New at carting

[MGiven]

Hello, I'm from Harrison, MI and just adopted a go kart frame with a cushman rear axle. I'm thinking I'm going to make this my winter project to get it ready by spring. the axle has a belt drive clutch on it so I'm not sure whether to put a gear on it or leave it belt drive. might be asking a few questions so hopefully not too bothersome. I've got experience with vintage sleds so hopefully that will help lol.

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum. If it were me, I would go chain drive. It is just a lot easier to maintain

 

[x5050160]

Thats an odd setup. Those rear tires are mean looking. What size are they?

 

[enginefitter]

Welcome from NE Ohio.

Engine

 

[landuse]

Thats an odd setup. Those rear tires are mean looking. What size are they?

You will need to gear relatively low with tyres that large

 

[MGiven]

Thanks for the replies, not sure on tire size I'll have to look tonight. What size motor do you think I should try on this thing? 8 hp briggs or maybe get a single cyl sled fan motor and put on it?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

I would do a ratio test on the pulley vs. the wheels and see if there is a gear down/up inside that mechanism. In other words, see how many rotations of the pulley equal a full rotation of the tire (or vise-versa).

 

[OzFab]

The small pics make it difficult to see any detail; for all we know, that "belt drive clutch" may be a TC driven clutch but, what series? Can you post some larger pics so we can see what's really there?

 

[MGiven]

Here are some pics of the rear end with some id numbers that are on it. The pulley went around 13 times to one revolution of the rear tires which are 18 x 9.5 x 8. The clutch looks similar to a secondary clutch on a snowmobile. thank you for the replies

 

[OzFab]

It certainly does appear to be a TC driven clutch...

Once you determine exactly which one, you should be able to connect a driver to your desired engine & be on your way...

 

[MGiven]

I'll have to tear it down and see what we have. thanks for the reply, what motor do you think would be best to start looking for?

 

[OzFab]

Unsure as yet, we need to figure out the TC first...

 

[Denny]

That is a golf cart rear end. There is a disc brake behind that clutch. Be careful with it, if you stop too fast on gravel it WILL spin you out. I would have to look in one of my old books for a belt size but it will probably be over 1" wide. I believe it was powered by a 7 or 8 hp Briggs or Tec. engine. Salsbury made the clutches. You will not get lots of speed out of it. The high speed gears are impossible to find, I have been looking over 15 years for them. Rare is not the word, unobtainium is. With a 23 inch tall tire you may be able to get 22 mph out of it. If you decide to get rid of the rear end let me know. I hope this helps you out. I used to own a golf cart dealership 10 years ago.
By the way and start a thread on this baby.

Denny

 

[MGiven]

What to build, what to build

So I inherited this frame from the son and want to build me a kart. It has a cushman rear axle with a salisbury (330 i think?) tc clutch.
I'm looking for advice on what direction to go with it.
keep the clutch that's on it or go to a gear?
The clutch spins 13 times to one wheel revolution with the 16.9.50x8 tires that are on it. Does that make it 13:1 gearing?

Also the brake cable is broke. Is there somewhere I can get a new one made with that end pressed it that goes on the pedal?

thanks is advance for any advice. new territory here, I've got experience with 2 stroke vintage sleds but first kart for me.

 

[Lucky7]

I would get rid of that gear box and just do a live axle swap with a chain or belt drive. Maybe 10hp???? Depends on how much your kart weighs+you???

 

[OzFab]

You already have a thread on this subject, why are you starting another? Threads merged...

 

[itsid]

your TC driven is toast.. (either the cam or the torque bracket.. maybe both?)

Anyways, it doesn't look like a 330 but it very much looks like a salsbury.

personally, I'd get just any set that matches your engine (powerwise) and the gearbox (shaftwise)
and just replace it with something you can actually buy replacement parts for

But frankly.. I'd flip it first (to have the engine in front of the axle not behind)
and then try to find a solution for mounting the engine.

and only if that's covered care about a new TC;
since in case you open a can of worms, you can just go back to live axle and chain, and then buy whichever TC is a cheap match


Yes, that'd be 13:1 which might be a bit low for your likings..
but at least you have all the low end grunt you need to climb some nice hills

if you want speed, you will need to get bigger tyres though.. (24" dia should match that gear ratio just fine)


'sid

 

[Denny]

I can"t see anything wrong with his driven It looks fine to me. Some of those Cushman golf carts had rear facing clutches with rear engines from the factory. So all is probably installed correctly. There are repair parts out there for the driven if needed. Read my post #13. There is a disc brake in there between the upper worm gear case and the clutch that is why it looks so different Sid.

Denny

 

[itsid]

I can"t see anything wrong with his driven It looks fine to me. ............ There is a disc brake in there between the upper worm gear case and the clutch that is why it looks so different Sid.

Denny

Nope, the CRACK in the cam (torque bracket.. can't see which one has the buttons on this one) is why it looks different



see it now? a complete delta thingy is missing...

'sid

 

[crazykart]

All my fellow michiganders are always so far away lol.