Project for 9yr old and I.

[Chop]

Shopping for a mig now. I think I'm going to pick up a Lincoln Weld Pak 180HD, I was weighing the benefits of a 110v vs 220v, I think a 220 is the way to go. I have a 2200lb towable BBQ smoker that is 3/16" thick and 1/4" thick in areas that if ever needed to be repaired I could do it with no problems. Thoughts?

Oh, I have all parts saved on my bench now too.

 

[malodin]

i have the lincoln weld pak 180hd and love it, get gas for it and run solid core wire and it will be wonderful, it is usable with the flux core but much better with gas. i use an .035 tip for most everything, on B setting it will burn through 3/16 wall tubing if I do not pay attention but welds best for that size tubing on B just have to pay close attention and let the weld pool cool if it starts to burn through.

 

[colestreasures]

Oh, I have all parts saved on my bench now too.

yeah I have a old 110 snap on with gas does everything I need , but I'm not welding anything as thick as you have on your smoker either. Sounds like you have plenty of welder there now.
Cole

 

[Chop]

Thought I would add a few pics of the kart and some of the things I need to fix. There are some nasty welds on this thing.

If you notice something and have a suggestion I'm all ears as this is the first kart I've ever worked on.

Progress in parts removed and paint removal.

General side pic.

Homemade engine plate......

I beat this steering shaft/pitman arm trying to get it separated assuming it was splined. I'll probably have to use a cutoff wheel. I guess worst case is cut the welds and weld a new shaft housing (?) on the frame.

Throttle cable guide on right side of frame......

The rear axle that was "repaired" at some point, I will be cutting this one off and welding a new one on.

Again, any suggestions that anybody has don't be bashful, I will take all of them into consideration. I plan on replacing pretty much EVERYTHING. I definitely will have questions as this project progresses!

 

[Denny]

While you are at it replace that engine mount plate. I have no idea what they were trying to achieve with that mess.

Denny

 

[Chop]

Definitely getting replaced. For only $10 I'm not sure why anybody would do that.

 

[Rickracer]

If your plan is a live axle, it will be much different anyway. You'll need to cut that one off/out, and weld on some bearing hangers.

 

[Chop]

I thought I was going with a live axle at first but based on where and how he will be riding it a dead axle actually suits us better, I think I will put a slightly wider one on it though. I could always change it to a live axle later if needed.

 

[colestreasures]

While it's out would be a great opportunity to go live axle, throw some larger tires on the rear too it will go alot better off the hard surfaces. JMO oh do you know what brand 2 seater that is you have in your first pics ? I have one just like it I'm rebuilding now. Just wondering.
Cole

 

[Chop]

While it's out would be a great opportunity to go live axle, throw some larger tires on the rear too it will go alot better off the hard surfaces. JMO oh do you know what brand 2 seater that is you have in your first pics ? I have one just like it I'm rebuilding now. Just wondering.
Cole

I thought live axle was the way to go, now I think dead is the way to go, I'm on the fence I guess. I've never redone a kart and certainly have never converted one to a live axle, I'm not really sure how it would need to be setup. A live axle would definitely let me go with a wider track in the rear to give it a nice look though. Hmmmm.....

That pic was a Craigslist pic from the seller of this kart, it isn't mine.

 

[Rickracer]

The wider the track width, (with a live axle), the more difficult to turn, because the farther apart the rear tires are, the more "leverage" they have over the front ones, this is even compounded more with wider tires, the wider the worse. It's not a problem when you have enough power ,(and skill), to "steer with the throttle", but I've run into an instance where I had to switch to a smaller rear tire to get the kart to turn well on the track, (not enough power). You could make a wider track with dead axles as long as you're willing to run a jackshaft, or run a "live axle" on just one side, but then, what's the point? Traction? The "look"? If it's truly for a child, and they don't ride on rough, "off-road" surfaces, a single side is definitely safer. The best all-around solution would be a differential, and they are available....hope I haven't taken this too far off topic...

 

[colestreasures]

It's true it will be harder to steer with a live axle a big tires, but alot of fun but the 9 year old depending on the child's size and ability , true one wheel pull smaller tires might be the way to go. I don't know what type of place your 9 yr old will be actually riding either. So yes several things to take into consideration.
You can run a decent size tire on the back with a one wheel pull and still go pretty good for a beginner also. Myself i would never put big tires for looks , its all about performance and drivability. IMHO
Cole

 

[Chop]

He will be riding mostly on the street, my neighborhood ends in cul-de-sacs at every street. I have a large backyard that he used to make laps in with his 4-wheeler, I'm sure he will do the same with this but street riding mostly. He has absolutely zero experience riding a kart. I really think I'm going to leave it a single pull axle for now.

I ordered a steering package but upgraded the tie rods. I'll get this fitted and move on to the rear axle and throttle/brake setup next.

Here is the steering package: http://gokartgalaxy.com/steering_wheels_&_accessories.htm Hopefully this is ok for a yard kart with an inexperienced rider and an inexperienced kart mechanic! I'll have to shorten the steering shaft and weld the pitman arms on but it should be perfect for what I need.

 

[Rickracer]

Looks like a good start,

 

[colestreasures]

He will be riding mostly on the street, my neighborhood ends in cul-de-sacs at every street. I have a large backyard that he used to make laps in with his 4-wheeler, I'm sure he will do the same with this but street riding mostly. He has absolutely zero experience riding a kart. I really think I'm going to leave it a single pull axle for now.

I ordered a steering package but upgraded the tie rods. I'll get this fitted and move on to the rear axle and throttle/brake setup next.

Here is the steering package: http://gokartgalaxy.com/steering_wheels_&_accessories.htm Hopefully this is ok for a yard kart with an inexperienced rider and an inexperienced kart mechanic! I'll have to shorten the steering shaft and weld the pitman arms on but it should be perfect for what I need.

Your doing the right thing with leaving it one wheel without big tires, not needed anyway with the type riding he's going to be doing, he will enjoy it like your doing it, and yes the steering parts your going to us will be perfect for your build. JMO
Cole

 

[Chop]

This kart has an axle that is too narrow, it has been replaced by some hack in the past. What is the best way to figure out what width axle I need? I believe it is a Manco kart but do not know the model number. Is there a fairly standard width axle on these? It is a dead axle kart.