G1 Clone Build: Vegas Carts 440

[slonomo]

It's official!

At the conclusion of the Enticer 250 build, I realized that one fellow cart enthusiast had predicted the outcome correctly. The Enticer engine was not what I wanted. Thanks 1989Marathon! I shoulda listened to you back then. But as stubborn as I am, I had to try.

While the Enticer 250 setup was good, it wasn't great. Maybe it's just me and my hunger for torque, but this engine just didn't have any low end. So now that I am well broken in with the engine projects.....might as well start another....

Enter: The Vegas Carts 440

[slonomo]

Now that I went through one build, I know that I need to do some better planning. Mostly info gathering. So let me now plug all the clone builds that helped me in my research and say "Thank You" to those who ventured into the clone abyss before me....in no particular order

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/clone...e-arrived.html

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/clone...ld-thread.html

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/clone...tor-build.html

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/clone...346-build.html

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/clone...eye-candy.html

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/membe...ect-geep1.html

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/clone...-clone-bb.html

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/gas-y...cs-thread.html

Again, these threads are the ones that I have been reading that have helped me the most. Thanks guys!

[slonomo]

First thing's first. I had to score a 4 cycle rear end, since the G1 trans doesn't have reverse. So I was looking for a G2-G9 rear end.....and found one. After I went and bought it, I ran into a guy who drag races wheel stander carts with 70 plus hp.....what rear end does he use???? G2! Yeah! So he has confirmed that these rear ends are tough and hold up well to abuse. That's good news for me.

I actually scored the whole G2 cart, so my plan is to use the G2 swing arm, lengthen it by 7 inches, and mount the 440 to that. Then I know the rear end will bolt right in.

[slonomo]

Got the 440 via FedEx this week. Tore open the box like a 6 year old on Christmas morning! It was very exciting!!!!

[slonomo]

I got the valved lapped. It's hard to see in the crappy photo, but you can see the dull area in the second valve photo. I didn't have to lap it for very long, maybe 2-3 minutes of actual spinning time.

I also attempted to drill and tap the carb isolator to install the 1/8 nipple for the pulse line. Didn't go so well. The funny thing is that I totally read Geoff's thread where he says they break all the time. Shoulda just ponied up $15 for the ready to roll model....

[slonomo]

Man did I have a heck of a time getting the valve keepers installed! Tried it with the head installed and put some rope in the cyl. Didn't work. Tried to muscle them on....no go. Finally found a special tool.....an adjustable wrench. Used the open end to push down on the spring retainer, and had enough room under the wrench to get my fat fingers in there to sneak the keepers in. A video of this would have been pretty funny.....I sounded like a drunk sailor! Anyway I got em in there.....and got the engine assembled.

I noticed before I assembled the head to the engine, that there was a little "booger" on the head surface. It looks like the head was sitting against the carb bolt during shipping. It was all wrapped up in plastic, but the carb bolts weren't wrapped up. It appears that there are thread marks. I'll have to let Geoff know. I wonder if this will affect anything? It doesn't seem to be in a critical spot? Any thoughts?

[slonomo]

My next job is to get the G2 swing arm lengthened. I have it cut. I have the measurements from the G1 swing arm. I want to make the overall length about 4 inches longer than the G1 unit. The G2 is 3 inches shorter, so a 7" stretch sounds good to me.

What do you all think? Should I weld a new tube "over" the swing arm tube? Or should I slip a new tube "inside" and weld it up? Also, should I do any plug welds at the ends of the "new" tube, as well as the full weld at the seams?

I don't have access to any DOM steel tubing, I guess I could always order it. The G2 tube looks like 1/8" wall 2" tubing. I was actually thinking of going with welded steel pipe? It's 3x thicker than the DOM, so I would think it to be plenty strong enough?

[turn-n-burn]

Looking good man! I can't wait to see what these engines put down. I ordered mine a couple weeks ago, full build with the rod, rockers, cam , etc. Thought it was gonna be herewWednesday but FedEx let it sit at the dock cause the package was oil stained. Not to mention they never told Geoff. Ugh. Thanks a lot tho Geoff! Can't wait to throw some roost when I get it in the cc!

[bokeasmowl]

Looks great Slo. Definitely do some plug welds, just a little added assurance and weld up the seams solid. Can't wait to see how the performance is. I'll be watching for sure.

[slonomo]

Originally Posted by turn-n-burn

Looking good man! I can't wait to see what these engines put down. I ordered mine a couple weeks ago, full build with the rod, rockers, cam , etc. Thought it was gonna be herewWednesday but FedEx let it sit at the dock cause the package was oil stained. Not to mention they never told Geoff. Ugh. Thanks a lot tho Geoff! Can't wait to throw some roost when I get it in the cc!

Wow, so you got the 30hp version? Did you get it as a kit? Or did you get it assembled? I thought about the cam, rod, rockers, and head work.....but it's not in the budget yet. I'll get this going first, get it working good. Then I'll add parts later. It looks like these engines come apart really easily with the side cover design. Should be fun!

One things for sure.....there's gonna be a lot of really fast golf carts this spring!