

[panchothedog]

I have purchased and built 5 of them now. The Predator 212 cc engines. Have not had a bad one, or even a problem with one yet. Getting ready to go into a brand new 224cc I bought a few months ago. I fully expect it to start on the
4th or 5th pull after being reassembled. Just like all the others.

 

[G.W]

I've seen people build those 224s, you can use 212 parts, but you do have to clearance some parts. I'm looking forward to seeing it

 

[dustin.s]

I feel like everyone took my QC comment personal. I love what HF offers, I’m not talking **** on HF or the predator engine itself. Let’s face it HF doesn’t manufacture, they buy and sell. And it’s known that they are able to cut costs by forgoing extra QC by the manufacturers. It’s not a secret or an insult, It’s just reality. The reality is there are probably two manufacturers of the predator line and each has their own head casting which is why they offer both without discretion to model number. I work as an analytical chemist for a chemical manufacturer. Most times we make products from scratch other times we buy and blend. It’s all numbers. My two cents.

 

[G.W]

I feel like everyone took my QC comment personal. I love what HF offers, I’m not talking **** on HF or the predator engine itself. Let’s face it HF doesn’t manufacture, they buy and sell. And it’s known that they are able to cut costs by forgoing extra QC by the manufacturers. It’s not a secret or an insult, It’s just reality. The reality is there are probably two manufacturers of the predator line and each has their own head casting which is why they offer both without discretion to model number. I work as an analytical chemist for a chemical manufacturer. Most times we make products from scratch other times we buy and blend. It’s all numbers. My two cents.

I actually think they manufacture their own engine, not buy it from somewhere else.

 

[panchothedog]

They buy the engines from two separate factories in China. As illustrated in the video provided by B S R there are more small but distinct differences between the two engines. Very little internally is interchangeable between them. I think at one time they got caught short on supply and contracted with a second factory in order to keep up with demand. As much as I wish there were a American counter product, there really isn't. Pretty amazing what they are able to offer to the consumer for the price. I live in Southern California,and have never even seen a 212cc hemi predator. Everything we get here is the standard or wedge head.

 

[G.W]

They buy the engines from two separate factories in China. As illustrated in the video provided by B S R there are more small but distinct differences between the two engines. Very little internally is interchangeable between them. I think at one time they got caught short on supply and contracted with a second factory in order to keep up with demand. As much as I wish there were a American counter product, there really isn't. Pretty amazing what they are able to offer to the consumer for the price. I live in Southern California,and have never even seen a 212cc hemi predator. Everything we get here is the standard or wedge head.

You never get the hemi because you are in California. They have a whole separate model for California to comply with their emissions. I got my first 212 right before they quit putting them on sale for 100 bucks, inlucked out and paid 100 for my first one.

 

[Denny]

He may never see a hemi predator because Californe don’t like gasoline and banned new engines!

 

[G.W]

All it takes is a road trip....

 

[BaconBitRacing]

They buy the engines from two separate factories in China. As illustrated in the video provided by B S R there are more small but distinct differences between the two engines. Very little internally is interchangeable between them. I think at one time they got caught short on supply and contracted with a second factory in order to keep up with demand. As much as I wish there were an American counter product, there really isn't. Pretty amazing what they are able to offer to the consumer for the price. I live in Southern California,and have never even seen a 212cc hemi predator. Everything we get here is the standard or wedge head.

Can’t get a stupid small engine made in the USA. B&S is crap and builds in china, Tecumseh went bust, Kohler makes china crap (for the most part) Clinton went bust… sorry for the rant, I‘m just agitated.

 

[G.W]

Can’t get a stupid small engine made in the USA. B&S is crap and builds in china, Tecumseh went bust, Kohler makes china crap (for the most part) Clinton went bust… sorry for the rant, I‘m just agitated.

Getting decent American made anything is hard anymore. It would be great if we had affordable and high quality small engine manufacturers in the US. I personally love 70s Briggs flatheads because of how bullet proof they are.

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Getting decent American made anything is hard anymore. It would be great if we had affordable and high quality small engine manufacturers in the US. I personally love 70s Briggs flatheads because of how bullet proof they are.

Your right. Losing Sears was a huge blow to American products. I'm still grumpy about losing Clinton, Tecumseh was not great. Briggs used to make nice stuff but after the flathead it went downhill.

 

[G.W]

Your right. Losing Sears was a huge blow to American products. I'm still grumpy about losing Clinton, Tecumseh was not great. Briggs used to make nice stuff but after the flathead it went downhill.

The animal block is the only decent modern Briggs block in my opinion

 

[BaconBitRacing]

The animal block is the only decent modern Briggs block in my opinion

Heck yeah, those are great racing blocks, and they are made in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Too bad they are a small group in kart racing. Too expensive for most people, they go with 196CC clones or Predator 212s.

 

[dustin.s]

A lot closer tonight. I did end having to slightly modify the axle collar stop for the driven gear. Nothing a grinder, welder, and 3 trips to the hardware store couldn’t solve.

 

[G.W]

Sick color choices. I live vibrant colors.

 

[dustin.s]

Sick color choices. I live vibrant colors.

Thanks! If I was making a cart for my self I would paint the chassis grey with neon splatter and the wheels neon green. It was originally blue and yellow, but I went with a brighter blue and yellow. I’m going to slap a couple Goodyear and Sunoco stickers on it and be done. My son is turning six, so I thought the green and red pedals were appropriate.

 

[G.W]

My kart is neon green with black splatter. The black is truck bed liner, the most durable paint I have found for these things.