Max-Torque Ⓒ

[Hellion]

Max-Torque Clutches

Max-Torque and JimD videos. FYI, JimD is Max-Torque. If there's more videos out there, post them.
maxtorqueclutches has only 1 video on his channel, that's my only gripe.

How to disassemble a Max-Torque centrifugal clutch:

Missed this one when it went public but it's almost a factory tour.

How it's made:
Good info about lubricating the clutch Oilite bushing at 2:21

Important Info for Max Torque Converters

Info on Max Torque Converters (Murray Kilowatt) Hey all! Here is a note from the owner on Max-Torque Converters. It also covers the proper way to rebuild the driven unit and set the spring pre-load tension. We only make two styles -- inboard mount and outboard mount on the drivens. All of...

www.diygokarts.com

 

[Sparkwizard]

I know I have watched that video of Jim Donovan himself turning drums and installing springs.
I need to contact him about some ancient saw engines. He is the man!

 

[JimD]

Sparkwizard -- let me know what you have and I will try and help you out. At 81 everyday is a gift. I come to work to hide from my wife. She can always find jobs for me to do but I can only hide here so long before my daughter cannot take me giving stuff away. When I go to vintage kart races I bring boxes of steel to give away to the people that want it for odd jobs. These are the bar ends that will not go into the lathe one more time, not enough for the collet to grip to. Old people cannot stand to throw good things away and they don't pay anything for scrap any more, china has enough and our mills are closing down. People that are handy are dying off and the younger generation is a throw away society. They don't fix anything, buy new is their philosophy. Enough of my preaching.

 

[Sparkwizard]

PM sent

 

[Sparkwizard]

I could not attach pictures in PM, so I will try here.
The woodruff is 1/8, the key slot is 3/16. There it 7/8 smooth crank between the block and the end of the key slot.

 

[Sparkwizard]

I spoke with Jim Donovan on the phone this morning. He is such a great guy, I want to call him again and order another clutch....or three!
Thanks, Jim!

 

[JimD]

I just want to hear the clutch fit perfectly and works just the way you wanted. That is what is missing in modern karting is the ingenuity that the old kart racers had to make things faster and better than the next guy. The young people just don't "tinker" with things and try and figure out how they work and how can I do it better. The racers are what make the changes, it is not the manufacturers, it is the end user that comes up with the new ideas that they reveal when they are getting out of the sport and tell you what made them go faster. I see it on this site when people give their experience to others to shorten their R & D. It is years of experience that I enjoy reading about from the guys that have tried other approaches and share why it will not work.

 

[Denny]

Well said Jim, but it’s not only with karting. The same is true with cars.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

And space shuttles.

 

[Sparkwizard]

I received a package from Max-Torque today. Inside is the exact clutch I was thinking about while I was on the phone, Monday.
This is an antique go kart racing engine from the sixties, and parts do not exist, new anymore. Now, I have an engine put together with used parts I have been scrounging for months, with a brand new, custom-built Max-Torque clutch to fit it! Now, maybe I'll get off my butt and finish a frame to run it on! Thanks, Jim!

 

[Hellion]

I received a package from Max-Torque today.

You should have posted pics especially since it sounds like it is not a run-of-the-mill clutch. Would have loved an unboxing video.

 

[Sparkwizard]

You should have posted pics especially since it sounds like it is not a run-of-the-mill clutch. Would have loved an unboxing video.

I'm so sorry. I got all excited and started bead blasting that engine the same day I got the clutch. It is mostly back together, now, so I can get a few pictures.

 

[Hellion]

Interesting article on Max-Torque regarding Bushing & Chain Maintenance:

Max-Torque Clutches

This article is not meant to sell any type of chain lube but to inform and educate the person that takes his time to read it. The problems experienced with chains can be minimized with some planning. Lubing your chain the day of the race is too late!

The use of paraffin wax is especially interesting. I will have to try it as it seems like a dry or semi dry treatment and long lasting.

 

[Dominic Salvato]

Hope this helps.

 

[Hellion]

Hey Jim, where can I get some merchandise? I'd like a Max-Torque coffee cup and maybe a T-shirt.

 

[Sparkwizard]

Buy a clutch from Jim and he will send some awesome stickers! I want a mug, too.

 

[Hellion]

R.I.P. “JimD” Jim Donovan president of Max-Torque and a great friend to the forum.

I’m horribly late on this as he passed away on October 29, 2026 but I saw it on OMB forum. https://oldminibikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/sad-news.187717/

Jim Donovan, Mr Max-Torque, has passed away

Jim Donovan was a commercial/industrial banker who in 1989, along with his late business partner Fred Meyers, purchased Max-Torque, a company which…

www.vroomkart.com

R.I.P. Jim Donovan - rearenginekarts.com

Stacey Gunn on Instagram: "On Thursday the karting community lost one of its greatest ambassadors and we lost a dear friend. Jim Donovan, owner of Max Torque, passed away peacefully at his home. Over the last several years, Jim had spent time with

8 likes, 3 comments - campchaosoflsr on October 31, 2026: "On Thursday the karting community lost one of its greatest ambassadors and we lost a dear friend. Jim Donovan, owner of Max Torque, passed away peacefully at his home. Over the last several years, Jim had spent time with us in the LSR...

www.instagram.com

Cup Karts North America

Unfortunately, one of the truly great people in karting has passed. Jim Donovan, owner of Max-Torque Clutches passed away late last week. This picture emphasized what I will always remember best...

www.facebook.com

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Jim%20Donovan%20Max%20Torque

From Facebook:

On Thursday the karting community lost one of its greatest ambassadors and we lost a dear friend. Jim Donovan, owner of Max Torque, passed away peacefully at his home.
Over the last several years, Jim had spent time with us in the LSR Motorsports pit. He would bring his grill and more food than we could ever eat and cook, sometimes including breakfast and dinner! At the same time he would have his tools and be continually adjusting the draggin skin clutches based on the drivers feedback. Even when the clutch was performing at its best, he was always looking for something to make it better.
When he wasn't cooking or tweaking clutches, Jim could be found at the head of the grid watching the action. Seeing him watch the racing you could see the true passion he felt for the sport. He was always there to help with anything, even if it wasn't a product he made. He would help setup and tear down, and jump into help anyone when it was needed.
It's hard to put into words what we have lost with Jim's passing. His impact on this sport and on our lives will never be forgotten. For Jim it seemed it was simple, do what is in the best interest of the karter and you do what is in the best interest of the karting community as a whole.
We have been truly blessed to get to know Jim and gain so much knowledge, not just about a clutch, but about what it is to truly have a passion for something. He will never know how much he did for us and how much we will miss him going forward.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Good gracious. So very sorry to hear this. Condolences to his family. He was a literal living treasure.

 

[Denny]

Oh my God! I’m so sorry to hear this! Jim had invited me many times to his place. I’m sorry I never made it. He was a great friend to the hobby/sport and had a heart of gold. He will sorely be missed.