i have a go kart, not sure what brand it is, but i bought it as a project and assembled it with what i got with it. it has a 16hp motor with pretty big rear wheels. well i got it all together with the clutch i was given but the clutch slips terribly. i think the wheels are too big and theres too much weight for that clutch. so i need a new clutch but dont want to blow money trying ones out that wont work. anybody know of any good clutches that will work well and grab hard?
what kind of clutch do i need?
- Thread starter bbullsj
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B man
Tecumseh FTW!
i know its alot of money but its better in the long run. buy a TC
Doc Sprocket
*********
I concur. If you're gearing is too high, you'll just roast the new expensive clutch you're about to purchase.
osso12
Kartman
buy a TC as posted above. Even if you get a clutch to work, you are going to burn it up.
Too big of a motor.
Too big of a motor.
fowler
New member
belt tensioner is cheapo and efective replacement for a cent clutch
but the tc is your best optoin
abit of modifycation will be needed for either choice
do u have access to a welder and other basic tools?
but the tc is your best optoin
abit of modifycation will be needed for either choice
do u have access to a welder and other basic tools?
anderkart
Moderator
Besides posting your clutch and axle sprocket tooth counts and rear tire diameter, give us some idea of the kart and drivers weight and what kinda riding you'll be doing. (like maybe just on flat dirt, parking lots or streets only? Or off road/hill climbing too?)
Some of the less expensive brands of 1" bore centrifugal clutches wont handle your 16hp engine no mater what gearing you have, on the other hand some of the more expensive brands could end up working just fine with your engine.
What brand/model clutch do you have now? (you might be able to just repair it to work fine with proper gearing) If you dont know what model it is, post a close up pic of your clutch and I'll figure it out.
It would also help us to give better advice if you could post some pics of your kart too.
Torque converter systems are best for some karts but high quality centrifugal clutches can sometimes be a better choice for others. Just depends on the situation.
the tires that are on it are 10 inches wide and 21 inches tall. the clutch gear has 12 teeth on it and i have no idea what brand it is. i got it with a box of parts that the guy i got it from had. the drive gear had 60 teeth. im not looking for a crazy expensive option but i do need to find something that will work. i do have some go kart tires on rims that i got with the kart as well but one tire had a lot of holes in it and i wanted to but the bigger ones on. i attached a couple pics of what ive got too.
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DSC02084.jpg
jeremybentham
New member
Did you run it with the smaller tires?
That could be the easiest solution. Larger diameter tires make a difference. (make your clutch work harder)
That could be the easiest solution. Larger diameter tires make a difference. (make your clutch work harder)
Your gearing looks okay to me, you should be going at least a little... I'd say you should also make sure your engine is throttling up all the way properly, whether that be the engine itself, or the throttle linkage/cable. If it's not revving high/hard enough it could just sit around the clutch engagement range, causing it to slip and not go anywhere. Otherwise, it's most likely the clutch. I haven't been into carting for too long, but that clutch looks like it may not be very suitable to me... just looks a bit too small for what it should be, and kinda old.
anderkart
Moderator
Ok, your clutch is a Comet SCS 400. Its the lowest cost 1" bore clutch available and only rated for use with up to 7 or 8hp engines with proper gearing. Some sellers claim it'll handle up to 13hp but you'd need some really low gears to make it live with your 16hp. I own one of these clutches, Its not a total piece of crap but its not all that great either.
Yeah your karts not all that heavy but those 21" rear tires are making your overall drive ratio way to high for that clutch to work. Right now your geared to hit 45mph at 3600rpm. There's some more expensive centrifugal clutches available that might survive with your engine and 21" tires, but not that Comet, no way.
Your clutch would have a much better chance of working using your 10" rear tires. With those tires your gearing/estimated top speed would only be 21mph @3600. That's a huge difference that would help your clutch out a bunch.
To save $$$ you could try repairing your old clutch, using 10" tires and see how it does with your 16hp engine.
If you've seriously over heated your old clutch, you could try taking it apart and sanding the glaze off the shoes and drum mating surfaces. If the spring has gotten so hot its lost its temper, I dont think the exact replacements are available but you might find a similar spring at a really good hardware store. Make sure you lube that clutches bearing or bushing with a 4 drops of motor oil too.
But If it doesn't get the job done you'll need to step up to a better centrifugal clutch or an even more expensive 40-series torque converter.
