Installing the new clutch on the Go-Kart project may seem difficult, but in fact, the procedure is really easy. In this guide, we’ll go through the installation procedure of clutches that make use of bolts for being installed.

There are some clutches that make use of set-screws, but the top clutches nowadays have just lock washers and a bolt. If you are installing the brand new clutch onto the new engine, then there are only four steps involved:

  • Grease or Oil the bushing of your clutch
  • Insert a ¾ inches spacer or washers on your Crankshaft
  • Put the Clutch into your Crankshaft by aligning the clutch key and the slot in your shaft
  • Tighten the bolt

If you are changing your clutch on a rummage-sale engine or installing a rummage-sale clutch, then there are two additional steps:

  • Cleaning your crankshaft: Make certain to take out all the burrs on your crankshaft with the aid of sandpaper or a file.
  • Applying the anti-seize: It’ll stop galling (wear triggered by Adhesion) and make disassembly simple. Since a few clutches don’t make use of the brass bushing, the contact between the shaft and clutch is direct metal to metal, and these lubricants are needed to stop wear. You can also do so on a new engine if you would want to.

And then the same steps as installing the new clutch. If you are getting confused, do not be anxious; just keep reading.

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Step-By-Step Guide On Installing The Clutch:

Grease Or Oil The Bushing Of Your Clutch:

The clutches that you get from the package are dry, so it’s highly suggested to oil or grease your clutch before you make use of it. It’s not a must-do because you can lubricate your clutch after the first use when your clutch is already heated up, but still better to oil before using.

  • Take out the snap ring: you can do so using a snap ring plier or two flat screwdrivers.
  • Remove the clutch’s drum part: Once the ring is removed, you can simply remove the drum.
  • Lubricate the bushing with two to three drops of oil: don’t put the grease or oil in the clutch shoes or the drum; just lubricate the bushing, and if you have a little grease, then put a little on the spacer/washer, which is present in between the spider and the drum.
  • Reassemble your clutch, simply put back all the components together, and make certain to put the washer back on between the spider and drum; otherwise, your clutch will make sounds. Don’t disassemble other components of your clutch; the spring can be difficult to put back on.

Things to remember throughout the procedure:

  • The oil and the grease ought not to reach the shoes or the drum of your clutch.
  • While removing the snap ring, put on the safety glass for protecting your eyes from the snap ring.

Installing The Washer/Spacer:

If you have purchased a clutch that leaves spacing in between the engine and the clutch, then you will have to fill in the additional space using some ¾ inches washers or a spacer. The clutch has to be aligned with the axle; otherwise, its chains will go off while driving. Some ¾ inches washers together will do the work for the 212 Predator engine, or you can search for the correct sized ¾ inches spacer.

Putting The Clutch Onto Your Crankshaft:

It’s pretty easy to align the key in your clutch using the slot in your shaft; you’ll not require any additional key since your new clutches have a key pre-installed in them. If the engine already has the preinstalled keyway in your crankshaft, then you will have to remove it. One question that frequently comes up is whether you can install your clutch so that your sprocket is inwards. Yes, you actually can. Simply keep the placement with the axle right.

Tighten The Bolts:

And now, lastly, you can simply go ahead and tighten the bolt and the washers you receive with your clutch kit. You can make use of a flathead screwdriver to keep your engine from moving while tightening.

The majority of the new clutches don’t have a set screw and are held onto your shaft using the bolt. But if you have the older clutch with set screws, then you will have to tighten the set screw to fix your clutch.

Clutch Maintenance For Longer Life:

The clutch maintenance is very significant, you ought to be oiled after each two to three rides, or you’ll end up throwing your clutch after some use.

Oiling Your Clutch:

The main thing to remember about oiling is after use, not before using. If you oil your clutch after utilizing your clutch, when it’s hot, the oil gets sucked in simply, while if you oil it before using, the oil will simply fly off when you start your engine, and your clutch engages.

So, How To Oil?

Once you are done riding the minibike or go-kart, and your clutch is hot, here is what you have to do:

  • Locate a small space behind the snap ring of your clutch
  • Put three to four drops of oil

What Not To Do?

Don’t ever put the oil in from the clutch’s drum holes; such holes are there for letting the heated airs get out; if you put oil through there, the clutch’s shoes will begin to slip. Slippage in the clutch causes much heating, and the clutch will become unusable.

The lubricant ought to only be utilized inside the brass bushing. Don’t oil your clutch before using; similar to the chain, the hot clutch will infuse the oil, and the cold clutch will spit it out as soon as it engages.

Which Oil To Make Use Of?

Don’t make use of any synthetic oil, anything with Teflon or silicone can ruin your clutch because they’re anti-friction ingredients. 30W petroleum-based oil is perfect for your clutches.

Selecting The Correct Clutch Size:

If you are having any sort of problem with installation, then simply check if your clutch is compatible with the engine or not.

Note: If you have already purchased the right-sized clutch, skip this part.

There are three things to remember during deciding on the clutch to purchase:

  • Bore size
  • Number of teeth on your sprocket
  • Distance between clutch’s sprocket teeth

Bore Size:

If you are utilizing the Predator 212 engine, the ¾ inches Bore Clutch will fit effortlessly for the engine. Other than that, it’s also compatible with GX200 Briggs and Stratton, Honda GC 190, GC 160, GX 140, 120, and 160.

For the Predator 420, the bore size required is 5/8 inches. Other than that, if you are utilizing a diverse engine, you can learn the shaft size of your engine in their user manual or an easy Google search or measure it yourself.

Sprocket Teeth:

Selecting the correct amount of teeth in the sprocket is very significant; if you end up selecting a 14T clutch and just have 60T in the Axle sprocket, the clutch may begin to smoke after using. It is generally suggested to keep your Gear ratio near 1:6 if the tire size is around 13 inches.

The Gear ratio is = the teeth number in your clutch sprocket / the number of teeth in the axle sprocket. For the longer life of your clutch, keep the ratio near 1:6, or you may have to change the total weight or the tire size.

Distance Between Sprocket Teeth:

It’ll be determined by the chain type you can use. If you are utilizing a #35 chain, then you require the distance between two teeth to be 3/8 inches; for the #40, 41, and 420 chains, the distance needed is ½ inches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Go-Kart Clutch Sparking, What To Do?

If your clutch is releasing sparks, the shoe’s slippage is high, causing your clutch to heat. Here are some reasons it happens:

  • Hp of the engine really high for your clutch: Make certain to make use of the correct clutch for the engine
  • The tire is really big for the gear ratio: If you are utilizing a large tire, then make certain to decrease its gearing with it; for a normal thirteen inches tires, keep its gear ratio close to 1:6, for instance, if you are utilizing the 14T sprocket on the 60T Axle, its gear ratio will overheat a fifteen inches tire Go-kart.
  • Bad quality clutch: If you have corrected its gear ratio for your tire and the issue still persists, then it is the clutch quality that is bad.
  • Too much weight

Why Does My Go-Kart Take Off When I Start It?

It’ll happen if your clutch never disengages from your engine. If your clutch isn’t disengaging, then it’s suffered a little heat damage; that’s one big reason to lubricate your clutch regularly. The other reason can be that the engine is idling really high; you can lower its idle speed by simply adjusting the idle screw of the carburetor.

A Few Other Habits That Can Ruin The Clutch

  • Oiling the clutch’s drum portion
  • Shortstop driving and driving really slowly
  • Foot on the brake when you are driving.