Skeptical but open minded

[Medo82]

Okay, here goes, I got a short shaft issue on my brand new Predator 224 motor inside this 3200 yerf dog. Sounds personal I know. I've read a few threads already concerning this. I FULLY UNDERSTAND that others run like this. I just need reassurance that less than 5/16ths will be supporting the weighted side of the driver. My question is this... as a former machinist I would like to make a shaft adapter,preferably buy one that i cannot find even on Mcmaster Carr. My idea would work but still not be 100% ideal because I can't machine it it attached to the motor to true it up, so I have seen the shaft adapters that will make my 3/4 into a 1in shaft and give me the length. That would bump me to a 40 series driver. Any big draw backs to this?

 

[Medo82]

Here are some pics!

 

[Medo82]

Also. Moving the motor to the left is not an option. The 7in driven is already riding on the jackshaft gear which is already riding on the jackshaft bearing support. The chain would hit the motor also. I also cannot move the sprocket to the otherside without major fabrication. It would hit the pull cord shroud. Would need to lift the motor way up high and redo the whole jackshat tube because it's short to one side!

 

[Denny]

You’re over thinking things! (See EZ I used the proper you’re) Just use blue Lok-Tite on the center bolt and slap that sucker on.

 

[Medo82]

Okay Canned monster! I'm gonna send it as these youngsters say!

 

[Master Hack]

Make an adaptor! I did for a similar situation. It worked and still does.

 

[Medo82]

Nice work is your extension threaded at the end so it can spin into the existing shaft? I'm assuming you Hand Filed a flat on the existing crankshaft or drilled? I'd have to mill in a key way onto the extension but it looks doable! Or send it!!

 

[Master Hack]

I made that to adapt a treaded shaft engine. By threaded shaft l dont mean 3/8 female threads like a normal shaft. This was a pump engine that 1/2 x 20 male threads.
l cut those off. I drilled the engine shaft for the set screws and used plenty of hot sauce on them. This is only 3HP, I don't think this would work very will with big horsepower.
if you need to go from 3/4 to 1 inch, ya just need a long bushing? Simple!

 

[Master Hack]

I didn't turn the extension on the PTO shaft. Those are purdy darn straight.
l just turned itseperatly and made about a half tho interference fit.
less than a tho runout.

 

[Medo82]

That's a very nice job you did right there. Food for thought for sure! I bought the motor a week ago and never even started it yet. The plan is to break it in with a few easier than normal hours and change fluids. Then drive it like I stole it to see how well it preforms and improve a few things like the steering, add a seat belt and re enforce the wannabe roll cage cause someone is gonna roll this after a 12 pack of the High Life, I know it. Then off to blast and paint after I work out some kinks. While away I will try and do the equivalent of a stage 2 upgrade. At that point I figured I would go with a 40 series Juggernaught driver so it could the new handle output. Like I asked earlier I'm not sure if a 40 series would hinder the motor as is? They sell the 3/4 to 1in shaft adapter, keyed and longer! Problem sorta solved then!! I think!

 

[Master Hack]

would like to make a shaft adapter,preferably buy one that i cannot find even on Mcmaster Carr.

l was under the impression ya couldn't find what ya needed?

l'm not the expert on your 40 upgrade, but l think it would be unnecessary.

 

[Denny]

The Juggernaut is not necessary. A regular 40 with some mods will work just as good. It sounds like you have a solid plan for the engine mod side of things. But if you’re going to mod the engine why not just step up to a 420 and just keep it stock and reliable?

 

[panchothedog]

Medo82. I have 3 karts with predator engines. All of them have 30 series torque converters just like yours. All of the predator engines come with output shafts that seem too short. They're not. 5/16" is enough. In fact now that I look at your picture, you have more than a couple of mine. Most converters come with a very thick outer washer that is keyed and slips slightly inside the outer clutch. Aside from using that, make sure your bolt goes as deep as possible into the crank without bottoming out. You might need a 3" bolt trimmed to the right length. Then put a lot of blue thread locker on it and torque to 25 lbs. It's not coming out. You DON'T need to fabricate an extension. There's thousands of karts running around just as I have explained. You also don't need a 40 series for a 224.

 

[Medo82]

The Juggernaut is not necessary. A regular 40 with some mods will work just as good. It sounds like you have a solid plan for the engine mod side of things. But if you’re going to mod the engine why not just step up to a 420 and just keep it stock and reliable?

Good question, here is The answer. Cause I'm not bright and I wanna tear into perfectly fine running equipment and add parts that make it faster so it breaks sooner. That's the end game!. I went with the 224 because the kart was setup for a small block bolt pattern which would get me up running quicker. If I jumped to the big block right out the gate I would have been doing more fabrication because I read and scour these forums and have learned that these yerf dogs swing arms are prone to twisting due to tourqe and jump the chain off quite often. Now I don't mind welding and fabricating one bit. I love it really but with my 4yr old just getting the bug to drive stuff I figured I'd stick with what's easy and still fun. I have another go kart that is called a Rattler I beleive and the plan is to take this motor after upgrade and replace the tired tecumseh 8hp that's on it. Then get another motor of sorts with electric start cause I like my rotator cuffs. I bought this kart cause it has suspension that I will upgrade soon so my old behind can save rearranging the kidneys and lower back.

 

[Medo82]

Poncho, thanks for the info. I'm willing to send it like I stated before. The more people that chime in the more confident I am about it. BUT... what is this thick keyed washer you speak of? Definitely didn't come with my 30 series setup from gopowersports? In fact no washer or bolt was sent along with the setup. I know the thread pattern was 5/16-24 on the shaft so i was just going to use a regular grade 8 bolt and 2 fender washers cause they are pretty thin at that size. Damn, now I have to find this washer your talking about.

 

[Master Hack]

The washer should have come with it. Dem washers are probably 3/16, I rectum.

 

[panchothedog]

So you've got two threads going. I have written on both of them now. FWIW the juggernaut is not worth the money. With springs and weights you can tune the garden variety 30 series to perform better for 1/3 the cost. I own both. Slow down a little and learn before you waste money. How old are your kids. Getting drunk and screwing up their kart is no way for a responsible dad to act. There's plenty of fun to be had without the booze. Sorry about the soap box, just the way I feel about things.

 

[Medo82]

Master Hack, I could not find a 3/4 to 3/4 adapter to lengthen the shaft. I did find an adapter to turn a 3/4 shaft to 1in, if comes keyed and longer than what I would need. Once you go to a 1in shaft you have to go with a 40 series driver. 30 series no longer fits. Sorry for the confusion. Looks like I'm just gonna rock it then roll it just the way it is anyways. But your work on the adapter is still top notch craftsman ship!

 

[panchothedog]

You can use a flat washer. But get the thickest you can. Not fender washers for sure. Not that big either. Between the torque and tremendous heat that build up right there, the fenders will deform really fast. You need to keep that sucker locked on there.

 

[Medo82]

Poncho, kid time is just that. Safe and responsible. But my kids are not always with me and I have 40 acres connected to atv trail system. I have no intentions of building something just to wreck it, but I am a realist and with my large family who have been known on occasion to get loose it's a possibility that on 40 acres full of trees at dusk something might pop out in front of you or you accidently loose focus because of a few adult beverages and you put it into a ditch or side swipe a tree. I write to Keep things more on the comical side anyways. I own alot more faster things to drive in anyways.. hahaha, just kidding... insurance is expensive!