New Guy from Ky with a build plan!

[grande]

Hello all,
Joining the forum after lurking for a while. Great advice here so hoping you guys can help in the feature. Im a gear head looking for my next score and not wanting to empty the pockets doing so. I had a RZR that I sold last year because no one was riding and I was sick of throwing money at. Being disabled in a wheel chair limits me to a siting in a seat so without going back to a RZR, I figured a offroad kart would get me back out there!
As of right now, I had a Honda gx390 off a pressure washer given to me and a kart frame given to me. The 390 is tore down as of now to inspect and clean. The governor is removed and since the head was apart for cleaning, I brought out the porting tools and smoothed the runners of the head. The casting was awful!
The plan for now is to use a 40 series comet torque converter with a rigid frame and a 18 inch tire. I do have a corbeau race seat from another project. Its brand new and the cat has used it for a bed more than anything. Anyways, heres the frame. If all fails, ill build a frame from scratch!

http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy274/diesel555/photobucket-9492-1366680651854_zpsdf8dbb17.jpg

 

[OzFab]

Welcome to the forum.

My first concern is how that frame will go with a beefy 13hp engine on it; they usually fly with only 5hp. I'm not saying "don't do it" just keep a close eye out for stress cracks...

Issue #2 is with the engine itself. Most pressure washers have a taper on the PTO end of the crankshaft; have you checked that out? If it's straight cut, you're all good but, if it's tapered, you may be up for a new crankshaft...

All that said, good luck with the project, make sure you keep us updated...

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum. That kart should fly with the larger engine. I agree with what Tony has said, be careful about beefing up the frame a bit

 

[grande]

I actually havent seen the frame in person, it seems light fr the pics. Regardless, it may serve as a model and parts kart. As for the shaft, its the 1 inch nontaper design. Its funny, we use to have 4 or 5 of these engines sitting in the shop. We would go through a few pumps per engine before buying a new washer. Other than carbon build up, this engine looks great!

 

[KartFab]

Haha that's going to be a great kart! Have you figured out gearing yet? I'm not sure but karts that size usually have size 35 chain. With the amount of torque you will have, a new sprocket (41 chain size) and 420P chain would likely need to be installed.

 

[grande]

I agree with the chain size. If I use this kart, it will the bare frame only. The more I think about it, the more I lean to using the steel by in the garage. Found this the other day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTBq3bRRQqE&feature=share&list=FL5P9E74vwxys5rR3iOF7dng

 

[grande]

Grabbed some pics of the ported head. Really needed a longer bit but deffinently will flow better than stock. Now off to get a good cleaning!

http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy274/diesel555/photobucket-16170-1366746394435_zps9b6bed02.jpg

http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy274/diesel555/photobucket-16823-1366746442322_zps6c1d3499.jpg

http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy274/diesel555/photobucket-22808-1366746458096_zps043128e1.jpg

Heres the seat. Like I said, my house cat tends to use it as a bed!

http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy274/diesel555/photobucket-10168-1366746526779_zpse1fdaa80.jpg

 

[doggerss]

Pressure washers normally have a straight shaft not tapered. Generators normally have a tapered shaft. Has to do with the torque to spin a generator under load and is a more secure connection to the crank,shaft.

 

[grande]

Got the block cleaned up a little and the insides cleaned and flywheel removed.

 

[grande]

Also got a list of parts ordered:
gx390 electric starter system
new valve seals
New 3/4 front spindles
2 Douglas mx tires 18x7x8 for front
2 8x6 wheels with 4x4 bolt pattern
2 8x7 wheels with 4x4 bolt pattern
2 front spindle hubs
2 rear stepped hubs
3/4x14 jack shaft system
gx390 head gasket
fuel pump and lines
gx390 open element filter and adapter
exhaust flange
I have decided to build a frame from scratch so hopefully will start next week!

 

[grande]

Picked up the kart today. Im thinking im going to fix this one an let someone enjoy it.

 

[grande]

No compression equaled a intake valve spring being weak. I guess he valve was open for the past year.

 

[qtband]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like you have 8" tires for the front and you list 6" rims.

 

[grande]

8 inch diameter wheels with the front being 6 wide and rears 7 wide. I know ill be running a 18x9.5x8 rear tires but havent decided on tread.

 

[grande]

Got tires in today along with the live axle bearing kit.

 

[grande]

More parts! My front/rear wheels and hubs. I thought I got 4 1/2 spindles but there only 4, so I had to order different ones. Ill sell these for 25 shipped. I also got my yerf dog steering shaft and my Honda electric starter in. Im going to try and use the R1 muffler to keep it quiet. Picked up a pair for $22 so I couldn't pass it up.

 

[grande]

got the engine together over the weekend. started up easy but needs carb adjustment and jetting. also dug out my old jd performance a-arms for a 250r. as of now im just going with a single arm welded to the spindle c bracket with added braces. my only concern is this kart is going to be wide, at 58 inches.