What would you do?

dirttoo · 04-07-2013, 09:00 AM

I have an '89 G2 in decent shape. I bought it non-running from a friend of a friend. I found a terminal broke off of the solenoid so I replaced that. Is started and ran terrible and made a metal to metal scraping noise. It barely drove down the street and didn't have enough power to drive up the ramp onto the trailer. My question is... Is it worth putting a clone motor or fixing the original? I don't care to go fast, I will probably only used in the pits the race track but it has to run and be dependable. Anybody near me want to work on it? I'm in Moline, IL. OR I may just sell it and get a different one. Thanks

essness · 04-07-2013, 09:44 AM

Dirtt, to replace the motor will be about the same price with the clone or a OE rebuilt. The performance on the clone will be significantly better but it will be louder and require some engineering/fab work. If you rebuild the one you have (assuming it's rebuildable) you could increase it's performance and only spend about half of the replacement costs...........
Those carts and motors are overall pretty solid and with a rebuild should last for years when maintained properly.

sho305 · 04-07-2013, 11:46 AM

Make sure it is the engine not the primary clutch, they can make nasty noises when broken. I don't know how you get more power out of a stock engine in those, or enough to notice anyway. Last I knew it was at least 600 to get a rebuild (not just rings, it will likely need bored and piston to run like new). Some the case gets worn and the cam/balance shaft starts to knock you can't get rid of that as they don't have bearings. The clone is a project to put in, you have to fab exhaust/motor mounts/controls hookup/little wiring/maybe airbox/etc. You can buy a 15hp 420 for $300 so they are much cheaper, still cheaper if you have an exhaust made and such (under 100). Technically you can buy a new primary clutch and clone for less than a full rebuilt stock engine. The 420 (or a 440 now available) have around double the power. It may be harder to fit a clone in an unlifted cart but is doable. A rebuilt would be easy you can swap the engine in half an hour or something taking your time. You might be able to put new rings in it depending on what is broken and get it running for a 2-3 hundred or less hard to say. They are bulletproof and usually when they go they are shot and need bored. You might find the smaller 390cc clone cheaper but usually not much. You can use the stock gen to start it and run like stock, or get an electric start clone but the belt can drag at idle on stock clutch and clone does not charge much only 3A. Geoff is going to get an 18A kit he says, that would be nice.

dirttoo · 04-07-2013, 12:51 PM

Ok, Well this cart had sat about a year before I got it. I guess I was assuming it wasn't needing a major rebuild. It does run and not smoke just runs bad. I was told to check compression. I have a tester but what should the compression be? Also I will drain the gas and refill with fresh. I was told it won't run without the proper air cleaner and this one is original but looks kind of cobbled on there. Does the box and boot need to be perfect just to run? I need to have this going good by May 1st or I will sell it and get a different one. It looks like I can part it out for more than I can sell it for. I would really like it fixed though.

dirttoo · 04-07-2013, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sho305

Make sure it is the engine not the primary clutch, they can make nasty noises when broken. I don't know how you get more power out of a stock engine in those, or enough to notice anyway. Last I knew it was at least 600 to get a rebuild (not just rings, it will likely need bored and piston to run like new). Some the case gets worn and the cam/balance shaft starts to knock you can't get rid of that as they don't have bearings. The clone is a project to put in, you have to fab exhaust/motor mounts/controls hookup/little wiring/maybe airbox/etc. You can buy a 15hp 420 for $300 so they are much cheaper, still cheaper if you have an exhaust made and such (under 100). Technically you can buy a new primary clutch and clone for less than a full rebuilt stock engine. The 420 (or a 440 now available) have around double the power. It may be harder to fit a clone in an unlifted cart but is doable. A rebuilt would be easy you can swap the engine in half an hour or something taking your time. You might be able to put new rings in it depending on what is broken and get it running for a 2-3 hundred or less hard to say. They are bulletproof and usually when they go they are shot and need bored. You might find the smaller 390cc clone cheaper but usually not much. You can use the stock gen to start it and run like stock, or get an electric start clone but the belt can drag at idle on stock clutch and clone does not charge much only 3A. Geoff is going to get an 18A kit he says, that would be nice.

I did take the cover off the clutch and saw no obvious problems. I'm guessing a problem at one time because it was a dent out like something inside came apart. I did take the drive belt off and it made the same sound. It did get quieter over time but is still there. If I choose the clone route can I use my clutch? belt? gas tank? Thanks for the help.

dirttoo · 04-07-2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by essness

Dirtt, to replace the motor will be about the same price with the clone or a OE rebuilt. The performance on the clone will be significantly better but it will be louder and require some engineering/fab work. If you rebuild the one you have (assuming it's rebuildable) you could increase it's performance and only spend about half of the replacement costs...........
Those carts and motors are overall pretty solid and with a rebuild should last for years when maintained properly.

