vintage briggs and stratton engines on go karts

[briggsandstratton123]

every now and then i see early 60's and earlier model 5's and 23's and the like, do these motors have any history with go karts. i know they're not very powerful but if i find one it'd be interesting on a go kart

 

[jandj]

Early '60s and earlier karts for the most part you're talking 2 strokes.
Especially on race karts.

 

[briggsandstratton123]

the 2 strokes could get up to much more speed, 4 strokes were a lot heavier but had more torque

 

[jandj]

Mid 60's B&S were starting to take over the dirt ovals, sprint karts stuck with 2 strokes a lot longer.

 

[briggsandstratton123]

the old briggs engines were just so reliable the 2 strokes are always needing rebuilds after every few races

 

[Russ2251]

...5's and 23's and the like, do these motors have any history with go karts.

Were very common when we were kids. Millions of them (models 5, 6, 8) were produced and seemed like everybody had one powering one thing or another. Cast iron Clinton 4 cycles were also fairly common.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzrp0eki0Fo

 

[briggsandstratton123]

wow that thing goes for a 1/2hp moybe the motor is modified? often see JAP engines around the place (haven't seen any on go karts though)

 

[Russ2251]

1.5hp unmodified other than gov removal.

 

[briggsandstratton123]

what size shaft is it?

 

[Russ2251]

what size shaft is it?

Standard fare... 0.625"