That go kart smell

[Tpdingo]

There is a particular smell that the old flathead go karts used to make when they ran. I know that when my 212 first starts idling it makes that same smell(I think it is from running rich?). Is there a way to make a 212 make that same smell all the time?

(Also, would a straight pipe help? I think the stock exhaust has some kind of catalytic material in it. When the 212 is turned off, it makes a pretty nasty smell for a minute or two afterwards and I thin it might be the catalytic material.)

 

[KeeganJohnson92]

I think you mean the smell of leaded fuel and no catalyst. I know what you mean all my vintage stuff has a certain unique smell. If you wanna replicate it you will need Octane Supreme or some leaded race gas mixed in your fuel, if it legal in your state. Idk if the fake stuff does the trick or not. I use the real stuff for my old JD 2 cylinder. Catalyst removal alone will produce a unique smell, but not quite the same. I should mention its bad to smell that stuff, but ill be ****ed if i dont agree it smells good. Like a time machine in your nose haha

 

[Tpdingo]

Definitely wasn't leaded fuel. I remember the smell from probably 5-10 years ago at some go karting place before I had my own one to play with. Do you have a recommendation for a new muffler that is still quiet but isn't catalytic and so restrictive(basically not a straight pipe)? I think a J pipe might work if it is aiming at the ground.

 

[Nosandwich]

As far as I know, small engine mufflers are not catalytic.

 

[mckutzy]

There's no cat of any sort on small engine exhausts.. Just baffles...

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

I've always like the smell of avgas 100LL (100octane low lead) It has that vintage smell to it.

You could do the castor oil trick for a vintage race smell or just buy the flavered additives.

 

[mckutzy]

Gokart vaping flavour... Mmmmm ...

I'm kinda of a Pure Black Powder, Bullseye or Red Dot "flavour" fan myself....

 

[jandj]

Talking about fuel reminds me of one of my favorite things at an Indy or Sprint car race....watching newbies stand right behind the pipes when one fires up, 30 seconds later they're wiping their eyes...still standing there.
Along the same line, nothing clears the ol' sinuses quicker than a good whiff of Nitro.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

There are no catalytic converters in small utility engine mufflers. It may reach that point someday, but we're not there now.

Smell is highly subjective. I'm thinking of the distinct smell of race gas, but I think perhaps you're just referring to the smell of a slightly rich mixture. Flatheads have to run richer mixtures due to limitations in their design. I suggest getting a flathead engine instead of detuning an OHV.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Talking about fuel reminds me of one of my favorite things at an Indy or Sprint car race....watching newbies stand right behind the pipes when one fires up, 30 seconds later they're wiping their eyes...still standing there.
Along the same line, nothing clears the ol' sinuses quicker than a good whiff of Nitro.

Yeah pure methenol will burn your sinuses if your close or running in the trailer. But nitro will clear the pit rats right out!

 

[65ShelbyClone]

When I was a kid at the drags I recall standing by the return lane watching cars come back from their runs. Some methanol-burning front-engine dragster with zoomies came right by the fence and the puffs hit me in the face. All I remember is puff-puff-OMGitBUUUUUUURRRRRNS.

 

[Tpdingo]

There are no catalytic converters in small utility engine mufflers. It may reach that point someday, but we're not there now.

Smell is highly subjective. I'm thinking of the distinct smell of race gas, but I think perhaps you're just referring to the smell of a slightly rich mixture. Flatheads have to run richer mixtures due to limitations in their design. I suggest getting a flathead engine instead of detuning an OHV.

You are probably right about the rich part. I have a small Tecumseh flat head with a new carb on it that I built a few years ago but it has no attachment to the carb and is a 5/8" shaft. No good there. Maybe find a used briggs but I've heard their stock carbs work when they feel like it.

 

[Kansaskart]

You are probably right about the rich part. I have a small Tecumseh flat head with a new carb on it that I built a few years ago but it has no attachment to the carb and is a 5/8" shaft. No good there. Maybe find a used briggs but I've heard their stock carbs work when they feel like it.

A Tecumseh owner talking about Briggs having carb issues. This HAS to be a first!

 

[Tpdingo]

The carb on there is from a Honda lawnmower(I think). At least is probably from an OHV motor, and it definitly not a Tecumseh.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

You could do the castor oil trick for a vintage race smell or just buy the flavered additives.

That reminds me, has anyone used the fuel flavors with gasoline?

Castor oil is fun, but it's so expensive and leaves crud behind.

FYI: I run VP100 pump gas sometimes in my turbo fun car (early '70s/no cat converter) and it has zero race gas smell. I also use Royal Purple octane boost on occasion with the same lack of cool smells. It just leaves orange junk on the spark plugs and oxygen sensor(probably MMT deposits).

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

That reminds me, has anyone used the fuel flavors with gasoline?

Castor oil is fun, but it's so expensive and leaves crud behind.

FYI: I run VP100 pump gas sometimes in my turbo fun car (early '70s/no cat converter) and it has zero race gas smell. I also use Royal Purple octane boost on occasion with the same lack of cool smells. It just leaves orange junk on the spark plugs and oxygen sensor(probably MMT deposits).

I've never used the smell additives but like I've mentioned avgas smells good. Perhaps it is the lead. ...

 

[anickode]

I've never used the smell additives but like I've mentioned avgas smells good. Perhaps it is the lead. ...

It's the lead, and the fact that airplane engines run quite rich, at least in places you'd be able to smell it, such as on the ground.