Can I put a different spring in the Drive clutch?

[GoTeeMan]

Maybe I am just too lazy (more likely the truth) but did I read somewhere that you can change the spring or shim the spring to get the drive clutch to open sooner as the RPM falls. My problem is that when I start to climb a hill I have to wait for the cart so slow to a crawl for the clutch to open and be able to gain RPM and then I climb the hill just fine. I have tried the go fast and run up the hill till you lose speed technique but then I still have to wait for the clutch to open just farther up the hill.

I have switched to the requisite shorter belt -Gates 6098- but also have 22" tires so I was hoping for maybe a little more climbing ability.

Any more advice?

Granted I have not been back on the hill in question since the belt change but I was just trying to be proactive before I get back to the campground next season.

[Dave Box]

Hi GoTeeMan,

I hope that the shorter belt does work for you I sure solved all of my hill climbing issues better than I hoped.
In the meantime have you seen this?

http://www.krisdillon.com/buggy/

It looks interesting. I was going to do it on the clutch I replaced from my 86. The problem is that as hard as I look it seems to be pressed together with no way to get it apart. I guess somethings were meant not to be.
All the best
Dave

[blake80]

Pull the clutch and send it to tom at cpp. He is a site sponsor that machines and changes the spring for less than $100. Im sending mine to him today.

[pachanga90]

Remove the cover and shim the spring(under the spring,not against the cover) with a hardened washer 3/16"-1/4".You will notice a big difference in take-off/climbing power.I did mine 2 yrs ago and still have the stock belt on it.Also you can shim the driven about the same and also remove the shim between the sheaves so it closes more and gives a lower gear ratio.Hope this helps.

[GoTeeMan]

Thanks pachanga90, I will look into that. It would seem to make sense to make the clutch re-open sooner to allow quicker "shifting". Thanks

[pachanga90]

What shimming the Drive-Clutch does is raise engagement rpm and slow the overall engagement so that it remains in "Low-Gear" longer.By shimming the Driven-Clutch you are delaying upshift to"High" there-by increasing low-end.The Drive-Clutch is the the most noticable seat-of -thepants improvement,you will notice a big difference immediately.I've never tried the shorter belt so i don't know about combined results,but this winter,things are changing(except the style of motor).Hope this helps.

[EZ-GoingJon]

Originally Posted by pachanga90

What shimming the Drive-Clutch does is raise engagement rpm and slow the overall engagement so that it remains in "Low-Gear" longer.By shimming the Driven-Clutch you are delaying upshift to"High" there-by increasing low-end.The Drive-Clutch is the the most noticable seat-of -thepants improvement,you will notice a big difference immediately.I've never tried the shorter belt so i don't know about combined results,but this winter,things are changing(except the style of motor).Hope this helps.

Pachanga,

Not to beat a dead horse here, but can you give me a little more info on shimming the drive clutch? I put 22" tires on my cart, and lost ALOT of low end!

Thanks Brother!!

Jon

[pachanga90]

Remove the center-bolt,and cover-screws.Add a 3/16"-1/4" washer under the spring.Reassemble and enjoy.You will feel the difference immediately.

[EZ-GoingJon]

I may have to give that a try! I lost alot of take-off with the bigger tires!

Jon