Rev Up Your Go Kart With These Engine Tuning Tips

By Miles Z Runeskowzer

Learning how to properly tune a small engine on a go kart is an important step in maintaining your kart. These engines, while small, can be tuned to quite a high level of performance if done correctly and with some planning. Most engines are of four main varieties, so let's take a look at them first.

The first type of go kart engine is very popular, and it has a bore made of aluminum - called a cool bore - with roller bearing on either side of the crankshaft. It's very high-performance, though a little rare and maybe not worth all the trouble it would take to get one. The second type can fill in just as nicely, and it features bore made of steel with the same roller bearing set up. Also, it can win just as many races.

The last two types are both single roller bearing examples, though one has a steel bore and the other an aluminum one. The bottom line is that all four of them can produce great performance as long as they're built up correctly and then maintained and tuned properly. Remember to always perform regular oil changes without fail. After the oil change, remove and inspect the engine's spark plug, taking care to look over the plug's electrode for carbon accumulation and scoring. Replace it, if this is present.

It's important to make sure the plug is gapped to required spacing between the electrode and the plug firing tip. Take a gapping tool and run it through to make sure the spacing is between.025 and.030. If it isn't, re-gap it and then reinsert it back into the engine. And don't forget to check the plug's wire for signs of cuts or any excessive wear. This can degrade engine performance significantly, if present.

The next step is to remove and inspect the air filter, and replace it if it's too dirty or clogged. If not, just take a lightly-powered compressed air blower and blow it out. It's also important that the fuel-air mixture going from the fuel line into the engine's carburetor be adjusted. Just use a screwdriver to adjust the needle valve in the carb. Tighten it in a clockwise direction until fully down and then reverse it for 2.5 turns. After that, most other tuning will revolve around using timing lights to determine bottom and top dead center on cam rotation. Just download a guide on how to do so and go from there.

Taking the time to learn how to tune your go kart engine is important. Keeping a properly maintained and race-tuned engine up and running will help contribute to the enjoyment many people derive from racing these little motors. All it takes is a little time and patience to have your go kart engine running like a top. - 21396

About the Author:

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