01-10-2021, 03:38 PM | #1 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 4
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EZGO ST350 Motor Swap
New to the golf cart world and recently picked up a 97 ST350 with dump bed. Appears to have a blown motor, shows no oil pressure and sounds like it has a knock when trying to start. I believe the cheapest/easiest will be to swap to a 440cc Duromax motor, but not exactly sure what all I would need. From looking, I believe I’ll need a motor mount plate and should be able to use most everything thing else from stock parts.
Help would be appreciated. |
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01-10-2021, 04:08 PM | #2 |
Searching for The Way
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Medina, Ohio (NEOHIO)
Posts: 11,441
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Re: EZGO ST350 Motor Swap
Go to the Big Block section, much more info there. Those EZGO's have tons of room in the engine compartment so a 440 engine would fit nicely.
Check out the Vegas Carts site in the site sponsors page. The kits there will give you an idea of what you need. I don't think they'll have a kit for that model year, but all the other components will be the same. For Key Start (like a car): 1. Engine 2. Engine mount plate 3. Primary clutch 4. Belt 5. Ignition switch 6. Wiring and fuses For Starter/Gen: Add a V pulley behind the clutch To Use Stock Primary Clutch: You'll need a clutch adapter and you have to cut the crankshaft down and drill and tap the center for the clutch bolt. I'm not a fan of this route, but if you must, it is possible. Stock clutches aren't tuned right for the big block engine. Also if the crank isn't done properly and the adapter isn't spaced and tightened down properly, the clutch can slip. |
01-10-2021, 06:25 PM | #3 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: NC
Posts: 773
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Re: EZGO ST350 Motor Swap
As for oil pressure, generally need it to start to generate pressure to activate the sensor and kill the light...The knock is possibly just a loose rod bolt. They have a tendency to loosen up and back out on their own, usually causing a failed rod. You could pull the plugs out, and turn it over by hand slowly and with a flashlight, see if the pistons are moving up and down. If not, its a broken rod. If you are going to remove the engine for a swap, might as well split the case and take a look see at the condition of the rods. Direct replacement should be under $800 with delivery if you buy a rebuilt replacement and send in your core. For someone never having done one, a long afternoon to remove and replace an engine...no more than a day. Depending on what you do to it, and if the case and internals are good enough for a rebuild, under $300 if you do it yourself. I've rebuilt a 295 (identical to yours except displacement) and done a Predator 670 swap with the Vegas carts kit. With a swap, you will end up with a loud cart. The options are endless with your cart though, and only limited by your budget, skills, and what you want out of it.
Good luck. |
01-16-2021, 03:11 PM | #4 | |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 4
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Re: EZGO ST350 Motor Swap
Quote:
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01-16-2021, 03:16 PM | #5 | |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 4
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Re: EZGO ST350 Motor Swap
Quote:
Long story short, I got the cart from my brother-in-law who is a dealer for John Deere. He took it in on trade for next to nothing and was told it did not run/was seized. It is not seized as I can turn it over by hand. |
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01-16-2021, 03:31 PM | #6 |
Searching for The Way
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Medina, Ohio (NEOHIO)
Posts: 11,441
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Re: EZGO ST350 Motor Swap
Yep you won't know what's making the sound until you take it apart, but something isn't right. Any bolt that might be loose can be tightened, but you have to ask what damage/wear has occurred and for how long? Who knows right? That's the problem.
Doing an engine rebuild is not difficult work, but it is highly technical. If you don't have any experience with this type of engine, be prepared to get a factory repair manual and read everything....twice. I just sent the same engine you have out to a rebuilder in Georgia. With a new crank, pistons, connecting rods, and machining and labor....it's going to cost just over $1000. But....the end product will be stock, quiet, and very drivable. I got the cart for $400 so it's worth the cost for me. I couldn't buy a running driving cart for $1400 let alone one with a rebuilt engine with a warranty. And, there will be no fabrication involved or guesswork to get it installed and running. Bolt it in and go. Consider it. A 670 swap is not going to be easy unless you get a full install kit, but now you're talking about big money. Yes, you'll have more power. Doing the engine swap on a small budget is not a good recipe for success. It "can" be done, but it's not easy. I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other. Only trying to tell you the truth about each option. Once you have gathered all the facts, only you can decide what you are capable of and what you really want to do. |
01-16-2021, 03:33 PM | #7 | |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: NC
Posts: 773
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Re: EZGO ST350 Motor Swap
Quote:
Robbin engine manual.pdf It gives pretty detailed instructions on how to disassemble, evaluate (verify if parts are to spec or not), and re-assemble. Search this forum for others that have re-built these 295 and 350 engines, and pay attention to what the "Guru's" offer. Things like re-using original o-rings at the oil pump and top of the case, as the ones that come with the re-build kits don't fit properly, and cause oil pressure issues, or verifying the bearing journals on the crank are within spec, as the engine will loose oil pressure at the rod when it heats up if the journal is out of spec. Good luck and let us know how it goes. |
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01-16-2021, 03:59 PM | #8 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Aiken, SC
Posts: 13,173
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Re: EZGO ST350 Motor Swap
If it matters I believe the st350 is a long wheel base txt aka workhorse with a 4” lift. Engine cradle is the same as a txt but pushed back roughly 11 inches. Following because my Robbins is aging. I live about an hour from the company slo is using so I need to call them as well.
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01-16-2021, 04:39 PM | #9 | |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: NC
Posts: 773
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Re: EZGO ST350 Motor Swap
Quote:
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01-16-2021, 10:47 PM | #10 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Aiken, SC
Posts: 13,173
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Re: EZGO ST350 Motor Swap
Ezgo actually sells a kit to do this. Includes the motor, rear transaxle and all the other goodies to switch to the newer version as well as going from electric to gas.
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Tags |
420cc 440cc st350 clone |
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