Where do I find a replacement motor?

sho305 · 04-07-2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirttoo

I did take the cover off the clutch and saw no obvious problems. I'm guessing a problem at one time because it was a dent out like something inside came apart. I did take the drive belt off and it made the same sound. It did get quieter over time but is still there. If I choose the clone route can I use my clutch? belt? gas tank? Thanks for the help.

Yes you can. You can pump a little grease in the clutch and see if it changes, indicating a bad bushing in the center. But you could tilt the outer clutch a little if it was and that rattles or knocks when running. If its in the engine the shafts run in the cover on the side, but clutch is close to engine you might not get something there to listen to it. It sounds like a rod knock sort of.

Clone you can get at maxtool, home depot online, harbor freight, carolstream are common places. It just takes time to fabricate stuff for it, fit exhaust, make the cables work, etc.

gray horse · 04-09-2013, 06:57 AM

Welcome Dirttoo from a fellow Quad Citian. Clone motors can be picked up for a fairly decent price but the swap will require some fab work. Not a hard job but can be time consuming. Not sure on the rebuild, I've got a clone in mine, but shouldn't be that hard.

You run dirt up at E. Moline?

04-07-2013, 09:00 AM	#1
dirttoo Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Quad Cities, IL Posts: 45	What would you do? I have an '89 G2 in decent shape. I bought it non-running from a friend of a friend. I found a terminal broke off of the solenoid so I replaced that. Is started and ran terrible and made a metal to metal scraping noise. It barely drove down the street and didn't have enough power to drive up the ramp onto the trailer. My question is... Is it worth putting a clone motor or fixing the original? I don't care to go fast, I will probably only used in the pits the race track but it has to run and be dependable. Anybody near me want to work on it? I'm in Moline, IL. OR I may just sell it and get a different one. Thanks

04-07-2013, 09:44 AM	#2
essness Not your usual outlaw Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Near Lake Geneva, WI Posts: 20,054	Re: What would you do? Dirtt, to replace the motor will be about the same price with the clone or a OE rebuilt. The performance on the clone will be significantly better but it will be louder and require some engineering/fab work. If you rebuild the one you have (assuming it's rebuildable) you could increase it's performance and only spend about half of the replacement costs........... Those carts and motors are overall pretty solid and with a rebuild should last for years when maintained properly.

04-07-2013, 11:46 AM	#3
sho305 Vegas modded 420 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: West MI Posts: 15,445	Re: What would you do? Make sure it is the engine not the primary clutch, they can make nasty noises when broken. I don't know how you get more power out of a stock engine in those, or enough to notice anyway. Last I knew it was at least 600 to get a rebuild (not just rings, it will likely need bored and piston to run like new). Some the case gets worn and the cam/balance shaft starts to knock you can't get rid of that as they don't have bearings. The clone is a project to put in, you have to fab exhaust/motor mounts/controls hookup/little wiring/maybe airbox/etc. You can buy a 15hp 420 for $300 so they are much cheaper, still cheaper if you have an exhaust made and such (under 100). Technically you can buy a new primary clutch and clone for less than a full rebuilt stock engine. The 420 (or a 440 now available) have around double the power. It may be harder to fit a clone in an unlifted cart but is doable. A rebuilt would be easy you can swap the engine in half an hour or something taking your time. You might be able to put new rings in it depending on what is broken and get it running for a 2-3 hundred or less hard to say. They are bulletproof and usually when they go they are shot and need bored. You might find the smaller 390cc clone cheaper but usually not much. You can use the stock gen to start it and run like stock, or get an electric start clone but the belt can drag at idle on stock clutch and clone does not charge much only 3A. Geoff is going to get an 18A kit he says, that would be nice.

04-07-2013, 12:51 PM	#4
dirttoo Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Quad Cities, IL Posts: 45	Re: What would you do? Ok, Well this cart had sat about a year before I got it. I guess I was assuming it wasn't needing a major rebuild. It does run and not smoke just runs bad. I was told to check compression. I have a tester but what should the compression be? Also I will drain the gas and refill with fresh. I was told it won't run without the proper air cleaner and this one is original but looks kind of cobbled on there. Does the box and boot need to be perfect just to run? I need to have this going good by May 1st or I will sell it and get a different one. It looks like I can part it out for more than I can sell it for. I would really like it fixed though.

04-09-2013, 06:57 AM	#8
gray horse Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Colona, Illinois Posts: 473	Re: What would you do? Welcome Dirttoo from a fellow Quad Citian. Clone motors can be picked up for a fairly decent price but the swap will require some fab work. Not a hard job but can be time consuming. Not sure on the rebuild, I've got a clone in mine, but shouldn't be that hard. You run dirt up at E. Moline?

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