Torque Converter Help

[natertot123]

Hello,

I just installed a torque converter on my baja mini bike. I am having a few issues once I installed it. First, when I try to just push the bike around (engine is off) the wheel does not want to spin very well and I have to really push the bike hard to get it to move. When I turn on the engine and let it idle, the torque converter seems to already be engaged and the bike starts to take off by itself. I have managed to ride around on it a little like this but when ever I give it full gas the chain pops off and I have to stop. Did I install something wrong with the torque converter? Thank you for the help.

 

[Jfive]

Picture of how its lined up. Sounds like mis alignment but with out seeing it hard to say.

 

[landuse]

Could be misaligned, or you could have the incorrect belt. You need a specific belt which is determined by the center to center distance between the driver and driven

Here is a table to check if you have the correct belt

http://www.gokartsupply.com/tcbelts.htm

 

[itsid]

First guesses:

either the belt is stuck or too short,
or the jackshaft bearings are shot,
or the chain is too tight (odd I know...)

'sid

 

[Poboy kartman]

Close Alex....but watch this....from my recliner in White Settlement....half drunk at 9:00 am..... I see this: you take a CC off....install a TC.....don't move the axle sprocket......hmmmmmm.....what could the matter be? Oh....dear.....what could the matter be?

 

[itsid]

Close Alex....but watch this....from my recliner in White Settlement....half drunk at 9:00 am..... I see this: you take a CC off....install a TC.....don't move the axle sprocket......hmmmmmm.....what could the matter be? Oh....dear.....what could the matter be?

True true.. but since it's a minibike we talk about here

Hello,
I just installed a torque converter on my baja mini bike. ....

There is not much axle to move the rear sprocket, right?

Also TC doe NOT mean TAV automatically, so it's not impossible we talk about a seperate jackshaft setup ..

And this:

the torque converter seems to already be engaged and the bike starts to take off by itself. ...

Sounds to me like the belt is too short, doesn't it?

Anyways, we'll never know without pics for sure

'sid

PS I always read "Natter - tot" (german... "viper - dead") ahhh la lingua

 

[natertot123]

Sorry I haven't posted a picture yet I was out of town. Thank you for the replies already though. Here is two pictures I took.

 

[itsid]

Okay so.. belt seems to be okay (not too tight) so does the chain..
two things ruled out.

But are you sure that belt is installed the right way around?
(it's asymmetric.. the flat side needs to face the engine!)
I can't tell on the pic tbh so I'd rather mention it, just to be sure.

Now -assume it is-, without starting the engine;
lift the rear wheel, grab the belt and pull (inline with the belt, not off or just rotate the rear wheel) while observing the driver unit.
is the driver unit catching on the belt or does it run freely and smoothly over the brass bushing in the center of it?

If it's catching on the sidewalls of the driver unit, you need to install the two magic washers:
http://www.mfgsupply.com/gomini/gom.../gominiclutchtorq30driveparts/200836a-w2.html
(look at the drawing to see where they go it's #9 in the pic)

if that's not it, report back

'sid

 

[Bbqjoe]

Sorry I haven't posted a picture yet I was out of town. Thank you for the replies already though. Here is two pictures I took.

Maybe it's just me, or the pic, but everything looks wonky to me. The alignment looks way off, and the chain looks sloppy loose, even though you have a tensioner. A loose chain, and improper alignment is going to make that chain fly off.
On mine I went with the 2001B from GKUSA. I had to add and subtract some washers here and there to get the best alignment.

BTW, did you put that tensioner on, or did yours come that way?
I recently took the tensioner off the original jackplate, made up a bracket, and installed it in the same place by instinct, or that it was the only place it would go.