Silver Fox and a Bald Guy

[panchothedog]

Kill switch: put one on your parking brake handle if you wish. BUT PUT one on the steering wheel or in very close proximity to the driver. ESPECIALLY with kids when they are on their own. It is the most important safety device on the kart. Sticking throttles are something that CAN happen. A toggle switch that you can knock down with one quick hand movement as opposed to a button that needs to be held in for a second or two, to completely kill the engine.

 

[ct_racer]

You need a 40 series torque converter for that engine

I already have on in my shopping cart. Just holding off until I get the engine out of the box and inspected.

Your front tires look fine as tread is concerned. Even if they are dry cracked,

Yeah, that's kind of what I figure. My take is, if I can get a couple years out of them while I get the rest of the kart in order, and figure out the long term plans, I won't feel too bad in a couple of years spending a little more on a set of square knobbies. I only paid $30 for the set of 4, so I'm pretty happy with the deal, and where they're at.

I think I've got a solution for the hubs figured out that only needs minor milling work. First steps right now are going to be getting the brakes back in working order, finish the steering, and get it back on the ground. Then figure out the engine. Once it's drivable, I'll pick up the hubs I need to get this set of wheels on.

BUT PUT one on the steering wheel or in very close proximity to the driver

Really solid advice. I know there's a switch on the dash I can use, but something closer to natural hand position is more than just a good idea. I'll get something figured out there.


Should have some actual progress updates on it soon.

 

[ct_racer]

Finally making some good progress. The front suspension is back on, and I've finished building the steering pivot with the kids. We're painting it now, so we should be able to get that mounted in the next week or so. I've got new hiem joints for between the pitman arm and the pivot as well.

These are my first welds, and they're not pretty. I got the part cleaned up enough to be functional and solid at least. It feels smooth on the shoulder bolt even without being greased. It'll be good to get this painted, and the front end back on the ground.

 

[ct_racer]

Also moved the master cylinder bracket so the seat is adjustable again. I need to plumb the new brake lines for it yet, and then fill/bleed the system. I also need to setup a linkage to the pedal.

With it being closer to the pedal I can't depend as much on the slop of the linkage rod as when the mount was closer to the rear, so it will need to be a little more solid of a setup. I'm thinking a turnbuckle and couple of eye bolts to be able to get some adjustability as well.

 

[ct_racer]

More slow progress made on the kart. Finished the mount tabs for the handbrake lever. This should complete the frame mods I'm planning on. I got a couple of coats of primer on this morning. The frame should be painted by the end of the weekend.

I also went through the rear axle, and while I was in there, I added a second rotor for the handbrake. I still need to fabricate a bracket for the caliper, but after getting the rotor situated I want to wait until I see the engine on the swingarm to make sure I don't have any interference issues. Should be plenty of space, but I don't want to have to rework something either.

Tonight should be the big night. I need to get the swingarm mounted back up, but I'm planning to unbox the motor with the kids tonight, and set it in place. Not ready for starting, but I should be able to finish my parts list, and get a lot of what I need ordered/know what I need to run to the hardware store for.

I'll get the caliper bracket mocked up, and hopefully built in the next few days as well.

 

[Hellion]

Neat and tidy work. I think your welds look high quality even if (maybe) they are not those artsy fartsy ones that look like a stack of overlapping crescent moons in a row. That hydraulic brake setup looks nice and compact and fitting for the application—don’t see that too often

 

[ct_racer]

Thanks! I'm happy with it so far. I've been learning a lot from the small amounts I've used the welder so far. I figure there's a time and a place to practice those pretty welds, but adding to the structural frame isn't that time or place. I've already burned enough holes I've needed to booger-fill to try to worry about the appearance of these ones. Practical is all this application calls for, and I think I managed that here at least.

I like the application of handbrake too; it feels pretty good in that spot from both seats. I'm looking forward to fab and paint being finished so I can get it all buttoned together.

 

[ct_racer]

Making some steady progress. Told the kids in April it'd be ready by the end of summer... which it now is, so I'm trying for driving by Labor Day.

