How to Build a Go-Cart Engine

You can easily swap go-cart engines with an engine that is three-to-five horsepower. Lawn mower and chainsaw engines are commonly used for this purpose and many home-based go-cart engine builders prefer these engines because of their availability and cheap cost. You need basic mechanical knowledge in order to fabricating, improvise or install a homemade or industrial assembled go cart.

Things You'll Need

  • Power mechanic drawing kit
  • Lawn mower engine
  • Mechanical tool box
  • Four metal brackets
  • Axle sprockets
  • Two wooden bars (4 feet each)
  • Pastel chalk
  • Power drill
  • Threading bit and its driver unit
  • Bolts and nuts
  • Lock washers
  • Throttle cable
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the engine cage of the go-cart to ascertain what engine type and size is good for the space. Obtain a lawnmower from your home garage or buy one from a local store, check if it has the power you require. Start the machine to test the acceleration, turn on-off switches then switch it off and disassemble the engine from the main frame structure. Unscrew the main mounting bolts and nuts and disconnect the throttle cables.

    • 2

      Disconnect the slashing blade by unscrewing the connecting bolts and nuts. Take out the engine and measure; the size of the mounting space; the size of the engine; and the position in relation to accessibility to the axles and accelerator. Design the shape of the engine mounting brackets according to its shape, size and the intended mounting position.

    • 3

      Place the engine in its cage in a horizontal or vertical position to allow the drive rotor sprockets mesh to the rear axle sprockets easily. Hold it temporarily using wooden bars so that you can have a good picture of where the mounting bolt holes and nuts hold.

    • 4

      Mark these spots using a pastel chalk then drill the holes using a medium size bits. Thread the holes using a thread borer and lift the engine to the mounting position. Hold it in place using the wooden planks and screw in the bolts in the bolt slots. Ensure you place the lock washers in between the nuts and body plate, body plate and bolts, ensuring the engine are not touching the seat's backrest.

    • 5

      Remove the rear wheel axle and fit in a sprocket, and return it in its position. Remove the wooden planks letting the engine stand on its mounting. Measure the distance between the blade rotor sprocket and the rear axle sprocket; mesh together the drive chain to the rotor blade and the rear wheel sprockets.

    • 6

      Connect the throttle cable to the throttle and extend it to the front passing it along the main frame assembly to where the throttle pedal is situated on the base plate and connect it. Check the rear and the front brakes, the steering wheel connections; take a seat on the driver's seat and check if it's comfortable and start the engine.

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