Murray Kart; Tecumseh Motor????

[dltempler]

Fellas

My boy and his buddy both have Manco Karts. One has a Honda clone motor and the other has a Robin/Subaru. Both are pretty easy to work on, espec. with the help I have received here.

'nother kid in the 'hood is looking at a Murray full suspension kart with a 6hp Tecumseh. Kart looks fine but doesn't run. I am not familiar with Tecumseh but this motor is reportedly missing a linkage spring. If this has one of those diaghram carbs, that is probably shot too.

The price is right if I can work on this myself and get it running for the kids. What is the word on these Tecumseh motors?

 

[Russ2251]

The half dozen or so that I own are very good.
Equipped on my generator, snow-thrower, and mini bike.
In some respects, I prefer them over B&S.
Can be a little finicky if not well maintained.
Most common problem is when gas is not drained completely from carb when stored for long periods.

 

[dltempler]

I think this Murray is a "Kilowatt". Found some stuff on it at another forum and it says that Murray didn't use Comet parts on the TC but rather a company called Max-Torque made it. There is a quote from the Max-Torque rep that says "Murray was pig headed in the way they put that kart together and didn't take outside advice. The distance between the driver and the driven is bigger then any other kart manufacturer. Comet doesn't make a belt large enough and it was a special that Gates made just for Murray. The belts are as rare as chicken teeth."

The pic below is, I believe, the same model but is not the actual kart. I got it off the web.

 

[slideways]

Tecumseh is now out of business. The motors are just as simple as a Briggs. They are prone to rod failure if not kept well oiled and governed. Carbs are simple as hell but still are a problem. The lever choke style are far better than the primer bulb ones as far as starting etc.. .

I have a bunch of Tec's around here that just aren't worth getting running really. For the work you'd put into it you could only turn around and sell it for $75-100.

Max-Torque makes good stuff. Clutches etc.. But i'd be leary of anything you can't find parts for... even online these days.

 

[dltempler]

this particular motor has a primer pump

 

[Russ2251]

They are prone to rod failure if not kept well oiled and governed.

Just like any other engine.

 

[slideways]

Especially these in both my experience and that of most others in the karting community i've heard of experience.

 

[Russ2251]

They are prone to rod failure if not kept well oiled and governed.

Any engine that is not well oiled will fail.
Any engine that has it's governor removed has a shortened life span.

 

[mike75925]

the kart pictured looks an awful lot like the murray hard-drive. it has geared steering like a mower, and like mowers is weak. on the hard-drive, it had a jackshaft and used the big-band band brake ($20 from bobcat). the shocks are too stiff, but the seat is nice. on the one i worked on, one of the swingarm bolts kept coming off even with a new ny-loc nut and bolt.

 

[Blazkowiez]

You shouldn't have trouble with the Tecumseh, governor springs are still available. Its a float bowl carb not a diaphragm gasket carb. Also Murray used comet torque converters in the three separate models of Murray karts I've worked on...

Only the older Murray karts had the gear steering and needs replacement, most of the ones before they went under used simple kart steering like the other of the companies.