If your going to be riding off road/hill climbing, a 40-series Torque converter system would be the better choice. You'd also have to install a Jackshaft, but this would allow you to easily/properly gear it to run those big 21" tires.
From your pic, it looks like you've got the #35 size chain and sprocket, right? ( measure and post the spacing between your rear sprocket teeth to confirm this if your unsure)
If you decide on buying a much better 1" bore centrifugal clutch for use on mostly flat, paved/dirt riding conditions, I use and would highly recommend you buy a Noram Star clutch with the 13 tooth option.
Prices and Info here: http://www.google.com/search?source...&rlz=1T4GZAZ_enUS369US369&q=noram+star+clutch
Yeah your karts not all that heavy but those 21" rear tires are making your overall drive ratio way to high for that clutch to work. Right now your geared to hit 45mph at 3600rpm. There's some more expensive centrifugal clutches available that might survive with your engine and 21" tires, but not that Comet, no way.
Your clutch would have a much better chance of working using your 10" rear tires. With those tires your gearing/estimated top speed would only be 21mph @3600. That's a huge difference that would help your clutch out a bunch.
To save $$$ you could try repairing your old clutch, using 10" tires and see how it does with your 16hp engine.
If you've seriously over heated your old clutch, you could try taking it apart and sanding the glaze off the shoes and drum mating surfaces. If the spring has gotten so hot its lost its temper, I dont think the exact replacements are available but you might find a similar spring at a really good hardware store. Make sure you lube that clutches bearing or bushing with a 4 drops of motor oil too.
But If it doesn't get the job done you'll need to step up to a better centrifugal clutch or an even more expensive 40-series torque converter.
If your going to be riding off road/hill climbing, a 40-series Torque converter system would be the better choice. You'd also have to install a Jackshaft, but this would allow you to easily/properly gear it to run those big 21" tires.
From your pic, it looks like you've got the #35 size chain and sprocket, right? ( measure and post the spacing between your rear sprocket teeth to confirm this if your unsure)
If you decide on buying a much better 1" bore centrifugal clutch for use on mostly flat, paved/dirt riding conditions, I use and would highly recommend you buy a Noram Star clutch with the 13 tooth option.
Prices and Info here: http://www.google.com/search?source...&rlz=1T4GZAZ_enUS369US369&q=noram+star+clutch
Blazkowiez
Kart Aficionado
Without a gearing change its just going to be clutch city over and over.... destruction plain and simple.
His gearing in not even CLOSE to acceptable. That clutch will be smoked in no time flat. I'm not at to make you sound asinine, I just don't want him to read something wrong and take it as fact only to find that it was wrong. Economy centrifugal clutches are all about the same size, and can last, when geared properly and maintained well.
the chain and gears are #35. i didnt try to run the other tires b/c one has a bunch of holes in it and it's $40 for a new one so i was gonna try the bigger tires first. so if the clutch i have is not a good option, what would be a good clutch that would work? a brand name or model and where i can buy it would be very helpful. the engine runs great and the throttle works good. if its on a flat surface then it goes ok but anything uphill you can smell it overheating. even on my paved driveway with a slight incline.
anderkart
Moderator
I've fixed some pretty screwed up tires with a product called Slime from auto parts stores. Its only a few bucks for a small bottle. Or maybe you could just buy a tube for now.
Your old clutch will definitely work much better with those 10' tires, It doesn't sound like you've trashed it. I'd just oil it a little, give it a try and see how it does before buying another.
But If you click on the link in my last post you'll find prices/info on the clutch I use and think you should buy.
Hey it kinda looks like your chain might be a bit tight, but it might just be your pics angle. Does your chain have a 1/2" or so of free-play?
Your old clutch will definitely work much better with those 10' tires, It doesn't sound like you've trashed it. I'd just oil it a little, give it a try and see how it does before buying another.
But If you click on the link in my last post you'll find prices/info on the clutch I use and think you should buy.
Hey it kinda looks like your chain might be a bit tight, but it might just be your pics angle. Does your chain have a 1/2" or so of free-play?
I wouldn't say that for sure - Although I do agree that the geared top speed is rather high, I feel it would be perfectly acceptable in some situations, such as if the OP were doing continuous riding (as opposed to stop and go) where the clutch were constantly engaged.
As far as my comment on the clutch not seeming suitable, perhaps I should have been more clear: I meant for the current gearing. Sorry for any confusion.
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