Question about 30 Series torque converter on 212 in Carter Hot Bodies

[Cgerard19]

I’m writing to ask how to install the torque converter on a Predator 212 in a Carter Hot Bodies. We’re rebuilding an older Hot Bodies and the axle goes through a tube in the back with two welded on bearing cups. The original setup had a 212 with a regular clutch and a pulley connected to another pulley on a jack shaft.

The other end of said jack shaft had the small chain sprocket, which connected the chain and drive sprocket.

The 30 series torque converter on the 212 has the small chain sprocket on it, but unless I run two chains, I won’t be able to drive the kart. Have any of you encountered this?

Do I need to attach the original pulley that was on the clutch and engine shaft to the driven somehow so I can run another pulley to the jack shaft?

I can’t move the sprocket because the live axle goes through the tube that is underneath the engine.

 

[Denny]

You can’t without a bunch of modifications that involve cutting and welding. That kart was designed and built using a 20 series CVT. Either go back to that or cut the axle tube off and add bearing hangers to put a new live axle in it.

 

[Hellion]

Denny is right. You're making your life more complicated trying to make a 30 series work on that kart, like reinventing the wheel.

Restore the original torque converter setup. This manual (if it is your kart or the same setup) shows you the parts and a very rudimentary exploded parts diagram:: https://www.bmikarts.com/PDF/Carter-Bros/1135.pdf

The axle running inside a hollow axle tube is the beauty of the Carter Brothers karts.

 

[Cgerard19]

Thank you, guys!!! I really appreciate you!!

 

[Cgerard19]

That diagram is perfect. That’s gotta be our kart. I love that it originally had a torque converter. This project got way bigger than I’d anticipated and much faster, but I’ve learned so much already.

 

[milesguy81]

They always get bigger and more $$$ than you think, but its always worth it!

 

[Cgerard19]

They always get bigger and more $$$ than you think, but its always worth it!

It’s funny. I’ve built cars my whole life, but this dang kart is a BLAST to build. I can see where it can get into a pretty intense hobby quick! What are other vintage karts to keep a lookout for?

 

[Denny]

Holy Grail, Rupp anything with the turbine wheels.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

It’s funny. I’ve built cars my whole life, but this dang kart is a BLAST to build. I can see where it can get into a pretty intense hobby quick! What are other vintage karts to keep a lookout for?

Same for me, it got quite intense very quickly. Something about having all the extra room in the garage, for me. Cant really have the kids helping when you barely have room to move around the cars. They can be fully involved with the kart while I still have room to move where I need.

Looks like youre in a similar situation.

 

[Cgerard19]

Very similar. Can you guys tell me how you handled your brake drum situations? I switched wheel sizes and am not using the stock wheel spacer. I got a new sprocket and a new brake drum with the flange for mounting the sprocket, and bmi also told me I needed a mini hub to mount all this to. The problem is, with the Carter karts the axle is through the tube and I don’t know how to mount this because it doesn’t seem the brake drum can get into the friction circle with the mini hub stopping at the bearing cup. Is there a different thread I should be in?

 

[Denny]

No your where you need to be. The problem is you’re trying to use mismatched parts to the kart and axle set up. You either need to do some cutting and welding or go back to completely stock. Because with your set up there is no middle ground.

 

[Hellion]

Wow that looks like a motorcycle sprocket (post 10).

What are other vintage karts to keep a lookout for?

Vintage fun karts or yard karts is what I'd suggest from these makers (in no particular order): Manco, Manco (Sears), Ken Bar, Murray, Carter Brothers, Clark, Brister's Thunderkarts, Bird Engineering, Yerf-dog to name a few.

Just keep searching on Craigslist and Failbook Marketplace and buy them cheap and stack them deep. Can often get a rolling frame sans motor or a non-running motor for $100-$250 depending. Some people "just need gone" and will often accept any reasonable offer well below their often (super optimistic/looking for a sucker) high asking price.

If you're going after real vintage karts with value, then they're sort of collectors items and something you'd just want for the man cave, not to run. Things like Rupp, Rupp/Dart Kart, Bug, Go Kart (brand), Margay, McCulloch, Fox, Lancer (Rupp), Rathmann, Simplex, Percival.....