Solomon's Murray Explorer - Predator 212 Staged Build

[BLACK'98DSM]

BLACK'98DSM submitted a new DSM Profile :

Fun Little Toy


Read more about this vehicle here...

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Yesterday I just did a tune up for some quick power gains, better throttle response, and quicker clutch engagement. I actually moved the engine farther away from the rear pulley in order to achieve tightness in the clutch belt. I also decided to run a small mix of octane booster in some ethanol free gasoline. NGK plug, valve adjustment, oil change, and some paint to make it look good. This 4 hour project made this thing a whole lot more fun and attractive.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I climbed a 65-75 degree hill with it today. I was super impressed with the performance. I expected something to break out there within the first 5 minutes but it took 2 hours of hell and still nothing broke. I even flipped it upside down, got a couple feet of air, leveled a few trees, etc etc etc... This was the best adrenaline rush I've had in years. There were a few moments when I was sure I was bound to total it. But it held up better than I could have asked for. And some how my body held up too .

I will post some pictures os whatever damages there are tomorrow.

Dang that was fun................

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

You can see the dents on the front where I plowed through those trees . My friend says I was flying.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Trying to convert the torque converter and clutch belt to a straight clutch and chain.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Following to see how that works out Solomon!
My son says it is usually pretty easy. He said that he thinks you just remove the jackshaft plate and relocate the sprocket. He is getting pretty good with these fun toys!!! Proud of him, bought him 2 Predator 212's for Christmas!!! He was breaking in the motors this weekend and we completely forgot one was running for 3 hours! He said, well that one is broken in. We were both surprised it hadn't ran out of gas!
Here are a couple pictures of his toys

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Following to see how that works out Solomon!
My son says it is usually pretty easy. He said that he thinks you just remove the jackshaft plate and relocate the sprocket. He is getting pretty good with these fun toys!!! Proud of him, bought him 2 Predator 212's for Christmas!!! He was breaking in the motors this weekend and we completely forgot one was running for 3 hours! He said, well that one is broken in. We were both surprised it hadn't ran out of gas!
Here are a couple pictures of his toys
View attachment 585597 View attachment 585598 View attachment 585599

How did he place the throttle return spring when doing the governor delete? I drilled a hole in the pinch of my gas tank because I decided on a whim and wanted to take it for a spin. There's nothing wrong with how I did it, but I'm just curious how he did it because my way seems to be the only way to keep any tension on it.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I'll have him send me a picture. I thk we drilled a hole in the throttle arm and attached it to the starter cover but not positive.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Here is what I thought we did Solomon.......Trevor sent me pictures for you.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Here is what I thought we did Solomon.......Trevor sent me pictures for you.
View attachment 585736 View attachment 585737

I appreciate it Marty! I'll be sure to do that next time, I never did like the idea of drilling into my gas tank

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

@1990TSIAWDTALON

Hey Marty, I just took some measurements and ordered some parts! The distance between the axle and the torque converter sprocket is 10 1/8". And it just happens to be that the distance from the clutch shaft and the axle is also 10 1/8".
So this means that the stock chain can be re-used! All you need for this conversion is the centrifugal clutch.

The clutch I ordered is meant for a #41, #40 / 420 chains (which is the stock Murray chain). It is a 10 tooth. For now I just ordered a cheap Chinese one from Amazon, just until I'm sure the setup is right. Once I get everything setup and working right, then I'll buy one from GoPower Sports and use my new GoPro to take some launch videos and top speed pulls. I'll update once installed, although it may be a couple weeks! Headed to NC!


EDIT: I decided to go ahead and order 2 of the clutches from GoPower Sports. I don't see any flaws in my plan, and expect it to go smoothly. I'd much rather have quality clutches because the cheap ones have reviews saying that they burn up in an hour. $50 later I should have 2 quality clutches and a bad-ass setup!

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Ready to see some video footage!
You still running the 60 tooth rear sprocket? Trevor is asking

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Ready to see some video footage!
You still running the 60 tooth rear sprocket? Trevor is asking

I'm using the stock drive sprocket and stock chain. Literally just removing the old torque converter and clutch and bolting this new clutch directly on to the engine shaft. And moving the drive sprocket to the left side directly in line with the clutch sprocket, of course.

