Homemade go cart help??

[83 200e]

So ive got this homemade 5 horse tecumseh go cart with a comet clutch on it, but i keep having to buy more chain links for it because the side of the clutch, cover maybe? keeps rubbing on the chain and causes the link to bust off, does anyone know how to fix that problem?

[dustrunner]

is the engine lined up with the sprocket's perfectly ? if so maybe the snap ring came out of the clutch cover ? got a pic ?

[83 200e]

i just think somehow, the guy had put too much pressure on the clutch, and it is bending inwards towards the chain, its like a snowmobile type clutch on there
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[dustrunner]

does the chain have any slack ? ya... it.'s a centrifical clutch....snowmobiles use belts tho....

[83 200e]

my bad, i was just saying kind of what it looked like haha. And no, it doesnt have any slack to it, it just kind of rubs against the side of the clutch

[Gator72007]

run the master link with the clip part of the link on the out side of the chain, not facing the clutch side.
and i run the master with the closed part of the clip facing direction of chain movement.

[83 200e]

thanks sounds good

[barnett468]

can you post a photo?

one of the clutch hitting the chain and one from behind the rear sprocket so we can see the chain/gear alignment> there whould also be around 1/2 inch of play in the chain. it should not be tight.

it is highly unlikely the outer clutch housing is bent.r

[83 200e]

its down the hill in a shed, kinda hard to get to, and it seems like the chain is fairly tight, and almost like the outer clutch housing is almost kind of being pulled in toward the chain and the sprocket, like there is too much tension or something on it for some weird reason

[dustrunner]

it's called a cob job....i bought a go cart last year and the chain was tight enuff to play a tune on it....i took the masterlink off and the engine almost fell off the cart...only 2 bolts holding it and a tight chain....just saying...the side of the chain should'nt hit the clutch...never...

[barnett468]

HelloI

f there was enough tension on the chain to affect the outer clutch hub it would pull it away from the chain not into it. If your chain was misaligned enough to make the chain hit your motor your motor would have to be off center and or out of square so much a blind person could easily see it, so when you decide to actually go look at it. you will have your answer. It's either chain align or bent outer clutch housing in which case you will need a new clutch. You mayl not receive any new revelations on your problem even with photos at this point without more specific info.

Hope this info helps.

[trike savior]

had same problem on my gakart multiple times. when u run them hard things will come loose. heres what you need to look at.

first the clutch on the engine. there is a bolt holding clutch on to crank. make sure it is there and that there is a washer on it big enough to hold it on the crank.

there is also a snap ring that holds the outer clutch shell to the main body of the clutch. make sure its there or it will have too much movement. if it is missing the crank bolt and washer will keep it on but it will move too far causing a problem like you have. if you push the outer shell towards engine you should see the groove it sits in. should be able to find replacement at hardware store.

this next is a comob of things that align the chain.

if you have a live axle (axle connecting and driving both rear wheels) the sprocket on the axle should have a set screw to hold it in place which can sometimes vibrate out. this will cause the lower sprocket to move on axle causing a condition like yours

if you have a single driven wheel make sure the sprocket is tightly mounted to wheel and the wheel is tight on axle

most engine mounting plates are elongated to allow adjustment. if your bolts are loose or your bolts are too small (i think most engines are drilled with 3/8 mounting holes, so if you are using 1/4" bolts) it can move allowing the engine to be too far over causing your problem

let us know what you find