Torque Converts Pt 2

[Jack Pine]

Hello,
Torque Convert thread answered several questions especially why Comet doesn’t make series 40 kit with mounting plate !

Thanks!

I request advice, I’m not familiar with torque converters.

I intend on getting Comet series 40 driver and driven. I have a 9 Hp B&S Vanguard. I’ll mount driven correctly: no mounting plate.

My primary use is to mount it in a 70’s Honda 350 frame and use it to tow a small fishing boat into lakes inaccessible to vehicles. I’d tend to low gearing, hi speed is not needed.

Will belt life be respectable? I am concerned that towing light boats may contribute to rapid belt wear.

Thanks!

 

[Denny]

It will have an effect on belt life. How much depends on how low you gear it.

 

[madprofessor]

How much depends on how low you gear it.

Okay, I'm curious now, Denny. Is that to say if you gear it really low there won't be much belt slippage and the (Comet) belt won't wear out quickly? It does seem a higher gearing would tend to burn belts due to not reaching enough rpm quickly enough.

 

[panchothedog]

I don't know what your boat weighs or how far you are towing it. FWIW I have 4 karts that I use in the desert with my grandkids. All of them are large 60" wheelbase 2 seater with full roll cages, 18" or 19" rear tires and 30 series torque converter powered by 196 clone or 212 predator engines. 200 to 300 pounds plus driver. As fate would have it we have had breakdowns where one has had to toe one of the other ones back to our campsite. On both occasions we have used the same kart as the tow vehicle, and this is with a 150-160 lb. teenager in each one for 4 to 5 miles. Bought the kart used, put a new comet belt on it ( along with a few other things ) and it still has the same belt on it
2 1/2 years later,and this kart has many many hours on it, plenty with smaller children and their Dad on board with them. Where I have seen excessive wear on the belts is on the hoped up karts in deep sand with sustained full throttle use. BRUTAL. 30 minutes on a Chinese belt and maybe 60 minutes on a Comet belt. If you keep your gear ratio good and low and are not getting bogged down in soft stuff I can't imagine it being too tuff for a 40 series belt which is a lot stronger than a 30.

 

[Denny]

If you want to move a lot of weight you get a longer lever. If you want to put bigger rear wheels and tires on your kart you gear it lower. If you want to tow a lot of weight you gear it lower.
You also have to remember every boat launch I have ever been to when pulling a boat out of the water you are going from a dead stop up hill. To do that successfully you need low gearing. But with the clutches and drive belt one byproduct is going to be heat! And lots of it until the clutches have a chance to fully lock up once the weight gets moving. The belt still will try to be slipping until it sees some relief when it crests the top of the hill.
Now if you happen to get that belt wet during that process it will start to hydroplane against the steel sheaves. Then game over until it all dries off completely. Towing on a flat horizontal plane once moving it may not even feel like there is any load on there. Until you hit a slight uphill grade or more or water. Plus when moving you also get the extra benefit of cooling the belt and clutches.

I hope I have explained and answered all of your questions clearly and completely. If not please let my complaint department know. They are open 24 hrs a day and you can only call them at the phone number below.