Old Manco restoration project for the summer!

[MidLife]

Here is a "before" shot of the aquisition. A vintage Manco "Corvette". The roll bar has been removed but other wise everything else is stock and intact. The body is long gone, but, we will be restoring the frame and functionality over the next several months! Hopefully. What I have found out so far is the hardest replacement parts to restore this kart are the 6" split aluminum rims.

Front View:

Side View:

Steering Wheel:

Rear View:

Cracked Rim:

I have found the following replacement parts:
Seat
Bearings
Muffler
Throtle Cable
Brake Band
Clutch
Chain
Tubes & Tires
and some other parts.

I need a wheel rim half still.

The frame will undergo a stripping and the spindles will be removed and reworked and all bolts, nuts, washers, etc will be replaced. Engine will be reworked as well.

 

[kendelrk]

treat her good, wire wheel the frame up and give her a nice coat of paint. unless your going with a vintage restore, i say get some Azusa 6" rims and go with those. it looks like what i think to be a genuine honda gx160/200 has been run hard.

 

[MidLife]

In fact, the wire wheel to the frame is today's project!
Have just one more seized bearing to remove before stripping and paint. The engine is a honda, electric ignition that runs, on first pull, however the recoil cover is off and no pull. Need a kill switch and surface prep. Not sure I will take the engine apart at this point. It seems to run and sound okay and no leaks. I am replacing the muffler which is completely rusted off. I wish I could find an aluminum 6" wheel half, but they seem elusive. And I don't have ebay account. I'll check out the ausuza parts, thanks!

 

[kendelrk]

Here's a website with 6" rims http://www.mfgsupply.com/gomini/gominiwheelhubs/gominiwheelhubs6.html

 

[jandj]

If you want Manco rims, check w/Blaz.

 

[MidLife]

Anyone know where to get a muffler for the Honda GX120?
NR-Racing does not take credit cards and I need to order online.
Thanks!

 

[kendelrk]

make a paypal account, it will work out better with all your ordering

 

[MidLife]

It was a nice day so we took it a step further.
Decided to make a statement and went with Regal Red!

Other components will be Gloss Black.
Will probably look for some diamond plate for the floor pan.
OEM seat and original style tires are on order.
The original clutch is a Hilliard model but the locating bushing is gone. There is no set screw or anything to locate it on the output shaft. Can the clutch float free on the shaft?

 

[JDblazer]

The clutch can't float free on the shaft- It will fly off. You can drill and tap a bolt if not already done. It's not too difficult or expensive.

 

[29woody]

Original Manco 58

Here are some photos of my original Manco 58. Enjoy

 

[Orange Krate]

Nice! I'm a Manco man myself

 

[MidLife]

Been trying to find a replacement body. They are kind of expensive!
Thanks for sharing those photos of yours. It also verifies for me that mine is an original as I can see all the similarities.

 

[hogdog]

Hey MidLife, i just joined DIY Karts today and happened to see your posts on your old Manco. Cool project. Ive got a Manco im fixing up also and just happened to see your cracked wheel. Ive got the same wheel but cracked on the other side.Was wondering if you would be interested in selling the whole wheel. If so just let me know and we will work something out. Thanks, Jon

 

[MidLife]

I am trying for a vintage restoration, so no, the wheels will be retained. I am trying to see if they can be rebuilt by a wheel repair shop.

 

[hogdog]

Ok, thats cool. You never know when you might need those extra litl parts. Hey, i did find a place that sells those old manco wheels tho. The web site is "GoPowerSports.com", it says obsolete below the wheels but i called them today and they had them. The wheel,tube and tire all together plus the shipping was $95.00 which is not to bad when you cant find them anywhere, hahahaha. There number is (817-625-2562). They have lots of other parts too, so maybe they can help.

 

[MidLife]

Thanks. I thought they were obsolete and no longer available since that what their website says!
Most sites have the 5" wheel, but, mine are the 6" wheel. Already bought the tubes and tires, so, I need to see if I can restore this wheel!

 

[Blazkowiez]

We've got a small supply of 4, 5, and 6" wheels. Call during business hours and we'll see if we have what you need. As long as its continental US we can do priority shipping. I try not to pimp out sales too much here, but I do see that a few people are having trouble hunting them down at normal prices.

 

[MidLife]

Thanks for the tip.

Here is some progress photos:

Some nifty updates! I was able to obtain OEM seat, OEM brake, OEM muffler & air filter, replaced all hardware with new components, replaced all bearings, tubes and tires, and did a general cleanup of all surfaces, 'cept the engine. Might upgrade the engine, so, a complete overall of that is not going to be completed until a road test of the performance of the stock engine. A replacement chain has been obtained and most all moving parts cleaned and rebuilt.
Two questions that remain for me, and that is the threading of the output shaft of the engine (Honda GX120). I need to fit a bolt to retain the clutch but I don't know if the crankshaft is tapped for a bolt or not and I don't know the thread if it is. Anyone know?
The other question I had was the toe-in or toe-out setting for go karts? This modle has adjustable tie rods but I don't know the specs for either a toe-in or toe-out. Thanks!

Next acquisition is an OEM throttle cable and chain guard.

Front detail showing OEM seat!

Steering Detail showing new hardware and repainted parts.

Wheel/Tire Detail. Note cracked wheel half I need to replace!

Engine detail. New muffler, air filter and recoil rope assembly.

Hope to do some initial road tests in the next couple weeks.

 

[kendelrk]

nice work, but i do have a question. why buy another stock exhaust when you could have build or bought an aftermarket one ?

 

[MidLife]

It's a stock rebuild. I guess I could have put on a straight pipe, but I am looking for quiet before performance!