Picked up a Manco Magnum need a little help

[shake this]

Picked this kart up the other day but need a little help clearing up some minor (I hope) issues.

First the cart has no torque. I know the 6.5 Tecumseh is on the small side for a full suspension kart but really? It won't even spinn the tires a little in dirt. It will get up to speed but it doesn't ever feel like it "shifts" from low to high.

2nd problem is it tries to engage at idle, bad enough that I must set the brake or have someone in the kart before starting, can't seem to find a idle screw.

3rd and finel problem, the engine will cut out going over rough terain. It's like the engine will go to idle and the belt disengages although there is nothing wrong with the throttle. I've also noticed that gas will run out of the air intake on the carb to a point that it will saturate the air filter and cause the engine to die. I'm thinking a good cleaning might solve the last two problems.

Thought on all this as this is the 1st tc kart of us and my daughter really hopes we can get it ready. As of now, she likes her smaller Carter much better

 

[shake this]

Couple of pictures of the TC

 

[landuse]

That is a really nice kart. Sorry that I can't help with the TC though. Maybe post all the sprocket tooth counts so that others know what you got

 

[qtband]

First off, find what kind of TC it is. It should be marked. Google it and get the exact spacing from the center of the crankshaft to the center of the jackshaft. Make sure that measurement is accurate.
Second, remove the drive clutch (on the engine) and clean everything up. I would even take a wire wheel to the inside surfaces where the belt rides. You will find a bronze sleeve between the pulley's. Make sure it is clean and rotates freely on the crankshaft. If your spacing is correct and the sleeve is free, it shouldn't engage at idle.
Third, sounds to me like the floats are sticking and the engine is getting flooded. I would remove the carburetor and give it a thorough cleaning. While I was at it, I would stop at a lawn mower repair shop and get a new needle and seat.
Try this and let us know how it works out. It's a nice kart!

 

[shake this]

I believe it's a Comet 30 series from the info I can find online, it's also stamped withe the comet name. Off to start the cleaning process. Will post up later today. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[shake this]

Well, the day started off Promising. Pulled the carb apart and gave it a good cleaning. Pulled both sides of the TC apart and cleaned them up. Noticed that the spring was in the number one hole so I was able to move it over to the number two position. Got everything put back together and took her back out for a spin. Seemed to have a little more torque but still nowhere near what I think it should.

Still was having problems with the clutch engaging so I put it up on jack stands, was getting tired of playing tug-o-war with it. At some point during the tuning processes, the crew screw came out of the butterfly and the engine went full throttle. So glad I had it on jack stands. Can't find the screw but had another so got the butterfly back on but now I can't get the engine to fire back up. It will backfire but won't fire up. I'm really thinking about throwing the clone I have on it and messing with the engine when I have some extra time. Still very concerned with the lack it torque.

 

[bighead]

Confirm you have the right belt? Thats why you measure center to center and the clutch size. Then find the Comet belt chart and confirm your belt.

 

[shake this]

From center of shaft to center of shaft is 6 3/4". I'll measure the clutch face and see if I'm correct about it being a 30 style

 

[B.M.800]

I believe it is a comet 30, asymetrical right? Arnt the 20s symetrical?
You say you have a clone? I would put that on there and fix the Tec later...

 

[shake this]

Yes it's asymetrical and yes I have a clone (with the blue tank) still in the box just begging to go into something. Guess I could swap it over and see if that helps my torque issue as well. However, I still think it might be in the TC setup. Yesterday I took it down the street and never could get it to hit the governor.

 

[shake this]

The more I read up on the TC the more I think I'm starting to understand it. It's really a pretty basic design once you get a visual on how it works.

So I think I've narrowed part of the problem down to two possible or related issues. 1st, I don't think the green spring was properly pre-loaded. I know it wasn't when I changed the position from the number 1 hole to the number 2 hole and it didn't seem to have much force when I moved it.

2nd, is it possible that the spring & flyweights assembly might be worn thus causing the pulley from disengaging? This might be why the kart wants to move forward even when I've adjusted the idle. Could it also cause the TC to move into high range speed to quick and be the cause of my missing torque?