NEWBIE: Rebuild project (Carter)

[chrisinhou]

Greetings,

I'm a total newbie so your mercy is truly appreciated. I'm a (relatively) handy guy .. more inclined to deal with electronics and woodworking before I mess with a vehicle. We found this abandoned cart we found behind a run in shed from the previous tenants of our house. I would truly appreciate any advice/help on what I need to buy and tips on rebuilding this thing to running status.

So here's what I know about the cart in it's glory days:
- It's a retail cart made by Carter; model is "Hot Bodies"
- It has had a recall because the rear axle is exposed
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml97/97061.html
.. I hope that doesn't mean it'll be difficult for me to find the right engine/config to drive the axle.

It's current status (besides rusting and gettin rained on):
- Engine, battery have been sitting there.. I assume it's toast. If not, I'm not gonna invest the time to try and fix the engine.
- Body seems fine and sound
- Tires are flat and the rubber is worn. I would not trust using them. would like knobby tread anyway. I'm hoping to salvage the rims though.
- Steering mechanism works and seems to be sound (although you'll notice in the pic that one of the rods is bent and on the other end it had rubbed the frame a little).
- Gas pedal/lever works; springs look good.
- Brake pedal/lever works; engages the brake "straps" on each wheel. Probably want to replace the straps since they are a bit rusted.

So, here's what I think I need (and yes, I'm cheap):
* the cheapo Harbor Freight engine ($99 coupon special); the 6.5hp greyhound (horizontal shaft/OHV)
-- related accessories to mount the engine and drive the rear axle
* set of tires that will fit the rims we have now
* replacement brake straps
* a comfy seat

Is this a sufficient shopping list to get this cart going? What else will I need? Again, thanks to anyone that even looked at this and is willing to offer any advice/feedback!

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

That engine appears to be a vertical shaft lawn mower engine, could you take a few more pics of the rear end? someone may have rigged that engine up with a small RAGB or transmission (although it looks like its just sitting there). Your list seems fine, those tie rods can be easily unbent in a vice. Thats a pretty cool looking kart too, I'm sure your son will have a blast.

 

[chrisinhou]

here you go (man that engine is heavier than it looks):

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Like i thought, it is just sitting there. That engine probably wont be of much use, a clone would work fine though. If the tires hold air i would leave them until you get it up and running, then get tires if you still want.

It looks like this kart originally had a jackshaft, maybe for a torque converter. In order to run a normal clutch you will either have to buy bearings and some keyed shaft and set up a jackshaft, or weld new motor mounts where the jackshaft mounts were.

 

[Kart builder39]

yeah a clone engine with a 30s tav will work great ,you and your son will have alot of fun ,i have two of the same karts *_* good luck p.s. your jack shaft is missing

 

[NJOHC]

http://www.bmikarts.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=168
The Tav kits are sold out. But they still have the driver and driven units sold seperately. With the clone engine a 30 series is what you'll want. You'll really get the most out of it with that. And I know how your son feels wanting to get that kart done so he can ride! Im 14 and have to push my dad to help me out. He's never promised me anything! hah