Thunder Kart / Revived. Clutch?

[imadreamer1226]

Hello all.

Just picked up an old 1997 Thunder Kart. Even had the original tires on it. Changed out the carb and runs beautifully.

However, my loving son of 11 asked Dad to take a ride. So I did through a grass field we had here and after a couple laps I could smell and see smoke coming off the clutch.

There is a barbed fitting on the clutch, and we greased it before running, but I am afraid either the clutch is seizing, wrong grease, or any other number of issues. I would rather just spend a couple bucks and put a new one that isn't 20+ years old on it.

Its a 10T, on an old Fun Power Briggs 136202-1144-e1. Ive checked on gokartsupply but unsure to get one with a fitting or not. And Im not positive on the shaft size. The current clutch only has Bristers 7 etched into it. Anyone on here able to eyeball or know from past knowledge which I might need to get?

All help is appreciated!

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Are you saying that's a grease zerk on the end of the crankshaft?

 

[Texan]

Clutch is probably burned up, or you over greased it. The teeth are getting a bit thin, so might as well replace it.

Chain looks like #35, sometimes they are stamped on a link if you look closely. Your Briggs engine is most likely a 3/4" shaft. (Better be safe and pull the clutch off to be sure about the shaft size) So look for #35 3/4" Bore 10T centrifugal clutch, you can get a cheap one for like $20 bucks but the better quality ones are higher priced. Hope this helps some. Got any pics of the overall kart?

 

[imadreamer1226]

Quickest replies ever.

Alright I did not realize that is actually the end of the crankshaft. I thought it was a fitting on the outside of the actual clutch.

And yes, I saw the wear on the teeth. Im fine spending a few bucks on a toy my son adores above all others.

I will take off the clutch tonight and check out the chain to see if I can see any other numbers. Would it be on the actual master link?

Pics, of course. Let me see what else I have.

 

[mckutzy]

Typically the clutches need only oil... It has a bushing...
If it has needle bearings... Then it needs grease...

Grease will destroy bushings..

 

[itsid]

the engine is very likely a 3/4" shaft (to be sure remove the clutch and measure it )
but that's what I am going to assume for now.

Since it has ten teeth I am further assuming a #40 chain (#41 maybe.. same pitch, same clutch mostly)

So what you want to buy is (IMHO) a Maxtorque SS 10T 3/4"
https://www.gokartsupply.com/clutches.htm

[AGAIN, make sure the numbers are correct, measure the disatance of two pins on your chain,
if it's 1/2" it's the #40/41/420 chain
if it's 3/8" it'll be a #35 chain

And well.. PTO, is under your clutch... (if I'm not mistaking it's a 5hp engine.. I'm not sure it ever had something different than a 3/4" shaft [considering it's a keyed straight shaft for sure])

'sid

PS for very little additional money, you can buy a Torque converter (series 30 off ebay and such) with a backplate it's as easy to install and adds not only torque for nicer take off, but also a hair of top speed... it's worth it IMHO.

 

[imadreamer1226]

Alright. I was able to get over to it and remove the clutch. Here is what we got. It is def a 3/4 shaft.

Im not opposed to changing it over to a torque converter. I just want what is going to be the most reliable for my son. And wont burn up with my 230 gets on it!

---------- Post added at 05:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:15 PM ----------

PS for very little additional money, you can buy a Torque converter (series 30 off ebay and such) with a backplate it's as easy to install and adds not only torque for nicer take off, but also a hair of top speed... it's worth it IMHO.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Torque-Con...571146&hash=item3f4df8ad5e:g:Fn0AAOSwfphaZ4zh

Something like this? How hard is the install? How direct is the install?

Others.

 

[itsid]

Oh a one wheel peel kart...
well you still CAN swap over to a torque converter..
but frankly chances are it'll ruin the left rear wheel with the additional torque
more than your kid would benefit from the additional torque and speed.

See the four threaded holes evenly spaced around your PTO?
those four take the backplate
and the driver clutch itself installs almost exactly like your old clutch did..
that's all there is to install it really (well some belt and chain alignment of course)

So yeah pretty direct install, no?

Anyways, in your case -it being a single wheel driven kart-
tough to tell.
you can try a TC if you feel like it lacks torque on take off (as well as top speed)
but sometimes it's just burning rubber on dead axle karts. *shrugs*

it's reasonably cheap (amazingly so tbh) and thus I'd might give it a try...
but since this is your money not mine..
a fresh clutch is a perfectly good choice for that kart as well.

'sid

 

[imadreamer1226]

Hey 'sid.

It is actually a posi rear. My son was able to pull some sweet drifts in both directions on the very wet grass. I told him to cut it out or he might flip and eat it, and then every drift after that became an "accident."

I ended up grabbing the regular clutch for now for easy of install, but I will def keep in mind that torque converter setup.
-
Now my next question!

When I installed the new front tires and took the rims off the frame, I noticed the bearings were shot. Some rolled OK, some felt very chunky.

Anyone know the bearing size? I KNOW I KNOW PIX. Will get some pix on what I can see of the bearings today. Again, thanks in advance.

 

[itsid]

bearing size and style is usually stamped onto the bearing itself (coded I'm afraid).

So if yours have a number, just punch that into google and you'll find the bearing you need.

The thing is: sure one can assume a bearing from here
say 5/8" is a pretty usual spindle size std number
frontwheel bearings usually have a collar and usually they're double sealed or shielded
(that's a question of personal preference really
Some use snaprings, some are tapered, some are low profile and .....

and frankly there are too many different bearings (even for a single shaft diameter)
to list (or even to think of from on top of my head)

So yeah, find the bearing number (499502H or 6202FRS....) and search that on google
you'll end up with the bearing you need (at least you can verify against an image and now know the correct dimensions)


'sid