01-12-2023, 08:54 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-12-2023, 09:02 AM by Jim Donovan.)
(01-11-2023, 09:43 PM)Lee Arnold Wrote: First of all -thanks for letting me join!
I am 64 years old so the stuff on this forum is what I only could dream of in the late sixties and early seventies. I had a homemade kart that needed more power or a jackshaft-or both!
I'm hoping somebody can either help me or send me in the right direction.
My neighbors husband passed a couple years ago -he was a severe hoarder -and he was known for starting projects. One project was an ultralight helicopter -w found the basket and rotors pretty fast. A few months ago, after major progress had been made in the clean- up I came across what I assumed was a McCulloch kart engine that John was going to use for his ultralight -so I let the kid down the road take it- until I figured out what it was. It's never been used -looks like just a factory start up from the spark plug. No carbon anywhere -and it has NEVER been apart. If this valuable I would like to get a fair price for his wife -if not it goes on my mantle. I figure somebody may collect, or perhaps the karters used them after the kart engines were no longer made. Or perhaps somebody knows somebody who is into vintage ultralights. Personally, I would totally disassemble it prior to using it -one black spot on a bearing race or ball or journal leads to spalling really quick!
Here are some pics -it is spotless inside and out.
And a technical question -I have the carb apart. There was a black piece of crud that I assumed was sponge rubber 50 years ago -I see that it is a capillary plug. What do you guys to replace it. Not sure what it does since it is between intake manifold vacuum and crankcase pressure.
Thanks again for letting me join -if you want to boot me because I am past my kart years, I understand!
Most likely it is NOT a kart engine because for the application he bought it for it has a 3/4" crankshaft. Kart engines had a taper crank. Because of the 3/4" crank it is difficult to get the right gearing needed for a kart but that isn't to say the engine has no value. An engine builder can eaily replace the crank IF he can find the taper crank to put in it. What is it worth? At least $600 to $800 dollars as is but with a taper crank then it is worth at least $1,000 if it is what you describe -brand new never been used.