G1 Drive Clutch!

smokindawg

This is a question about the drive clutch. (The one on the engine) I drove my cart after first getting it running and found that the belt isn't going far up the clutch sheave at all. In other words the clutch isn't working correctly.

Today I took it apart and took it off to start replacing the crank seals.

When I took the large center bolt out and removed the outer cover with the weights in it I noticed that this part has been spinning. When I got it off I noticed that the shaft is splined but there aren't any in the cover.

Should the outer cover be splined as well so that this cover doesn't spin on the shaft?

I don't want to put it together if it won't work correctly once I'm finished.

I do have another parts cart and it has what I think is a good clutch on it if this one does turn out to be bad. I may just pull the cover off it tomorrow (If the weather isn't too bad) and see how it's made.

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

Field6565

Everything sounds correct.... A lot of the time these old clutches get dirt/dust in them and no longer work as they should. I would clean it up and lightly grease everything including the shaft. Right now it sounds like the clutch is not engaging completely. It's a common problem. How wide is the belt?

smokindawg

I'll have to measure the belt. How wide should it be?

The cover with the weights doesn't have splines then?

The weights and pads in the cover all look good with very little wear and that was my thought, to just clean it all up good and put a little grease on all the moving parts to make it work better.

Field6565

Anything over 1 inch will be acceptable for a non lifted cart. If I remember correctly a new belt is 1 3/16 wide. I don't recall if that outer cover had splines on it....someone else will chime in on this.

smokindawg

Also thought I'd mention that I made the bolt for removing the clutch.

Finding a bolt long enough and with the correct thread here in the middle of no where is impossible.

So I took a 9/16 Fine 18 thread tap and retapped the threads in the end of the clutch shaft. I then went to the farm supply and bought an 8" 5/8" bolt. I brought it home and went to work with my lathe cutting all the right sizes and length on that bolt. I finished it by using a die to cut the 9/16 thread.

The bolt worked perfectly and removed the clutch easily so that I could get to the crank seal. I also think it's made from a much harder bolt than some of the ones that can be purchased.

Only cost me less than $3 and a little time.

Field6565

There should be splines in the middle of this cover.

Attached Images

$_3.JPG (60.1 KB, 0 views)

slonomo

If the removable outer cover doesn't have spines, it's done. Probably was not tightly installed at some point and it rounded off the splines. At this point you can get a different cover, prob used. Or you can replace the whole clutch. Remember, use only clutches with the 30mm taper, and the offset of the center hub on the clutch must match up or the inner pulley/sheave will rub the engine. Some sled clutches will work, but buying blindly is risky.

I recommend just finding a good used G1 clutch.

slonomo

Good pic! Look at the center of the outer cover, it should have the splines. If not, it's no good.

smokindawg

Ok, thanks guys. That's what I had figured as soon as I saw the outside cover was spinning.

I do have another complete cart. I bought it from a member here and wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. Guess I know what I'm doing with it now. It's going to become a parts cart.

There are other parts that I can use from it for mine anyway. And I'm sure I can provide parts for other peoples needs as well.

Field6565

Slo, I have never seen or heard of a clutch being so worn out that the splines were rounded off. Wow!