Two HS Seniors Looking For Help

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jamyers

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How about an alcohol-powered engine with a hydrostatic drive? Wouldn't need brakes, you'd have a built-in "transmission" with a reverse "gear", and the engine would always run at it's most efficient speed. Add in a small distiller and use the exhaust heat to distill more alcohol while you drive around (more weight, but...)

You're not drinking and driving, but whenever you stop you're ready to party...
 
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gvfc2

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one thing about ethanol... you need a license to distill it. ethanol and methanol are relatively the same excepts meth iirc likes to eat rubber and plastic.

on the other hand if you can buy 190 proof fuel grade ethanol converting a gas engine is as simple as timing, new carburetor. and thats actually really all. but it could be run with just a new carb but not all that good.

ever think about running hho?
 
falcon52

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Depends on where ARCA race schedule is
jamyers said:
How about an alcohol-powered engine with a hydrostatic drive? Wouldn't need brakes, you'd have a built-in "transmission" with a reverse "gear", and the engine would always run at it's most efficient speed. Add in a small distiller and use the exhaust heat to distill more alcohol while you drive around (more weight, but...)

You're not drinking and driving, but whenever you stop you're ready to party...
Click to expand...

not to mention the whole need for an ice cold condensor with 175*F vapor running through it lol. Don't think it would last too long.
 
jamyers

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gvfc2 said:
one thing about ethanol... you need a license to distill it. ethanol and methanol are relatively the same excepts meth iirc likes to eat rubber and plastic.
Click to expand...
Depending on local laws, you might be able to distill small amounts for scientific project demonstrations (I did in high school but that was years ago)
Be careful, ethyl alcohol is drinkable - methyl is poison.

on the other hand if you can buy 190 proof fuel grade ethanol converting a gas engine is as simple as timing, new carburetor...
Click to expand...
Assuming the carb gaskets are alky-resistant, no need for a new carb - just re-jet richer. Alky also can take more compression, and will run cooler.



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gvfc2

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Fabroman said:
... & what's the best way to learn? Throw it away & get a new one? NO! Pull it apart & figure it out!
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they are on a time constraint too.

i was basing my comments on this

blueskywhitewaters said:
time constraints (8 hr/day, 2 wks)? We feel that either pathway will work, but with our limited hands on experience with engines, we're hesitant to play with timing or anything that can jeopardize the success of our project.
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buying a new carb already jetted and stuff will save time. if they werent on a time constraint i would say just take it apart and learn
 
exenos

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80 hours inst exactly a tight time restriction and learning how to rejet a carb shouldn't take more than a hour at most if you have instructions. The money spent on a pre setup carb ($100?) would be better spent elsewhere to make the project better.
 
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gvfc2

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exenos said:
80 hours inst exactly a tight time restriction and learning how to rejet a carb shouldn't take more than a hour at most if you have instructions. The money spent on a pre setup carb ($100?) would be better spent elsewhere to make the project better.
Click to expand...

well they do still have to figure what setup they are going to go. also they have to make a frame and other stuff might not fit into their time line. but your right that 100$ is better spent elsewhere. say for wheels
 
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blueskywhitewaters

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Hello all,

Thank you so much for the replies. Due to an overload of school work, we have not been able to post as often as we would have liked. We have decided to use a diesel engine and design a dual fuel tank system with one tank containing diesel and the other corn oil.
The engine we have decided to use is from carroll stream motors. Here is a link: http://www.carrollstream.com/6HP_Diesel_Engine_With_Electric_Start_p/cs178es.htm

Has anyone used this on a gokart?

Also, we are planning to use a torque converter with this. Can anyone recommend a suitable model for use with this engine?

Lastly, as for the chassis, we are still in thinking process for that. We plan to make a plan and have a welding shop make it for us, given that we do not have any experience welding. However, we see that this may be expensive, given our budget of around $1500.

Once again, thank you everyone for your replies.

Any input will be greatly appreciated.
 
OzFab

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This thing gets more expensive every time you post:

That engine has a 1" shaft. IIRC, a 30 series cvt isn't available with a 1" bore driver, which means you'll need a 40 series driver. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

Yes, your welding is going to be expensive, unless you can find someone you know who can weld it or convince a local tradesman to do it at a much reduced price. If you appeal to his better nature by telling him it's for a school project, he may be inclined to donate some time.
 
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blueskywhitewaters

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The first one seems to be in good condition, but we liked the Murray because we could use the extra space in the two seater to install our dual tanks.

Thank you for your input by the way!
 
jamyers

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I'll bet you could pick up any of those for $50 under what they're asking, any would work - how big a second fuel tank you going to use, if it's going to be the smaller one for starting/stopping on?

Then you sell the existing engine for $50-75...
 
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DJEEPER

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You should look at running propane. Its pretty easy to convert a simple gas engine to propane. They even sell kits for it.
 
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blueskywhitewaters

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DJeeper, We're interested in the gas to propane conversion kit. Using a gas engine would definitely be significantly cheaper than using a diesel, not to mention quieter. Have you done this? Could you give us some more information?

Thank you
 
Doc Sprocket

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I'm still very interested to know how/where it suggests that a diesel engine is a suitable candidate for conversion to LPG/CNG/methane/whatever. I can't see it being worthwhile.
 
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