1987 Marathon drive clutch will not fully engage

nunezjx

Hey guys, newbie here. Been working on this 1987 marathon 2 cycle gas cart with a Robbins engine. The engine starts and sounds like it runs fine. It will only go about 2 mph forward and it seems a little faster in reverse. I can see the drive clutch moving in and out with engine acceleration/deceleration, it just seems like the belt does not fully engage on the drive clutch. It only moves up the drive clutch about an inch. I have taken the belt off of the drive clutch and it will fully close with acceleration. I can push in manually on the drive clutch and it will snap back open on its own without snagging. I have a similar cart that as trashed motor and have exchaneged the drive and driven clutches, and it still does the same thing. The driven clutch seems to be good with the appropriate amount of movement between the plates as you twist them in opposite directions. How do you tell if it is the drive clutch verses not enough rpms from the motor? When I took the belt off and max the throttle the motor will backfire as it reaches full throttle. Just want to be sure it is the clutch before coughing up the $300. Can those clutches be rebuilt? I opened the drive clutches and I could not see anything obviously broken or missing. Thoughts. How do I tell if the drive clutch is bad?

BGW

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cart around

How wide is your drive belt? A new one is 1 3/16" wide

93yellowclubcar

I'm thinking one of two problems, either belt too wide or belt too long, maybe both...

nunezjx

Thanks guys for the input. These carts are both inherited so I don't know the history. Will do some more research on the correct size belts and let you guys know. Thanks for your help!

socoj2

Pull the brake pedal. I bet its not full disengaged. and you are basically driving around with the brake partial engaged.

Morgan44

I would think we are talking about an rpm problem with the info you have given. Any way to post a video of the engine bay, with rear wheels on jack stands, running? Does the driven open when the drive closes?

socoj2

if you look at my post history you will see a post with the EXACT same issue. i bought new clutch never installed it. Pulled the lid off mined sprayed brake cleaner all around it and then discovered my brake pedal wasnt releasing the whole way...

nunezjx

Finally got around to attempt to finishing the project. I have a 1 3/16 45 inch belt. I put the cart on a jack and can see the clutch fully engage and ride up the drive pully and down the driven pully. I tried it on forward and the belt does not move like it is suppose to. Bad clutch? I have taken the drive and driven clutch off and made sure they move like they are supposed to and made sure they are lubricated down the shaft. The rear wheels definitely turn faster while in reverse. Any suggestions?

cart around

Does it sound like the engine is making good power?

I don't like that it backfired at high speed. That could be fuel starvation.

nunezjx

It sounds like it is making good power. Refreshed the gas after that post. I can back up a trailer ramp but can not go forward up the same ramp. Seems if it was a rpm or motor issue it would act the same in forward or reverse correct?