Newbie from Texas, First Kart

[3PumpChump]

Hola! My name is Troy and live in the greater Austin Area of Texas. I just picked an older kart and am really enjoying the hobby so far. I bought what I think to be a Manco American Express thats in need of some love. My plan is to strip it all back, fix some welds/rust then "street-ify" it with some nice wheels/tires and a lightly modded Predator Engine. Here are some pics

 

[3PumpChump]

I need some help with the wheels and tires, can someone point me in the right direction, I'm not exactly sure on what will work best for this kart.Was also thinking it may need a new axel thats a bit longer?

 

[firemanjim]

Yep, American Express..... very good kart.
Pretty sure you can get slicks to fit the front wheels. Why would you need to get a wider rear axle? What diameter is it? How long?

 

[Hursty]

Nice Cart

 

[3PumpChump]

Thanks guys!

What Tire size/ sprocket/ clutch should i be running on this cart? I would like to use the predator 212cc

 

[firemanjim]

Run the same as what you currently have. What do you have? Like a 12" tall tire? Count the teeth on the clutch you have and axle sprocket. There is no need in changing them unless they are damaged. Modding the Predator will get you more power and rpms. Then you can play with the gear ratio to get a little more top end. You just don't want to go drastic with it.......

 

[Poboy kartman]

Welcome to the forum....please fill out a profile location.....we like to keep an eye on crazy Texans....

 

[chancer]

Welcome to the forum....please fill out a profile location.....we like to keep an eye on crazy Texans....

Yeah it is hard not to. on this forum we are surrounded by crazy Texans! and 1 Poboy
The first post said the "greater Austin" area. Greater than what??

 

[3PumpChump]

My friend just picked this one up yesterday on the cheap.

I'm in NW Austin BTW live right by the Mansfield Dam

 

[firemanjim]

That's gonna be a lot of fun.....

 

[Poboy kartman]

The first post said the "greater Austin" area. Greater than what??

Wherever Jim. lives....

 

[landuse]

Welcome!

 

[chancer]

Welcome I already asked bebopboy, and he had a solid answer, sooo. What is up with your screen name. My wife tells me that is an insult in most circles. Keep in mind this is a PG rated forum.

 

[firemanjim]

Wherever Jim. lives....

Nah, Austin peoples are just weird..... (sorry Robert... )

Welcome I already asked bebopboy, and he had a solid answer, sooo. What is up with your screen name. My wife tells me that is an insult in most circles. Keep in mind this is a PG rated forum.

Yeah, I wouldn't be using that as my screen name, or in public for that matter.....

 

[3PumpChump]

Check out the progress I've made so far..

I stripped the entire kart down to bare metal, removed and replaced rusty sections like the belly pan and seat supports. Used some extra paint I found in my garage, replaced the entire rear end with a drift trike kit I found at OMB warehouse along with a disc brake kit that I added. Then came the predator:way: Removed the governor immediately and drove it like that for a few days. Then got the RLV pipe, bored carb,bigger jet & emulsion tube, advanced timing, Arc intake, Arc flywheel, and racing plug. I'd like to get a black mamba cam, springs,ratio rockers, and P&P my head in the next few weeks.

What clutch would you guys recommend using, Mongrel?

 

[OzFab]

Don't know about a clutch but I would recommend a billet conrod in the mix...

Sweet looking kart, looks almost as good as mine