How do you convert a vertical engine (like a lawnmower engine) into a horizontal engine (like go-kart engine)?

8 Responses to “How do you convert a vertical engine (like a lawnmower engine) into a horizontal engine (like go-kart engine)?”

1. Skitzed Inc. says:

   May 25, 2009 at 5:23 am

   YOU DON'T, The oil sump system are completely different between the two.
   References :
   ASE MASTER TECH
2. leadbelly says:

   May 25, 2009 at 5:51 am

   if it's a four-stroke that's not going to work because the sump should be holding the engine oil. it won't if you tilt the engine.
   References :
3. trydave1ce says:

   May 25, 2009 at 6:11 am

   GOOD ANSWER skitzed!
   References :
4. Robert S says:

   May 25, 2009 at 6:55 am

   You can't convert the engine, like it has been said; the best way to change the vertical motion of your engine to horizonal motion is with some sort of differential gearbox, such as that used between the rear wheels of a rear-wheel drive car. If you are trying to build a go-kart with a vertical engine, forget about it. The weight you must add and the effort you must go through to change the direction of motion alone is rediculous. Plus, the engine would sit too high and you would make such a go-kart unstable around corners by raising it's centre of gravity too much. (I thought about doing this with my old go-kart and an 18hp tractor engine when i was a kid – the project went nowhere fast)
   References :
5. NEWBEE1 says:

   May 25, 2009 at 7:29 am

   Just a thought, Have you considered using a worm gear on the shaft? That will convert the transfer of power, but you must figure out your idle.

   Good Luck
   References :
6. 572ci. says:

   May 25, 2009 at 7:39 am

   You can't, you can certainly try but the engine will seize up after a few minutes at the most…..

   you can (like say the old sears suburban tractors that used horizontal engines) use a pulley system to make the rotation to that of a horizontal…. much easier to just use a horizontal.
   References :
7. demonguy71 says:

   May 25, 2009 at 8:08 am

   YOU CAN TOO CONVERT A VERTICAL ENGINE TO A HORIZONTAL ENGINE!!!!!

   You have to disassemble the engine completely and then get a horizontal crankshaft block of the same displacement (Piston bore size) and then install your parts into the new block.

   You will also have to get a new oil slinger that will throw the oil up onto the cylinder wall for proper lubrication.
   References :
   I took a course in High School 4 years ago for Small Engine Repair. I also worked as a small engine tech for a year, and have done this several times with no failures.
8. fantapattaya says:

   May 25, 2009 at 8:51 am

   Here is some informatin on go-karts in general, you might fine what you need in there:

   http://xuzo.com/automotive/sports/go-kart-%11-karting.html
   References :