Newbie - Torque Converter Question

[sagegervais]

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a Yerf Dog GoKart for my son and I, with a Predator 212cc engine. While we were out yesterday, the belt snapped (in half - didn’t shred). It appeared to be pretty old, however, after looking at the TC, the pulleys don’t line up. Is this from an improper install? Or is it possibly the wrong TC? It drives ok but it definitely feels like the TC doesn’t always want to release when stopping. Also - is there a simple way to make the brakes better? I adjusted the cables and that helped but I’m thinking they’re just old and tired? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[J.S.@SMS]

Oh yeah, that's got to be the worst alignment I've ever seen. You'll probably have to cut down the spacer behind the driven pulley (the one on the jackshaft). Could you get a pic looking at the pulley and jackshaft from behind the engine (looking forward) so we can see how much the pulley can be moved over?

And could you get a pic of the brakes? You might be able to clean up the pads/band with some sandpaper, I use 80 grit and it works pretty well. That should help with the brakes a bit, but if the cables are worn out they'll stretch, and you won't get as much braking power as you should. And at that point they'll have to be replaced. But it would help to know if it has disk or band brakes.

 

[sagegervais]

Thank you for the quick reply. It is definitely band brakes. I was thinking about converting to disc, but I will try out the sandpaper first.

The pulley area definitely looks tight

 

[sagegervais]

I think I may have found the fix. The bolt for the driver pulley is only 1.5” long rather than 2”. I think if I add a spacer and install a 2” bolt it should be good... if I’m missing something, please let me know.

 

[Brianator]

Sounds like you're on the right track! You want the flat sides (closest to the motor) as lined up with each other as possible. It wouldn't hurt to clean the rust off the pulley inner faces and smooth them out best you can, it aids in belt grip and helps prevent premature belt wear. If I'm remembering correctly I think I used a 2-1/4" long 5/16 x 24tpi plus a washer for my driver as I wanted as much thread engagement as I could get. Dont forget the (blue) threadlocker!

 

[Jhoppe]

Another thing I have seen on here is taking the drive sprocket from behind the driven pulley to the outside. I am going to try it on my yard, but I haven't had the time. Kartfab has a picture of it. But you pull off the driven and sprocket, then reinstall the driven with the sprocket on the outside and that helps with alignment

 

[sagegervais]

I thought about doing that actually. My only concern would be the exposure of the chain. With my little one driving it, I wouldn’t feel too safe with the chain being on the outside. If it was just me, I would just send it haha.

 

[Brianator]

What I did to space my driver clutch outward on my Champion 6.5hp (which is a Honda GX200 clone) to match the driven is I first installed a 3/4" shaft collar. It didn't QUITE get it perfect so I added a very thin shim washer I got at home depot (see picture). It only left about a 1/4" of shaft for the hub to go on after the inner pulley was on but according to everything I read that's fairly normal and I haven't had an issue as of yet. I did make a spacer from the end of another crankshaft which I learned wasn't required but it does help I'm sure. Make sure your bolt is long enough, use blue threadlocker and you should be good! Another option you MAY have is to move the motor over to get better alignment. Keep at it, many others have faced and overcome the same issue

 

[Jhoppe]

This is what I was taking about. (Credit to Kartfab, it is his kart and picture) adding a piece of angle iron as a chain guard wouldn't be very hard to protect little one. Mine is way behind the seats so it isn't an issue.

 

[sagegervais]

That’s interesting. Did he flip the sprocket on the axle?

 

[Jhoppe]

I believe the sprocket will slide that far if you loosen it. You MIGHT have to extend the key way a bit, but I dont think so. I dont remember.

 

[sagegervais]

Well if anyone was interested.... I was trying to copy that sprocket setup. The sprocket is completely seized. I’ve torched it, used lube, you name it. So I’m just buying a new axle lol.