Handbrake caliper mount is fabricated, and now primer is drying. I've got primer on the frame over all the changes there. I still need to make some shims for the brake pads, but that feels like nothing after working with plate steel the last couple of days.

The engine was in to make sure on the clearance of the caliper; shouldn't be any issues there. The torque converter arrived yesterday. I'm planning to start setting that up tomorrow morning. While the paint dries, I'll get the engine in and running, and driving the axle. I can't finish brakes until the paint has cured for a bit, but that should hopefully be all that is left after the next week or so.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

but that feels like nothing

Lol shouldnt have said that...

 

[ct_racer]

Lol shouldnt have said that...

This is how I always get myself, lol

 

[ct_racer]

I'm setting up the torque converter this morning, and after verifying I need to install the driven outboard I went to buy a yellow spring. After looking at the image of the yellow spring, and comparing it with my spring, I think mine is already reverse wound (though it is red). When comparing to an image of an actual comet red spring, I think that my spring is the opposite of the comet red one.

Here is an image of my driven with the spring, I'm hoping someone could maybe do a verification of what I'm thinking with this.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

I'm setting up the torque converter this morning, and after verifying I need to install the driven outboard I went to buy a yellow spring. After looking at the image of the yellow spring, and comparing it with my spring, I think mine is already reverse wound (though it is red). When comparing to an image of an actual comet red spring, I think that my spring is the opposite of the comet red one.

Here is an image of my driven with the spring, I'm hoping someone could maybe do a verification of what I'm thinking with this.

Is it one that came with the plate? Those usually come with a reverse red.


EDIT: Heres mine. Reverse wound red.

 

[ct_racer]

Is it one that came with the plate?

Yes it is. That's good to know. Looks like I won't need to wait on ordering the spring after all. Should same be some time.

Thanks for letting me know!

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

This is the direction of rotation for this spring set up.

 

[ct_racer]

Thanks again for the confirmation. I've lubed everything up, and have the engine back on the kart. Trying to figure out placement and fitment of everything right now. Out of time for the day, but hoping I should have everything mounted up in the next couple of days or so.

Paint is going on the frame tomorrow, which will really start to make it feel like it's coming together.

 

[ct_racer]

Not much completed progress, but the project is moving along. I've got one week left to get this all ready, and I'm still a bit further off than I'd like to be. I was really struggling with getting everything lined up in the frame. Turns out it matters that this wasn't ever meant to hold a big block, so it's not as bolt in as I'd assumed it would be when I started.

I think I've got engine placement figured out, along with some clearance/interference issues with the torque converter, intake, exhaust and the frame. I need to move the motor forward quite a bit and to the right, so I'll need to put new holes in the mount plate on the swing arm. I also need to raise the motor about an inch to get the belt to clear the primary brake caliper. The photos have everything roughly mocked up.

I'm going to build some temporary wood spaces so I can finish the setup while I fabricate some risers, and get them painted and drying. This should let me get everything up and running, aligned, and all that, even if it shouldn't be driven until the wood blocks are replaced with steel ones.

 

[ct_racer]

One other thing I noticed in my mockup. I think I assembled the driver pulley wrong, and the belt is sitting fully on the spacer, not touching the walls at all. Anyone have any quick insight on this that I should look at to get it working properly?

 

[panchothedog]

Belt location looks right on. Once the clutch gets spinning and the sheeves start closing, it will all work out.

 

[ct_racer]

Belt location looks right on. Once the clutch gets spinning and the sheeves start closing, it will all work out.

Good to know that needs to happen yet. I read something too about it can look like this if it hasn't been torqued to the crankshaft. I haven't bolted it down yet, as I've been working through fitment of everything, and want everything removable still.

I should have final fitment done tonight. I'm almost done with the mount plate modifications. The steel for the risers, and exhaust manifold should be here at some point today. I'll get everything setup, and good, then pull the risers to paint them, and swap in the temp wood risers so I can get everything running and operational while that paint cures.

Going to be down to the wire with only a week to go, but hopefully I start seeing some light at the end of the tunnel after tonight.