How to build a Go Kart from a lawn mower engine or chain saw?
Posted by admin | Under Uncategorized Sunday May 24, 2009So i am trying to build a go cart but am not sure what to use for the engine. i have a lawn mower and a chain saw, and i might have some other machinery that have engines. any ideas? i have maybe 200 bucks to throw around for this project
ps. i dont know much about engines and all
First things first. You cannot use a vertical drive shaft engine in a horizontal application unless you use a transmission. In your case, that would kill the budget. Basically, the lawn mower engine is out of the question.
Next, the chain saw engine will not have enough power to push a go kart. It would suffice on a scooter, however.
Here is what you will need to round up to make this work.
1) Find an old tiller with a fairly good size, horizontal shaft engine. Most of them come with this already so it wont be too hard. Five horsepower will be plenty to get you going.
2) Buy a clutch, sprocket and chain for your drive assembly. The clutch mounts to the engine drive shaft and works off of centripetal force. The sprocket mounts to one of your rear tires and the chain connects the clutch and sprocket together.
You now have the possibility of a running go kart for less than two hundred.
Save up some more money.
Then buy some plans for a decent go-kart. A lawnmower engine is a bit gutless, and a chainsaw engine is really gutless.
http://www.edge.au.com/buggies_funkart3.htm
Seriously, check the link. I'm not shilling for the company, I just drove one of those yesterday and it was cool!
References :
First things first. You cannot use a vertical drive shaft engine in a horizontal application unless you use a transmission. In your case, that would kill the budget. Basically, the lawn mower engine is out of the question.
Next, the chain saw engine will not have enough power to push a go kart. It would suffice on a scooter, however.
Here is what you will need to round up to make this work.
1) Find an old tiller with a fairly good size, horizontal shaft engine. Most of them come with this already so it wont be too hard. Five horsepower will be plenty to get you going.
2) Buy a clutch, sprocket and chain for your drive assembly. The clutch mounts to the engine drive shaft and works off of centripetal force. The sprocket mounts to one of your rear tires and the chain connects the clutch and sprocket together.
You now have the possibility of a running go kart for less than two hundred.
References :
I was a poor kid and I used to buy peoples junk all the time to see what I could make out of it. Lots of fun.
Most likely the lawn mower engine has a vertical shaft, so won't work. The chainsaw won't have much power but could make a fun mini cart. The chainsaw is probably about 30cc and a couple horsepower, this is similar to the gas stand up scooters you see zipping around, plus it already comes with a centrifugal clutch to make it easy. Keep it light and you can buzz around about 20 mph.
Look here. they even have a forum to exchange questions.
http://www.diygokarts.com/
References :