Thread: Trying to build Golf Cart ? (motor Ideas)

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Hi everyone ,

I realize you guys are use to doing alot more difficult task so figured it wouldnt take much to get an answer on this ?


I want to build a custom golf cart, i can fabricate the frame and do all the accesories myself but i dont no jack about engines and drive trains and all that.

I dont have much to work with right now , dont have an old golf cart to strip parts off of yet. But my first priority is decideing on a engine to push it.

I was thinking of using a motor off of an old motorcycle/jetski /snow mobile something like that? Ill use anything that will work and can fit into the budget.

If you were going to do this project and didnt have alot of money? What would you use for a engine?

I dont want to go electric by the way. Keep in mind its got to be somewhat quiet . I dont really care how fast it goes aslong as its in the 10-30 mph range . Torque is probably what im after. The faster the better though Its got to beable to push itself up a hill with 2 guys in it.


Most golf carts are between 650 - 900 lbs from what ive read, mine is ganna be ALOT lighter hopefully.


Im up for any ideas , this is my first real project and am useing it for a learning experience. However i would like to make it work.


I just want to go the most reliable way ,


Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

Use a 16hp motor from a lawnmower tractor.
without gear reduction youll be able to get the max power and speed from it.Just look at the go kart thatgo fast ans have only a 5.5 hp Honda lawnmower engine.

Think about that cheap way

A three wheel Cushman truckster has a driveline that would work good. All you would need to do is change the front end over to a two wheel front end and build a body. They have a three speed trans on the column, a regular clutch AND a cetrifugal clutch. The rear axle is like a miniature car rearend with a tourque tube driveshaft and a single leaf spring across the back. They also have hydraulic brakes on the rear.Hard to find a good used one cheap though. I have one that I was going to make into a miniature hot rod to cruise car shows in. All I need to find now is the time to do it.

If you go with a lawnmower engine get one with a centrifugal clutch to save some work building a clutch pedal mechanism.

I would try to find a cheap used snowmobile. They have a cetrifugal clutch. Some even have a disc brake on the pulley that you can adapt for the cart.

A motorcycle engine would require a clutch cable and some way to shift gears. You should avoid these problems if it's your first project.
AL

Thanks for the info, that will help me out alot.

If you guys have any more ideas please feel free to add to the thread, im trying to get as many ideas and as much info for this as i can.

Hi
Just look on the TLC channels for the program JUNKYARD WARS.
http://www.tlc.com look there for schedule.
If you dont know this program its a program that they have the order to build a thing ...mostly anything with junkyard scraps. It will give you lots of ideas to chec it

Good luck

Not sure what kind of body you're building but I saw this one last week at a car show. Thought it was kinda neat...
Larry

LOL,

Larry i think your over estimating my abilities.
That is really cool though.


Streets,

My golfin crew tends to kick back a few, dunno if it would be wise to have a 327 pushin are golf cart.

Besides, no way in h ell would I know how to get one of them to work. Im Starting with little motors first , hopfully this will lead the way to eventually building a hot rod.

Originally posted by jtb74
Hi everyone ,

I realize you guys are use to doing alot more difficult task so figured it wouldnt take much to get an answer on this ?


I want to build a custom golf cart, i can fabricate the frame and do all the accesories myself but i dont no jack about engines and drive trains and all that.

I dont have much to work with right now , dont have an old golf cart to strip parts off of yet. But my first priority is decideing on a engine to push it.

I was thinking of using a motor off of an old motorcycle/jetski /snow mobile something like that? Ill use anything that will work and can fit into the budget.

If you were going to do this project and didnt have alot of money? What would you use for a engine?

I dont want to go electric by the way. Keep in mind its got to be somewhat quiet . I dont really care how fast it goes aslong as its in the 10-30 mph range . Torque is probably what im after. The faster the better though Its got to beable to push itself up a hill with 2 guys in it.


Most golf carts are between 650 - 900 lbs from what ive read, mine is ganna be ALOT lighter hopefully.


Im up for any ideas , this is my first real project and am useing it for a learning experience. However i would like to make it work.


I just want to go the most reliable way ,


Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

Ok, I think I know a good setup

Get a 800cc Bombadier Snowmobile engine ( used in Skidoo's ), Pull the clutch off and, get a comet go kart torque converter, modify the spline to fit it to the engine. The rear axle can be gotten from a 2wd go kart ( 1wd won't work good ). The steering can be gotten from a parts golf cart. The frame and bodie is up to you. With this setup, you will have around 150 Hp and will be able to pull around 100-120 MPH depending on your tire size. That would'nt have much torque for 150 Hp but, will be enough to climb the hills you want with 2 people on it, it would be somewhere around 80 ft pnds in the engines high rpm powerband. These engines are reliable but, tend to foul spark plugs fairly quick so, just carry 6-8 NGK BR8ES spark plugs and a 13/16 spark plug wrench and when one foules, just pull it out and put a new one in but, make shure you finger tighten the plug and only torque the plug 1/4 turn, this is the proper way to put in spark plugs.

Originally posted by Streets
Use a 327 Mouse/454 Chevy RAT for power... When ya get bored golfin' ya can terrorize everyone else there, like I do with my "Chaise Lounge" rod...

http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...32475post32475

I'll cast my vote for a rocket engine. You could run it on #1 kerosene and it would double as a BBQ after yer done golfin'

DISCLAIMER: IF SOMBUDE' ACTUALLY USES THIS IDEA I WON'T BE HELD REPOSIBLE FER' THE BURNT' HOT DOGGIES

Originally posted by Streets
Correct way to install a spark plug: Screw in the spark plug finger tight until the gasket meets the cylinder head. Then seat the plug/gasket with a torque wrench as specified in the chart below.Chart is in (Ft.Lbs.)

Spark PlugType.......Thread Diameter........CI Head......Alum. Head

Flat seat type............18 ø mm..................25.3~32.5..25.3~32.5
(w/gasket)...............14 ø mm..................18.0~25.3..18.0~21.6
...................................12 ø mm..................10.8~18.0..10.8~14.5
...................................10 ø mm....................7.2~10.8........7.2~8.7
.....................................8 ø mm............................................5.8~7.2
Conical seat type........18 ø mm....................14.5~21.6...14.5~21.6
(w/o gasket)
Conical seat type.........14 ø mm...................10.8~18.0.....7.2~14.5
(w/o gasket)

I wuz just reading the installation instructions in my spare NGK BR8ES box. And how do you read that? I can't seem to figure it out. My method's better than my tech teacher's, his is " Tighten it till it feels right ". Oh, all those mm thread things are written in Japanese so, don't think he'll be able to follow that chart. Is that the chart used for car engines? I never use charts, I just use the 1/4 turn thing and, I'v never had a problem although a chart is the Official proper way to torque the spark plugs.