| Last time we discussed the vertical engine and the | | | | definitely a must on a go kart with inexperienced |
| issues you will have when considering using a vertical | | | | drivers. |
| engine. Bottom line is that it is highly difficult to change a | | | | Center of Gravity Issues |
| vertical engine to run horizontal. I have yet to see a | | | | The temptation when putting together a vertical engine |
| conversion kit, but even if there was it is still a lot of | | | | drive is to raise the engine up too high on the go kart. |
| work. | | | | This will cause the roll center of gravity to be too high. |
| The object here is to use the vertical engine the way it | | | | Additionally, the temptation is to put the engine where it |
| is with the following results: | | | | is convenient, ignoring the over all Center of Gravity |
| - Robust Drive System | | | | (CG) and usually putting the engine too far back on the |
| - No Engine Modifications | | | | go kart causing to have pretty serious steering |
| - Low Center of Gravity System | | | | problems. |
| - Compact System | | | | Compact System |
| - Easy Maintenance | | | | Having a compact system is pretty important from a |
| Robust Drive System | | | | packaging standpoint, as discussed in the prior |
| Having a robust drive system is so critical to a go kart. | | | | paragraph so that overall CG is properly taken into |
| What do I mean by robust exactly? Robust is a | | | | consideration. Compactness also keeps the weight |
| system that can handle hard acceleration, and sudden | | | | down. Typically the temptation is to throw a lot of |
| deceleration. Additionally, it does not over-heat and | | | | metal at the system and in the end add unnecessary |
| wear out in a couple of hours. | | | | weight which effects dramatically how well the go kart |
| "No Engine Modifications" is essential on various levels. | | | | can accelerate and reach top speeds. |
| As we discussed last time, vertical engines are | | | | Easy Maintenance |
| designed internally to run vertical. Changing them over | | | | And finally, easy maintenance is essential. No one |
| to horizontal creates quite a few problems, and most | | | | wants to have to reach way in and under and around |
| of them are related to proper engine function. | | | | to get at the oil drain plug, or to work with the clutch |
| Translation: the engine will overheat and blow a rod if | | | | system. Also consideration for which direction the |
| not switched over properly. | | | | muffler is pointing (obviously not at the back of the |
| From a safety standpoint, switching the engine to | | | | seat!) is pretty important. The carburetor and its linkage |
| horizontal would necessitate that the governor | | | | also need to be easily accessed especially for |
| mechanism be routed to a new carburetor mount. | | | | pre-storage preparations: ie carburetor drainage and |
| Most with average engine understandings, will not be | | | | cleaning. |
| able to route the governor properly. Governors are | | | | Next time we'll discuss the various drive systems and |
| essential for engine speed moderation and are | | | | their individual quirks... |