Go Kart Project

Evening gents
Got this delivered on Saturday for free




The gearbox needs a complete rebuild because the machine has sat for 2/3 years. Also check out the nifty independent front axle and trailing arm rear. It doesn't have shocks but all being well I'd like to fit 2 on the front and two on the rear.

I am going to make a topic for this, just am not too clear on where to place it. Would it be okay in the tractor builds section seeing as it has a mower gearbox, engine, steering wheel, etc?

It also came with a separate trans and rear wheels from a Westwood T1200



It looks like an 801 Peerless but a closer inspection reveals that is an 8325 or something like that. Never knew Peerless made those.




Anyways, for your viewing pleasure -

That back tire looks a bit worn there bud Should be a pretty fun build. I think we put our kart in the off topic section.

If you look closely the rear tyre is actually off the rim. Getting 4 new 4.00-8 tyres soon

Are you going to do any engine mods? Governor? What did it top out at?

Drum brake?

Thats a pretty interesting setup. I love builds like this.

Ill tuck this into Off-Topic.

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Are you going to do any engine mods? Governor? What did it top out at?

The engine will be swapped for a 12hp Powerbuilt for now because this IC one has water in the sump and a broken casting at the bottom of the carb. Might remove the gov on the powerbuilt anyway because I've got no throttle plate for the Powerbuilt.

TheBeal wrote:

Drum brake?

Yep, chain driven drum brake from a mini Fully adjustable and works pretty good

Doug wrote:

Thats a pretty interesting setup. I love builds like this.

Ill tuck this into Off-Topic.

Thanks Doug!

Pretty juicy mon! Are those rubber mounts holding the rear axle on?

RichieRichOverdrive wrote:

Pretty juicy mon! Are those rubber mounts holding the rear axle on?

Pretty sure those rubber grommets are acting as shocks on the independent front swing arms. My moms van has that same type of suspension on the rear, and I've seen a few RC cars the same way. I assume the rear on the cart is the same way but with a solid swing arm.

Nice find! Pretty decent shape by the looks of it too.

mr.modified wrote:

Nice find! Pretty decent shape by the looks of it too.

Thanks Mr.Mod!

So, finally the go kart is inside and ready to be transformed.



I had originally planned on putting a 12hp briggs flatty in and using the foote 3spd etc, but since I have this 6hp diesel laying around I think I'm gonna use it instead.



Gonna swap the thin rears for wider turfs, just gotta get some 4 stud rims from somewhere.

Very interesting machine you got there..... Hmm

You people and your diesel engines... I want one. Or 2.

I'm wondering whether to run a torque converter or a centrifugal clutch. The current axle sprocket has 45 teeth. I'll see if I can get a 60 tooth sprocket.

About time I done something on this project. At the moment the goal is to get a rolling chassis. I'm replacing the rear tyres with a pair of 18x8.50 Carlisle Turf Hoppers on 8" rims. I do need to drill out bolt holes which I am hopefully going to do over the next few weeks. Thanks for the help TheBeal.

I removed the front hub to use as a template for drilling the holes.




Quick drawing of the hub just so I can write down my measurements.



Look familiar? This is actually the end of a lawnmower front axle welded on to the suspension setup.

I have decided to ditch the diesel engine and keep the vertical shaft engine and drivetrain. The engine is a 12hp Briggs flatty that I'm going to mod slightly (porting, governor removal).

When I'm removing the governor, do i remove the governor gear as well as the arm and shaft that goes into the block?



Pic courtesy of Google.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

leave the gear, remove the weights... gear acts as an oil slinger

Lawren Wimberly wrote:

leave the gear, remove the weights... gear acts as an oil slinger

Thanks! Do I need to remove the weights or can I just keep em?

Took the sump off today. Oil looked a little green for some reason.



Cut the gov. pin out. Gonna tap the hole and run an m6 bolt through.

If you are not tearing the engine down now but just putting it back together after this. You can put a long bolt through the hole and put a nut on the other end with some sealant. That way you dont have to worry about the metal shavings from tapping the hole.

Well I decided to tap the hole and ended up snapping the head of the bolt in the hole trying to tighten it! Hope it seals


I have the sump back on but I discovered a key on my bench that I'm not sure where it came from. Any ideas?

Here's the snapped bolt.



And here's the key. I'm 99% sure it came from this engine. I'm thinking it might be the cam gear key.

MatthewD wrote:

Here's the snapped bolt.



And here's the key. I'm 99% sure it came from this engine. I'm thinking it might be the cam gear key.

That looks to me like the flywheel key from a 2-5hp Briggs, if it isn't magnetic then it is. Cam gear is usually a woodruff key.

[quote="RichieRichOverdrive"]

MatthewD wrote:

That looks to me like the flywheel key from a 2-5hp Briggs, if it isn't magnetic then it is. Cam gear is usually a woodruff key.

I agree, I think it may be the flywheel key. We can hope?

I think it is a flywheel key. It's not the one from this briggs because it still has it's flywheel key and they look identical. Must have dropped from my shelves or something. And they are both not magnetic.

So if everything goes to plan to morrow I should have the engine running. I'll also get some decent pics of it