2 stroke clutching issue

[birddog5]

I've got a 1980 EZ Go 2 Stroke golf cart - its a rocket ship (22 MPH) on flat ground, but can barely pull up hills without a run at it.

I'm thinking my secondary clutch is giving up too early (weak spring) and shifting out before the engine gets any power.

Problem is - they don't make those springs any longer -

Any ideas on what to try?

[sccowboy]

First check your belt width.

[birddog5]

tried the new belt - snowmobile one - cant remember the number off hand.

That one got chewed up by the rivets in the clutch in 1/2 a mile....

[sccowboy]

Could you throw a two by six across the engine bay and watch the clutches to see what they are doing while hitting the hill?

[birddog5]

probably - if these clutches were like my snowmobile, I'd tighten up the secondary and it would be a done deal - they are all select springs with compression ratios...

[Dave Box]

The answer is in post #3. The clutch is opening too wide and allowing the belt to fall into the center, where it gets ripped up. This also overgears the engine causing the lack of torque up hills. As you correctly surmise the spring in the clutch is shot. Unless you have a different clutch in there you can take it apart and either stretch the spring or shim it with some big washers.

Dave

[birddog5]

didn't think of the shim with big washers thing - tried stretching it last year and it just about broke my hand.

These clutches are such a pain to work on in comparison to the sled!

I'll tear it apart and see if I can buy something at the local hardware store to put behind it.

[racin161]

Check the primary also. I had mine stick closed and wouldn't open felt like a dog even going around the yard until I got it to open at low speed.
LOU