New Kart/Clutch help

[rmelo99]

Picked up this kart with a 5-6hp Tecumseh engine. It didn't have a chain or clutch so I had to add one on as part of getting it on the road for my kids.

Today was the inaugural run after putting everything together. My son was a bit scared so my wife and then me did the 3 runs in the cart up and down the street. Under 10mins of driving total.

It's a #40 14tooth 1" Bore clutch. The rear wheels are 15". I don't have a tooth count on the rear wheel sprocket.

- The go kart struggled with slight incline, like maybe 5degrees on the street.
- It was very slow but with a good push from behind we both were able to get it to cruise down the street. If I had to guess between 5-8mph.
- I can tell it was getting very hot. Any tips on cooling it
-I thought perhaps our weight was contributing 200-240lb plus the kart. Online searches seem to indicate this should be ok

I did some searching and am worried we ruined the clutch already. How can I check/confirm? I'd like to take it out again tomorrow but don't want to cause any further damage.

---------- Post added at 11:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:23 PM ----------

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[landuse]

You are going to have to give us your axle sprocket tooth count so that we can see what gearing you have. I suspect that you are geared too tall, and that is why you are burning up the clutch.

Getting a 10T clutch would probably solve your problem

 

[rmelo99]

You are going to have to give us your axle sprocket tooth count so that we can see what gearing you have. I suspect that you are geared too tall, and that is why you are burning up the clutch.

Getting a 10T clutch would probably solve your problem

I counted 60 this morning on axel sprocket. How does that sound with a 14t on the clutch?


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[mckutzy]

It's bad... 4.28:1...
You'll need a 6:1

It's odd that the motor of that size has a 1" shaft...
Off hand to correct that.. you need to build a jack shaft...
Or change the motor and clutch to 10t...

Since this is a tec motor, finding another smaller diameter shaft might be a crap shoot, might be cheaper to go the predator route..

 

[Smerft85]

I second taking the predator route, couple that with a 10t clutch and itll do much better, remove the governor and itll unleash that kart in a lot of ways.

 

[rmelo99]

I was advised to go the predator route. When I called my local HF they were out of stock and no estimate on getting them in this past weekend.

In the mean time I threw the chain and clutch I had already purchased and got the thing running.

If I pair a 10T clutch with my existing 60T axel sprocket I should be in better shape?


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[mckutzy]

Yes.. much better...
OH a big safety thing....... get rid of the belts, If you dont have a proper cage installed..
You need to be flung from the ride and not be retained and pinned between the obstruction and the machine...
But of course always wear a helmet...

 

[Smerft85]

I was advised to go the predator route. When I called my local HF they were out of stock and no estimate on getting them in this past weekend.

In the mean time I threw the chain and clutch I had already purchased and got the thing running.

If I pair a 10T clutch with my existing 60T axel sprocket I should be in better shape?


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Yes, but with a 1" shaft a 14t is the only option I'm aware of other than a t/c. Try harbor freight online, you could have it shipped and still use the coupon, with the added shipping cost youd pay shelf price or close.

 

[rmelo99]

Yeah I had already ordered a 3/4” Clutch since it looked like any replacement engines would be likely 3/4” shaft.

I think most of the HF coupons exclude the predator but I’ll see what I have around.


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[anickode]

Yeah I had already ordered a 3/4” Clutch since it looked like any replacement engines would be likely 3/4” shaft.

I think most of the HF coupons exclude the predator but I’ll see what I have around.


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Every month or two they have a Predator 212 specific coupon for $99

If you can get into the store vs order online, you'll be able to pick out one with the hemi head on it (has a cast aluminum valve cover instead of stamped steel... the picture on the box shows it)

 

[rmelo99]

Every month or two they have a Predator 212 specific coupon for $99

If you can get into the store vs order online, you'll be able to pick out one with the hemi head on it (has a cast aluminum valve cover instead of stamped steel... the picture on the box shows it)

They have it online but when I try to purchase it says the $99 one isn’t available in CT and I have to get the $119 one. We haven’t really ventured out but there are 2 stores within 15 min of my house. Will try calling in the morning see if I luck out at either


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[rmelo99]

So I ordered online but no eta on delivery. The local stores don’t have the predator 212cc.

We took the kart out again today. I’m going to say I don’t think we burned the clutch during the last run.

Biggest issues seem to be take off, slight incline in road. When we get to the flat stretch of our street we are cruising.

The motor seems to be strong, I did and oil change and applied oil on chain and clutch.

can I find 10T clutch for this shaft engine would that help with my issues? Don’t mean to sound like a broken record but looking for options until I can get my hands on the predator


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[rmelo99]

So I ordered online but no eta on delivery. The local stores don’t have the predator 212cc.

We took the kart out again today. I’m going to say I don’t think we burned the clutch during the last run.

Biggest issues seem to be take off, slight incline in road. When we get to the flat stretch of our street we are cruising.

The motor seems to be strong, I did and oil change and applied oil on chain and clutch.

can I find 10T clutch for this shaft engine would that help with my issues? Don’t mean to sound like a broken record but looking for options until I can get my hands on the predator


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Ok so good news I got the predator and 10t Clutch installed. Was a super quick swap, took less than 30mins.

Bad news is I had my wife take it for the first test drive and the kart went so fast she couldn’t stop it and crashed and rolled it over. She’s pretty bruised but nothing major fortunately. :-(

So I’m not sure if the throttle cable is off. She’s convinced the brakes didn’t work, but at this point I have no clue.

1.) I need to make this slower.
2.) I need to get the kill switch connected. There is one near the steering wheel with 2 wires, where do I get those on the engine
3.) how to I confirm brake is good? It stopped the old engine and gearing at much slower speeds.


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[Brianator]

One of the wires goes to a ground on the engine block, the other will go to the lead that is coming out from behind the fan should, no need to worry about or use the on/off switch built onto the motor. The only way to slow it down properly is to gear it even lower with a larger rear sprocket.... the clutch needs full throtttle/off the throttle input(s) or it will burn up, you cant really half throttle them unfortunately. As for the brakes they either work or they dont... good idea to scuff up the surfaces really well to get rid of any glazing then adjust it so it JUST BARELY drags. That should help get the most braking power available with what you have.