New member, old kart, need some help please

[FurFlyin]

I bought my kids a well worn go kart. It is a Carter, with a 10 HP Tecumseh engine. When I got the kart it needed some TLC. I replaced the carburetor, plug and changed the oil. The engine is now running like a champ. I had to drop the rear axle to replace both brake drums and straps. They were completely gone. I had to cut the bearings off the axle with a torch so it go an all new set. Yesterday they got to ride it for quite a while and the drive on the torque converter locked engaged. This afternoon I took the torque converter apart and cleaned it. I had never seen a torque converter until I bought this go kart. I watched a youtube video on how to disassemble one and clean it. When I got this one apart, it didn't look like the one in the video. It is a Comet, and I know it's not a 30 series since they have the one flat side. I thought it was a 20 series and it may be, but maybe it's a 40? How do I know? The insides of the TC don't look like the insides of the Comet 20 that was on the youtube video. I also have doubts that the belt that is on the kart is the correct size or belt. How do I know what length belt goes on the kart? I used my floor jack to pick up the rear of the cart and run it so I could watch the torque converter. The belt will not climb all the way to the "top" of the drive pulley, nor go all the way down into the driven pulley.

The go kart is an off road style. We live on a farm so that's all great. I rode beside my son yesterday and the go kart maxed out at 20 mph. I figured that a go kart with a 10 hp motor would go faster than 20 mph.

Also, the two pulleys aren't lined up. What kind of spacer can I put on the engine shaft to get the drive pulley further from the motor?

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum!! Have a look at these links for TC identification.

Comet identification, installation and belts. Sprocket and spring changes
http://www.gokartsupply.com/identify.htm
http://www.gokartsupply.com/tcbelts.htm
http://www.bmikarts.com/PDF/Comet_40series.pdf
http://www.key-ideas.com/TC-Sprocket-Change.htm

 

[FurFlyin]

Thanks for the reply landuse. That should help me find the belt size.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Welcome to the forum! Maybe put up some pics, specifically the CVT. To space the driver out on the shaft you can use a locking collar, or even a section of pipe or tube that has an appropriate inside diameter.

With that 10hp on there, you probably have a Comet 40. Excellent unit.

 

[FurFlyin]

Yes, I figured out it was a 40. I do not think this is the correct belt and you can see it's out of alignment.

 

[landuse]

That is absolutely the wrong belt, and yes, it is out of alignment. You are going to have to fix up both problems. One reason that you are not getting up to speed is because of the incorrect belt.

 

[FurFlyin]

Thanks for the help and info guys. Now I've got to figure out what size belt to get. I figure I can cut a spacer from tubing to adjust the TC outward.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Look at this chart.

 

[landuse]

Thanks for the help and info guys. Now I've got to figure out what size belt to get. I figure I can cut a spacer from tubing to adjust the TC outward.

A spacer will work fine

Look at this chart.

Yup, it is the last table on the link. You will have to figure out the distance between your driver and driven and then get the correct belt

 

[FurFlyin]

Thanks for all the help. I don't know the size of the sprocket or the tooth count on it. Without those numbers is there any way for you guys to estimate the top end speed on this go kart? Right now it runs about 20 mph, which is definitely fast enough for my 10 year old son. I imagine that the correct belt will allow the cart to run faster which I don't really want but won't the correct belt on the TC put less "stress" on the engine? Or have I got that messed up?

 

[landuse]

Thanks for all the help. I don't know the size of the sprocket or the tooth count on it. Without those numbers is there any way for you guys to estimate the top end speed on this go kart? Right now it runs about 20 mph, which is definitely fast enough for my 10 year old son. I imagine that the correct belt will allow the cart to run faster which I don't really want but won't the correct belt on the TC put less "stress" on the engine? Or have I got that messed up?

Unless we have the sprocket tooth counts, we can unfortunately not give you any gearing or speed information. The correct belt will help your speed

 

[jamyers]

And an incorrect belt won't let the converter work properly, it'll either try and drive at idle or it won't have it's full range of motion / gearing.