I bought 2 of these: https://www.gopowersports.com/10t-3-4-bore-centrifugal-clutch-41-420/. Tell Trevor it may be a couple weeks before I can get the results.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I will Sol, thanks! He likes to see what other Murray guys are doing and is on some kind of forum for them. He was wondering how well the take off would be and how long the clutches last, pushing a heavy cart like them. Our little Carter cart has the centrifugal clutch but its much lighter.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

This is the site that Trevor belongs to.
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=42397
We replaced the springs on the front suspension today. I shot a 1 minute video of us doing it since all we could find on line were struggles to install them. Thought I'd share with you what we did. His were wore out and compressed. We did both carts.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

This is the site that Trevor belongs to.
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=42397
We replaced the springs on the front suspension today. I shot a 1 minute video of us doing it since all we could find on line were struggles to install them. Thought I'd share with you what we did. His were wore out and compressed. We did both carts.

Thanks Marty! The clutches arrived at my house, but I wont be home until Wednesday evening. Maybe Thursday I'll use my new Christmas gift to record the process, and the results.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Let me know how you like the Gopro. I needed to buy one b4 Christmas to get the deal. Did you get the Hero 8? Wondering if I could just get a 7. Ready to see your video's Sol!

 

[95REGF150]

Man this takes me back. I did carts for years until I got into cars. I had 2 Yerf-Dogs with Tecumseh engines. One was full suspension with springs front and rear. Funny how the design of them hasnt changed much at all. They were exactly the same as your Murray with the CVT primary (always thought it was weird how they call it a torque converter). Mine had 5.5HP engines to start with and then I got 6.5HP ones. Once I learned to weld I put in an old honda 350cc dirt bike engine in the full suspension one. Motorcycle engines the gear lever is on your left foot. So on the cart the shifter was with your left hand like a right hand drive car. That was fun.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Takes you back......boy, I have to go WAY back. When I was a teenager (a couple years ago)...I put a Yamaha 100 twin on a frame and built a shifter and clutch pedal for it. It was fun to race cars in. We would be in a parking lot and wait on a car to come by then zoom with it or away from it in that thing. It was a blast. Now if my son asks if he can use my V45 Magna motor for his cart (750cc) I will say, no. But a smaller motorcycle engine does work good.
These predator motors (Honda clones) work pretty good and sure are reasonably priced. Easy to get more ponies out of also. We have to watch weather we are getting a hemi or non-hemi motor and prefer the hemi's.
Trevor just got one cart fixed up with a new motor and even has a cute little catch can on it now....check it out....it's about a 1/4th the size of a normal generic catch can for a car.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Let me know how you like the Gopro. I needed to buy one b4 Christmas to get the deal. Did you get the Hero 8? Wondering if I could just get a 7. Ready to see your video's Sol!

I got the Hero 7 to save a few bucks. But then I got about $100 woth of accesories and attachments to go with it.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I see the Hero 8 on sale as a bundle deal until tomorrow, I think. I looked at the 7 also and knew I would need "accessories" also, especially a good suction cup mount for the car. Trevor wants a head band mount for his "ventures" on the cart, so those are needed.
Santa didn't catch the hint this year and I got some things for Christmas but they could have just taken the cash for said gifts and helped me with what I have been talking about all year long......A GoPro...
Your senior citizen remark made me smile. My head says I am still 30, my body says......uh....NO you aren't.
Enjoy your Christmas Solomon!
Marty

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Enjoy your Christmas

Yoo too, Marty!

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I got everything taken off, and then ran out of time. I should be able to get the swap finished tomorrow, and some riding footage.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

And yes, the GoPro is being used!!!

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

This is taking a bit longer than I thought it would. Tonight I got the axle polished and the bearings reinstalled. I put the new clutch on the engine and realized that the chain was actually 4 links too short! But this is not an issue, as I can just drill some new engine mounting holes and still use the stock chain. I have some video on the way, it is uploading...

EDIT: Removing the torque converter plate makes the chain fit. No drilling required.
EDIT: here's the video