Murray Racer Build "Bad Habit"

Starting another build that I sorta mocked up a bit about a year ago. This was a flipped trans project that never went far. I ended up tearing it down and it sat around as a parts mower. This was a 2001 Murray wide body LT that had a blown motor with a MST 206 transaxle. I’ve used the trans in my other build (Ol yeller) so I’ll be using another MST 206 that I pulled from a craftsman. I like the craftsman version because the shift lever is a lot shorter and won’t interfere with the belt. This should be a pretty cheap build only needing to purchase Steel for bracing, a trans pulley, steering and axle components and tires. I plan on going with direct steering routed over the engine. Going to stick in the v-twin that I took out of Ol yeller for a power plant. Not sure on rear tire size yet... either 18 or 20” depending how low it sits.

This is what it looked like when a got it. It is tore down to the frame now waiting to be braced up.
am going to get some 3/4" square tubing tomorrow and get started on firming it up. Will update as I progress.

Got some time this weekend to work on the mower. I got the frame pretty much braced up except for a few cross bracing ill have to do after getting clutch and belt in place for mock up.

Here is the stripped frame.


This is the front end that holds the front axle that I'm changing out for a extra Murray rear panel I had.


I used this rear because mounted in the front it provides my 10 degree tilt I need. Its about 11 degrees actually. Ill trim it off flush with the bottom of the frame and mount my axle to it.


Here is a couple pics of the bracing




This is the front now after trimming the bottom off and a bit of weld.


I also trimmed the lip off the engine plate and bolted it down. All this will get welded after more mocking up.



Put my mock block on with my pulley to see how much to cut out.


Had to cut out a lot to clear the 8" pulley.


So next I will be getting the Trans mounts measured out for the flip. Looks like everything is going to fit within the frame channels … hoping all the pulleys will line up.

Very nice... Looking for some serious speed eh?

I’m thinking top end will be faster then I’ll ever attempt to run it. I was never good at figuring out gear ratios. Going with 8/5 pulleys with 7/1 transaxle gearing in its highest gear and 20” tires. Never ran tires that tall on a racer so this have to just be tested out. Think this setup may put a lot of stress on the MST so not sure how long it will hold up.