18hp VanGuard cart build

DaCajun

Well, Yea I'm just another one attempting to build one of these big block carts. What I am starting with is a Yamaha electric cart that I was able to pick up for a pretty decent deal locally. It's just a roller with no motor or batteries, just a decent little roller. I did have Yamaha cart just like it that I was initially going to use for this build but I had decided it would be best to just sell it and build a roller instead. So it just sold and now I will use those funds to build this roller. I did however purchase a very nice running 18hp VanGuard motor off of Craig's list a year ago or so. I have removed the governor and it runs very well and it's ready to go. Later on my plans are to do some more mods to the motor, but I feel it's best to get the cart it up going and make sure all the bugs are worked out before doing any serious mods. Ok, with all that being said, now I need to purchase a drive and driven clutch. Oops, I almost forgot to mention a very important detail, well it being an electric cart the rear diff. will in no way work. So again, about a year ago or so I had purchased a rear diff from Surplus Supply. It's appears to be a pretty hefty piece with it having five lug axles, but I'm going to have to work on that. Not only does it have five lug axles but it's also a little bit wider then the stock rear diff as well. But at this point I don't know if that's really a bad thing or not. And the rear gearing is a little bit steeper as well. Another one of those areas that may not be such a bad thing as the main use of this cart will be to tow my race car around the pits at the track....

Ok, details huh??? Well anyways, I am now in the market for a drive and driven clutch along with the appropriate belt. I see there are a few options on the drive clutch, there is a roller clutch which is a little bit more expensive and what looks to be the more typical a Comet 780 clutch. I called the folks up at Carts parts plus twice, and on both occasions I have to say those people had some pretty bad attitudes. So I don't if I'm going to be dealing with them or not. Anyways, I'd like to get you guys opinions, is it worth the extra bucks to go with a TEAM Rapid Response roller clutch, or just go with the typical Comet 780 clutch? Again, the main usage will be to tow my race car around the pits, but I would also like to get as much speed out of this thing as well. Later on I will do some more mods to the motor such as valve springs and roller rockers. Hell I may even do some port work to the heads and shave em a bit for a bit more compression and I'll upgrade the carb as well. But right now I need to make a decision on a clutch. And as for as the driven clutch the rear diff has a 7/8" shaft, so I see there's a Driven Clutch for Big Block Club Car that may look to be the one to use... So that's that, and I would really appreciate you guys opinions on which way to go with the clutch. And thanks for any and all input!!!!!


Oh, and since there are lot of guys in here that like to dabble in fabrication, here's a link to my little race car project I've been building. Please keep in mind, I had never done anything like this before. Building this car was my first time ever bending a piece of tubing or even tig welding. But man, I have to say I am now hooked on fabrication!!! I have learned that we all can amaze ourselves in what we can do, that we may have thought was never ever possible.... Anyways, here link over to a build thread...

http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/sh...659&highlight=


Thanks again, and I'm looking forward for you guys opinions......

BGW

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1989Marathon

****, that's some pretty impressive fabrication. Hard to believe it's the work of a first-timer.

If you are going to use the cart primarily as a tow vehicle, and maybe even some trail riding, the 780 or 94c clutches are more than adequate.

Do you happen to know the ratio of the new rearend you bought?

BTW... didn't you ask this same question about a year ago?

Clutch Question

Streetbu

Nice 'Vette! I can only imagine what the "golf cart" will turn out like! Having no experience with either the TEAM or Comet clutch I'll bow out but look forward to some updates!

beater cart

I have a rapid response clutch so far not thrilled with it but will see after this weekend I had to clearance it a bit will see if this helps with it trying to pull thru the brakes and crazy take offs.

DaCajun

It's like 13:1. Which is a bit steeper than most gas carts 12:1 ratios. This should allow me to run some taller tires without loosing too much pulling power. So the Comet clutches huh??? What's the diameter of the Comets compared to that Team roller???

And, thanks for the compliments on the vette!!! I can assure you guys, if I can do that, anyone of you can as well. I think we all posses the capabilities, we just have to have the want. I could never afford to pay someone to build a car of that nature, so being that I wanted one I had no other choice than to get with it and try. I've made a few mistakes, but that's were you learn, right??? Again, I do appreciate the compliments and the input on the clutch decision!!!

DaCajun

Interesting!!!! Would you mind elaborating on this a bit??? Crazy take offs and pulling thru the brakes???

1989Marathon

12:1 is the overall ratio from the primary to the wheels(variable because of the clutches).
If it is an open diff, turn the input shaft on the diff and see how many turns it takes to turn one axle, one revolution, with the other axle locked down.

beater cart

It will stick and not slide back and forth to engage the belt and the more you ride it the more heat builds up the harder it would stick and try to stall down the motor.

slonomo

Dang, did you build that axle housing? Sheesh!!! There's no @#@$&**&% way I could build that, not in a million. You must have 200 hours in that beast! Awesome skills!!!

Can't wait to see your cart.

DaCajun

Oh, no!!!! No!!!! Whatever I do I don't want to ever take credit for anyone else's hard work!!! I purchased the axle housing and built it from there. That is referred to as a fabricated housing, it comes as the center section and the axle tubes and then I added on the upper and lower control arm brackets, the floater spindles and rear bracing. But even so, it's just not as easy as it sounds as it's a full floater and that **** has to be dead on for the axles to precisely fit... Man with that **** thing I learned a lot how much metal moves when welding on it. I had that **** thing setup on a jig with a 2-1/2 solid bar running thru it from end to end and it still moved!!! ****!!! That **** thing was a nightmare to put together!!!


The cart is not going to be too special as I need it to just tow my car, but I do think I'm going to build my own front suspension for it. Later on, maybe next winter I may do some more to it and make it unique. But I'll have to see how much I have on my plate at that time.

Again, thanks!!!!