I got an ancient Tecumseh 5HP engine working. I'm obviously itching to do something with it, but even a "proper" DIY garage kart build-up is looking to be a bit much of an investment for this toy based on the net reading I've looked at.
For instance, based on the prices at http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_291701+93 , I am looking at $200 easily.
Should I just drain its fluids, bag it, and put it in a box or does anyone have any low-cost ideas?
Yeah... the thread title was misleading. 
Just find an old yard-kart at a garage sale with a broken/missing engine, and put yours in. Thats what I did a few years ago. And if you ever get a "real" Go-Kart with a spare engine, Briggs & Stratton Raptor Racing engines are great in old yard-karts. Ask me how I know.
I'd check the local trader ads for an old cart without engine or a bad engine. There's usually one around. I have a friend that was trying to give an old cart frame away a little while ago, don't know if he still has it. Find one with a decent frame for real cheap should make a good base and should be cheaper than building one.
Edit: Tommy's fast on the draw, he posted while I was composing my post. 
I thought a go-kart needs a horizontal shaft.
Here comes a joke about a shaft, I can feel it.
Just get a 1:1 90* gear box (if you can't find a horizontal shaft 5hp engine on a tiller or something at a yard sale for the same price).
-Les
jamscal wrote: I thought a go-kart needs a horizontal shaft. Here comes a joke about a shaft, I can feel it.
That's why I'm here!
Huh huh shaft.
jamscal wrote: shaft, I can feel it.
Uhhhhhhh, what?
fastasleep wrote: Just get a 1:1 90* gear box (if you can't find a horizontal shaft 5hp engine on a tiller or something at a yard sale for the same price). -Les
looked into that when i had a kart.. just too much work(i was 12). Horizontal shaft is where it is at..
fiat22turbo wrote:jamscal wrote: shaft, I can feel it.
I knew one of you Beavises would pick up on that.
Most (non-hydrostatic) riding lawn mowers use vertical shaft motors and are belt drive to the transmission. Usually the pulley on the engine is small, pulley on the transmission big, and usually the mower is slow. If the pulley on the motor were big, and the pulley on the transmission small, though....
I could make an Isaac Hayes comment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDyRdhSIqlo&feature=related
jamscal wrote:fiat22turbo wrote:I knew one of you Beavises would pick up on that.jamscal wrote: shaft, I can feel it.
Dammit Beavii...don't make me kick your a$$es again! It's Beavii...not Beavises.
Thanks for the comments everyone. I'll scour the trader ads and craigslist for something.
oldopelguy wrote: Most (non-hydrostatic) riding lawn mowers use vertical shaft motors and are belt drive to the transmission. Usually the pulley on the engine is small, pulley on the transmission big, and usually the mower is slow. If the pulley on the motor were big, and the pulley on the transmission small, though....
Exactly.
oldopelguy wrote: Most (non-hydrostatic) riding lawn mowers use vertical shaft motors and are belt drive to the transmission. Usually the pulley on the engine is small, pulley on the transmission big, and usually the mower is slow. If the pulley on the motor were big, and the pulley on the transmission small, though....
... the motor wouldn't have enough power to support your dreams of turning the wheels at a high rate of speed. :)
jamscal wrote: ... the motor wouldn't have enough power to support your dreams of turning the wheels at a high rate of speed. :)
I don't know about oldopelguy's level of acceptability, but when your ass is 5 inches off the ground it doesn't take much to feel fast enough to deem unsafe. It's all just a matter of gearing and avoiding belt slippage.
what about when in stock configuration in top gear your mower can lift the front wheels over a foot off the ground on launch?
I think I could build a frame that would weigh-in at well under half of what my riding mower weighs, and it wouldn't be pushing any blades. I think it would perform at least as well as the mower speed-wise, and if you geared it for twice as fast and it wouldn't pull it you could always leave it in 2nd or 3rd gear instead of top gear.
And on the belt slipping issue, you could install a clutch assembly on the engine and then chain drive to the trans.
mad_machine wrote: I could make an Isaac Hayes comment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDyRdhSIqlo&feature=related
yes, but have you seen shaft in africa?
I rented it once.
oldopelguy wrote: I think I could build a frame that would weigh-in at well under half of what my riding mower weighs, and it wouldn't be pushing any blades. I think it would perform at least as well as the mower speed-wise, and if you geared it for twice as fast and it wouldn't pull it you could always leave it in 2nd or 3rd gear instead of top gear. And on the belt slipping issue, you could install a clutch assembly on the engine and then chain drive to the trans.
Yes, I stand corrected.
I was thinking just of the motor and not the lawn tractor transmission for some reason.
Carry on, Beavii
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