Predator 224 - Chain keeps popping off

[Craig.andrews1818]

Hey Guys - I just swapped the engine on my Manko kart with a predator 224 engine. I have a comet 30 series torque converter, same as before. I had an old tecumseh engine previously. I am having an issue where the chain keeps popping off now. Any suggestions on what might be the issue. I have the torque converter set to the tightest spring setting. I am wondering if I have too much tension on the chain? Chain is well oiled etc. when I lift the back wheels off the group and run the kart, the chain does not pop off with the throttle. When I go to actually drive the kart, the chain pops off within a couple short
Minutes of running. Any suggestions would be awesome! Happy to send pictures as well, just let me know what you would like to see.

 

[bullseye670]

Your sprockets don't sound aligned. Main reason for a chain poping off. Try to put a straight edge one of the sprockets to align them. Reason it only happens when you're driving it is because of the tension being applied to it then.

 

[Craig.andrews1818]

I will send a picture. They do seem to be aligned. Could it be because the torque converter belt is not perfectly aligned? This never happened with the old engine. So very confused.

 

[Craig.andrews1818]

Here are some pics….

 

[bullseye670]

Good afternoon. They look pretty good, from what I see. I am assuming your chain is tight. Torque converter not being aligned shouldn't be affecting the chain. Maybe a sprocket is loose? I would suggest you remove the chain and lay it on the ground. Make sure it's still straight. If it got twisted somehow, that could mess things up. I'm just trying to think of things for you.

 

[Craig.andrews1818]

I think unfortunately either the back sprocket is bent or the actual axel….. turning into a bigger issue than I thought. When you spin the back wheels when they are off the ground you can see that sprocket/axle swaying…. Trying to figure out which one it is….. I don’t think videos post on here, so no way to show you right?

 

[Master Hack]

Put yer video on Utube or the like. Post the link here.

 

[panchothedog]

Do you own a dial indicator. Very easy to track which one is off. I hate to sound like a darn advertisement for Harbor Freight, but the one I bought a few years back was only about $ 15 and included the magnetic stand. With the price of a new sprocket being more, and the price of new axle being substantially more, it could be worth looking into. Help you zero in on which part is bent.

 

[bullseye670]

Dail indicator would be great but I don't think you need that. If you can see it wooble, I think you found your problem. I've had bent axles, but that never caused a chain issue. I think a bent axle will cause the wheel to wooble, but I don't think the middle portion of the axle would be bent. If you end up replacing the axle, I'd suggest getting a round one from gopowersports. That's where I've purchased mine in the past. You'll need new bearings to match the round axle. Same with the sprocket. Actually, I'm not sure of your wheels will allow a round axle. I've never dealt with those hex axles. Brake rotor too.
That's too much stuff. They have hex axles at gopowersports.com
also.

 

[panchothedog]

If you go to a round axle ( not a bad idea ) you will have to change everything. Bearings, sprocket hub, brake disc hub, and wheels. All of those parts of your kart are manufactured to fit the hexagon shaped axle. You will spend quite a bit of money changing all of that. Hopefully it's just a bent sprocket. If the axle is bent, it would be a lot more cost effective to just get a new hex axle. As mentioned by bullseye, GPS carriers that axle.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

I've straightened bent axles on a hydrolic press. Not that hard.

 

[Denny]

I've straightened bent axles on a hydrolic press. Not that hard.

Are those presses different then hydraulic presses?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Hydro-lick.. Powered by spit.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Are those presses different then hydraulic presses?

Then≠than

Hydro=liquid
Hydra was a multi head monster.

English is hard.

 

[Master Hack]

Where the grammer police whan ya nead thim?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

 

[Denny]

No, I used then correctly. Meaning back when he did it.