Where do you get an engine from?

[johnnyKart]

I don't want to buy a new one. Junkyard? What do you folks use? What HP? Thanks.

 

[r_chez_08]

depends what for. motorbike engines are good for full suspention karts/ shifter karts.
the junkyard may have something.
over 5hp is best. 6.5hp clone from harbour freight is good, for about $100 with coupons.

 

[modelengineer]

Written off bike auctions, or bike wreckers. The former being much cheaper and better (usually)

 

[johnnyKart]

Do motorcyles (if that's the bike you mention) have the horizontal shaft?

 

[freakboy]

yes everything except lawn mower engines have horz shaft.

 

[anderkart]

I've found great deals on my local craigslist.
Just make sure its got a standard style output shaft with a keyway slot and a threaded hole at the end like this pic: http://www.colinjamespoulter.co.uk/mediac/400_0/media/DIR_105267/New~engine~for~kart.jpg

And NOT a tapered shaft like this pic: http://www.tamarisktechnicals.co.uk/images/kart/engine1.jpg

Most guys here have ended up using either 5 or 6.5 hp engines but you can prety much use any size engine your kart has room for. Larger sized engines over 6.5 hp can sometimes weigh a lot more so you need to consider that too.

(once you get up to the 8 hp and over range, they usualy require a 1" shaft size clutch or torque converter. These cost more than the 3/4" clutches that smaller kart engines use)

 

[johnnyKart]

So is something like this what I need to be looking for (from craigslist):

"BS 5 HP Industrial Horizontal Motor (BEARING not BUSHING) Bronze Chemical Pump"

just under $100

 

[anderkart]

That might be fine but it doesnt say what kind of output shaft it has. You'll need to ask the dude about that or check it out in person. Lots of used engines sold on craigslist came off pressure washer pumps and generators, some (but not all) of these have the tapered style shafts that you cant easly mount a regular go kart clutch on.

 

[johnnyKart]

That might be fine but it doesnt say what kind of output shaft it has. You'll need to ask the dude about that or check it out in person. Lots of used engines sold on craigslist came off pressure washer pumps and generators, some (but not all) of these have the tapered style shafts that you cant easly mount a regular go kart clutch on.

What kind of output shaft do I look for? I know you said a longer one. I am asking if it has a formal name like the shaft orientation does (horizontal, vertical).

 

[johnnyKart]

depends what for. motorbike engines are good for full suspention karts/ shifter karts.
the junkyard may have something.
over 5hp is best. 6.5hp clone from harbour freight is good, for about $100 with coupons.

Are the harbor freight, all clones, okay? I ask because I have read threads elsewhere that named them as lifan, central machinery, and others. Right now I saw "greyhound" as the maker. Just try it and see I guess.

Here's what I found:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66015

another one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66014

 

[anderkart]

What kind of output shaft do I look for? I know you said a longer one. I am asking if it has a formal name like the shaft orientation does (horizontal, vertical).

The formal name would probably be a "straight keyed shaft".

I never said anything about a longer one, If you carefully look at the 2 link pics I posted above, the one on top is a straight keyed shaft. Its flat all the way across and has a threaded hole at the end. (this is what you want)

The 2nd pic I linked shows a shaft that tapers to a smaller size near the end. (you dont want one of these)

I dont know if Greyhound is any better than the rest, but lots of guys have had great luck with all those diferent brands of Honda clone motors. I've read that many guys that race clones prefer the yellow painted brand. (what ever that is)

 

[1992suburban]

if I may..

greyhound seems to be a pretty good one I have personally talked with several engine builders; ARC Stout Racing NR Racing and they told me they are just as good as any color.. The yellows are chosen based off of the findings that they are VERY Close to each other. example. some BLUE clones pistons are "in the hole" more or less then others. Valve covers change, different carbs.. RuXing VS Hauyai ect ect

Just buy whats cheap you can get the yellow for 99bux from ARC and the blue from HF for the same depending on if you use a coupon.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Do motorcyles (if that's the bike you mention) have the horizontal shaft?

They have a built in transmission and clutch generally with a horizontal splined output shaft with a sprocket on it.

 

[anderkart]

I think the blue ones are purdy but I like the red ones best...

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

I got my engine from my dad's logsplitter, we swapped in a freaking huge one(some unknown iron block Briggs), at idle the splitter now almost hops up and down.

 

[johnnyKart]

if I may..

greyhound seems to be a pretty good one I have personally talked with several engine builders; ARC Stout Racing NR Racing and they told me they are just as good as any color.. The yellows are chosen based off of the findings that they are VERY Close to each other. example. some BLUE clones pistons are "in the hole" more or less then others. Valve covers change, different carbs.. RuXing VS Hauyai ect ect

Just buy whats cheap you can get the yellow for 99bux from ARC and the blue from HF for the same depending on if you use a coupon.

sorry to be dumb...what is ARC?

 

[anderkart]

: http://www.arcracing.com/servlet/StoreFront

 

[1992suburban]

I forgot they said they were only selling the box stock kits & ready to race motors now..

 

[ApocGoD]

Most guys here have ended up using either 5 or 6.5 hp engines but you can prety much use any size engine your kart has room for. Larger sized engines over 6.5 hp can sometimes weigh a lot more so you need to consider that too.

I can attest to that. I have a perkins 13.7Hp diesel on my mud buggy and it weights 180lbs.

 

[anderkart]

I can attest to that. I have a perkins 13.7Hp diesel on my mud buggy and it weights 180lbs.

Just the engine, or the whole kart?