got lucky on pred 420 from HF for 91 club car

helix149

Got lucky and picked up a predator 420 (it was on clearance plus they honored a 25% coupon on it) from harbor freight with extended warranty on it for less than $240 out the door a couple weeks back. It happened the day after I blew the flat head (well still not sure I actually blew it as it got me home and I found a rock in the fan shroud when I pulled it). Coincidentally I bought the cart just two weeks before on the cheap knowing I may need a motor for what I am climbing with it. Anyway I was driving along after putting high torque springs in my front and rear clutches when I started losing rpms and power and limped it home. For all I know it was an oil sensor or something else but I used it as an excuse . While the swap was a pain it wasn't too bad frankly. It is now homed in a 91 cc and seems to be running good. I fabbed up the factory exhaust to run with the new motor, its not pretty but working good at the moment we will see if my trashy welds hold. I ended up using a motor plate and gen plate I bought online along with a comet clutch from same vendor.

Not real happy with shipping from this vendor and they sent both shipments signature required even when I requested specifically not to on the second one, I was willing to take the risk verse losing pay for a second time to get package and made that clear. I even called to make the order and told them if that was not an option I would find another vendor and they said no problem then sent it sig required anyway... not impressed They also charged me for parts I said I didnt want (only $10 so no biggie) HOWEVER Im glad they did on that one because I ended up using it.
This vender needs to find better shipping options and get things out the door faster in my opinion I ordered at 10 am their time monday and it didnt ship until tues afternoon causing the shipment to not arrive until the following monday instead of being in by friday so I could work on it over the weekend, but they got here and thats whats important.

Anyway off soap box... Install really wasnt too bad. Have cart running with pedal start again just need to fab up a external choke and figure out a fuel tank fix. currently gravity feeding from small tank in basket. Original pump was replaced with electric at some point and the noise is annoying not to mention WAY to much pressure so for now I will just run my tiny tank.

I cant believe how quiet the cart is its nearly as quiet as the factory setup at full speed and when putting slowly I can talk at normal volume to the passenger. Will have to check the plug in a few days and see how its doing.

I guess I just wanted to post this in case anyone is thinking about the swap and say its really not to bad. You will need basic shop tools and a welder or access to one for the exhaust. My costs were 900 ish which is still lower than a new motor by several hundred and I upgraded the clutch and hp in the process. I could have saved 250 if I would have stayed with the factory clutch and used and adapter. I also could have made my own brackets and saved another 100-150 probably but it would have been a pain and time consuming.


costs roughly:

engine 240
brackets shipped less than 250
clutch and pulley shipped 300
longer belt 50

BGW

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

helix149

Well after a day ish of driving I think I found everything I left loose .

Welds holding on the exhaust BUT pipe isnt lol cracked at bend guess I will be looking into a piece of flex pipe so it can move a little more...

Top end is crappy (12-14 mph ... 18" knobbys on the rear) with the factory gov installed but dont really want to remove it as I have a lead foot. After some break in time may adjust it just a hair since I noticed the belt only riding about half way up the new comet clutch, its supposed to be for a 1 inch belt so I am guessing im just not pushing enough rpm to get it closed enough at roughly 3800 rpm from the factory. It is a torqey little ******* now though

slonomo

The primary clutch should fully engage by 2000 rpm. If you are running 3800 and it's only engaged 50% there is a problem. Likely an issue with the secondary clutch. Are you running a high torque spring in the secondary? This will also affect speed.

helix149

I am still running the high torque in the secondary but why would that effect the engagement of the primary?
\
I am climbing mountains literally in east tn so I need the cart to have good torque more than I need speed but 12-14 miles an hour is just flat slow for a cart

helix149

I think I see what you are saying now that I thought about it for a minute. Basically what may be happening is with the high torque in the secondary its strength is over powering the spring in the primary/drive clutch and not allowing it to fully engage.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

turn-n-burn

Basically yes. Your hi torque in the rear is overriding the pressure applied by the primary. Take it out and you should be good!

Streetbu

I tried the high torque spring, Ended up removing it and going back to the stock secondary spring. The 420 makes more torque than the stock engine and it's not needed.

helix149

Thanks guys if the rain stops I may give that a shot later today

slonomo

Take the drive belt off and start the engine. Rev it up a few times while you watch the primary clutch. If it fully engages then it should be working properly. Move on to the secondary spring and return it to stock. If the primary does not engage fully, the problem could be in the primary. Remove it and disassemble for inspection.

sho305

My clone stock would run about 4500 rpm. HD springs and timing key are cheap then you can run it higher rpm no problems, though I'd not recommend running roads or any long distance with it pinned. Next step is a rod and then cam. But you should be able to pull larger tires or gears now with no problems its a better way to gain speed than screaming the engine unless the engine is built up. The stock rod does not oil well at high rpm they say 6K is the limit and dont stay there long, but hard to hit 6k with stock cam anyway I sure can't with 22s on flat paved road. Did manage 38mph gps so far. But thats a yamaha and CC clutches are different don't know what ratio you have compared to mine. Changing my clutch setup can change the top rpm I see, I am still working on mine though I admit I don't really need to hit 38 on this thing lol it really blows your hair back and I only do that for testing.

Most people pull the heavy springs in the secondaries with a larger engine as you often don't need them with the extra power. You want to make sure your clutches shift out all the way, mark them with marker inside and see where the belt takes the marker off to see how high the belt runs. Some CC clutches you can mod.