[Complete] Mightyraze's Kal-El [2018 Build-Off Entry]

Lol. Was doing some stresses today. Speed and hit the off road fast too.

Top speed is 18mph right now. Maybe some tuning and may see 20mph not worried about going faster. While forcing the front to flex I ended up busting the u joint off my steering gear.   Nothing a re-weld won't fix.   I may try to shorten the steering too.

Also I was surprised how much that old frame flexes.

Sounds good. How's the 2300 sound at speed?

Quiet until you let off the gas.  Then there is a whine.  Little bit disk brake rub sound.

The thing that shocks me is the amout of frame twist this thing has.  I think it twists more than Li'l Red.  It's enough to make me reconsider it being primary.

Any chance of reinforcing the frame?

That's my vote.  Maybe you could make some bolt-on cross members or reinforcement pieces?

I have added 1 brace that is my monolink point. I hope to add another to help with the foot boards on the rear side. Just have to make sure the belt does not rub. It's pretty busy underneath.

MightyRaze wrote:

Lol. Was doing some stresses today. Speed and hit the off road fast too.

Top speed is 18mph right now. Maybe some tuning and may see 20mph not worried about going faster. While forcing the front to flex I ended up busting the u joint off my steering gear.   Nothing a re-weld won't fix.   I may try to shorten the steering too.

Also I was surprised how much that old frame flexes.

Got the steering fixed tonight!  Turns out I only tack welded the socket to the shaft.  Go me.  It's burned on this time.

I was thinking about the twisting.  I think most of this is due to the wide rear end.  I think I will take off the rear spacers when I get the chance.  Make sure the tires do not hit the foot boards.  I may end up trimming them up.

I’m not sure that would totally eliminate the twisting but I could see it alleviating it on certain uneven terrain.

Maybe a long skid plate from front to back made up of 2 bars that spread out and come together in certain spots that bolts in. Just a thought.

All good ideas... i was looking at some twisting and it appears to be from the monolink point forward.  I was thinking of welding in an X brace up there on the underside and see if that would help.  We are not talking serious bend, but maybe about quarter to half inch twist in extreme surface.  Enough to jack up the hood.

Popped the head covers off last night.  Lots of carbon build up.  Also on the right side (upper head) there was minor oil seepage it appeared.  I'm guessing rings are wearing out on that side.  I polished it up and going to send it for now.  Oh and head gaskets seemed fine little scorching near the valves but cleaned up. (not that old looking either)

Where was the oil leaking from? the head gasket?

Yes it looks that way, but it had to pass the rings to get to that point

Crazy_Carl wrote:

Where was the oil leaking from? the head gasket?

Inside the cylinder chamber and out where the head gasket was loose.  All this time I thought it was a loose plug.  It's slow enough that I don't blow white smoke yet.  The pic above is the opposite side, it was just carbon build-up with some blowout where it was loose too.  I forgot to take a pic from the side in question.  My hands were very oily at that time and momentarily lost my phone.  LOL

I've seen oil come out from under the head and around the head bolts on oppys. They ran just fine too. Really isn't an issue unless there's a serious loss of power lol.

Yeah, I have seen that.  Not sure where that comes from yet.  Don't see any cracks in the block.

Trimmed the foot boards and added a tether kill today.

Safety first!!!

No no Carl. Safety third, LOL. The 2 before it are safety and safety, LOL.

LOL...

Started working a few other things I hope pan out.  Also, looking at those pix...Kal is starting to get dusty.  HAHA..

Pressure wash it! and then polish the paint so you can see it shining from here LOL

I just picked up a pan frame Murray with this same hood on it. Thinking about puttin it on an AYP frame for my next build...

Did you put an epoxy or kV clear coat on it, would be a shame to scratch up that paint pretty paint job

Well my little project worked out.  Even holds my weight pretty well... that is more than 4x's what should be the heaviest it would take.





And my partner in crime...



Now to clean it up and paint.

Great RACK!  You're tractor looks more complete now.  So where's the toolbox going?

Cool deal Mighty! Looks super sturdy, should work great for sure. It'll definitely be handy to have some decent storage space. I like your pup as well!

Crazy_Carl wrote:

Great RACK!  You're tractor looks more complete now.  So where's the toolbox going?

Still thinking of some tweaks for it.  I have contemplated maybe a midrange shelf?  Something to put a toolbox or something in under there?  Still thinking as I do not know what toolbox to use at this time.  I may go with a ammo canister.  Still in brainstorming.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Cool deal Mighty! Looks super sturdy, should work great for sure. It'll definitely be handy to have some decent storage space. I like your pup as well!

Thanks AK!