Old Buggy - New Build

[Slo-Poke]

Hi, I’m the new guy; at least one of them. The chassis and engine was free from the in-laws which they picked up on the cheap. I think it’s a Chinese buggy but the Brake drum parts say “Made in Japan”. I suppose it’s possible that whoever tinkered with this thing, or possibly built it, may have added some aftermarket parts.

Lots of rust but I've already sanded and used a few rattle cans for primer and finished with a metallic silver. Anyway, is it normal for the rear bolt pattern (4x137) to be different from the front bolt pattern (4x110)? The rims are definitely on the lower end of the scale.

The engine is a Predator 346cc/11HP but if I can figure out how to move the sprocket (blow torch to loosen it?) I will purchase one of those Powerland PD420 electric start engines, otherwise I’m feeling a bit stuck at this juncture because the sprocket is tight. I removed the set screws (2).

First build ever as the career and life came first so any comments or help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mckutzy]

Hello and welcome.
Polish up the shaft on both sides. Remove the key if you can.. Slowly heat the sprocket hub and keep the torch moving. Once it's hot(NOT RED HOT... but enough to smoke oil in an instant), see if you can get it to move or twist. Might need to tap it a few times to loosen up.
Once it's broken free... Let it cool in air slowly...

 

[Slo-Poke]

Thank you mckutzy! That's where I was going next but I was hoping that if I sat in my recliner long enough, it would loosen itself.

 

[chancer]

If you use a good quality penetrating oil. NOT WD40. You can spray it a couple times a day for a week. and it will "loosen itself while you sit in your recliner"

 

[landuse]

Welcome.

 

[Denny]

It looks like a nice home built buggy. Once you heat up the sprocket melt some candle wax in there.

Denny

 

[mckutzy]

Oh ya the candle trick works good I hear...
Just touch a stub to the joint... It'll melt into the joint and loosen it up.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Welcome. Nice buggy, looks like this will be a fun rebuild.

 

[Slo-Poke]

Sprocket is loose and the TC has been ordered so I finished with the primer and metallic silver paint. Helps the psyche when working on this thing.





A picture of the TC:


If I can get comfortable with the gear ratio and the axle spinning, I will order new rims and tires. 3 of the 4 tires are rotten and split and the rims are beat up pretty badly.

 

[Slo-Poke]

A little bit of work but the TC is installed.

 

[Hellion]

You do quality work, Slo-Poke. But taking time is the best way to go.

The buggy looks massive, like a VW powered sand rail but looks can be deceiving I guess. How long and wide is it?

 

[Slo-Poke]

Engine in place but not mounted:



Rough-in of the alignment:



Current Sprocket - Torque Converter Sprocket Alignment:


Hoping someone with far better mechanical engineering and geometry skills than me can tell me whether my current Sprocket-Torque Converter Sprocket alignment above is appropriate or if I should change its positioning.

The specs:

Tires: (R) 22x11-10 (F) 21x8-9
Wheelbase: 82"
Track: 44"
Clearance: (R) 11" (F) 6.5"

 

[chancer]

The buggy looks massive, like a VW powered sand rail but looks can be deceiving I guess.

That engine looks tiny in there!

But the sprocket alignment looks normal to me as is.
My vast knowledge of looking at Kart pics on the forum! lol

 

[Slo-Poke]

Update

During the course of sanding, primer and paint I named the buggy "The Tin Man". Childish but whatever. Anyway, I took him out for a spin and he ran very fast; much faster than I was expecting from an unmodified Predator 346cc pushing a 500 lb buggy. Unfortunately the belt burned up and I think the Driver is shot. The chain is still in place.

Here are the specs on the gearing:

Clutch Sprocket: 12T
Main Sprocket: 70T
Chain: #35

Here's a picture immediately after install:



Here's a picture after the carnage:



It appears the driver floated. The clutch plate seems solid as does the Driven. Need to look at the Driver (repair if possible but doubt it) and replace it; add some spacers and try it again. Unfortunately it may take a few days to order a new Driver if I need one.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

I think you've got too much engine for that model TC.

 

[Slo-Poke]

I think you've got too much engine for that model TC.

I also thought the TC might not be robust enough for the engine so I asked the seller and they said, "Some of our customers have successfully installed this on Predator 420CC. So, with knowledge about set-up and correct gearing ratio, it can handle bigger hp."

 

[Eric87]

You need a 40 series TC.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I also thought the TC might not be robust enough for the engine so I asked the seller and they said, "Some of our customers have successfully installed this on Predator 420CC. So, with knowledge about set-up and correct gearing ratio, it can handle bigger hp."

Yeah, that's the fake 40 series I see on Amazon member's post from time to time.

I would not run it on such a heavy buggy with that engine.

But I like your buggy! I have a Powerland engine waiting to go into something very similar I have only built in my mind thus far.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Yeah, I have a Powerland engine waiting to go into something very similar I have only built in my mind thus far.

Dang!!!! That must be a very small buggy! (Or it wouldn't fit!)

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Dang!!!! That must be a very small buggy! (Or it wouldn't fit!)

My mind is a crowded place