Weed eater engine conversion

u joint

where did you guys get the u-joints with the 3/4" bore? i purchased one from mcmaster carr and its a block and pin type, probably not the strongest. any body have any recomendations?

JD

 

Mcmaster's does carry the high torque needle bearing style, item number 6452K1. Or try your local farm & home store. Around here we have Tractor Supply, Feldman's and Orchlin's, and all of them carry them.

 

I have a Barnegat Bay sneakbox ,weight 135lbs.I hunt the Gulf coast marshes around Mobile Ala.I've been looking @ The rickshaw motor because I have to run long distances through mud flats & submerged vegitation(Millfoil).I've never run a mudmotor.I'm concerned about the low HP (1.5HP)I don't mind pushing but I'd like to get my moneys worth.Darryl shared the Minilong-tail plans W/ me...Ican build one if Ihave to.What IS YOUR EXPERIENCE?Is 1.5 HP too low?What is the HP of the 52cc 2-stroke?I like the fact that the Rickshaw has a transmition so you can take advantage of full power available.What's the point of going up to 52cc if you can't get full power? Another consideration w/ me is that I need to take the motor off & stick it below decks to get hid real well.The Rickshaw can easily do this (& better than wrestling w/ a 5HP outboard like I'm doing now!)My deck -to -hull clearance is 12" aft & 15" fwd.How big is the 52cc motor? Thanks for the help!

 

MADDOG, about the size of a small domestic sized chainsaw (with a 12" bar?) or one of those small "wind rakes" that you can carry in one hand.... should give 2.5 to 5 hp at full scream

 

MADDOG -

The 52cc motors will give you about 2 - 2.2 hp. You can get more than that by doing some simple mods that John Oneal has posted soewhere in this thread.

I made a duropower unit with the 52 cc motors and it does all i ask it to do. It will go through weeds but I don't think I would try to use it to go through mud. I don't think this motor, nor the Rickshaw, would od good in mud.

With the right prop, you do use all the power the 52cc motor has to offer. I am at full throttle the whole time and the motor perorms well.

Also worth noting. The motor I bought has a heavy duty clutch compared to some of the other motors out there. This helps me use the motor to its full abilities.

Finally, it is easy enough to design your own handle so that it is as easy as the Rickshaw to take a part and hide.

You found the right page to build your own. Many on here have done so and are quite pleased with the results

Mark

 

JDBuckshot ; www.surpluscenter.com has 3/4" X 3/4" bore 3/16" keyed needle bearing u-joints rated to 12 hp for $30. Beavertail MM also offers theirs at $55.

Ripped-off : That is a fine looking trio of home-built`s. I am particularly impressed with the functional simplicity of your frame design. It is light yet strong in it`s design. Using a sealed roller bearing for the top bearing of the boom is a great idea. Did it require you to use bearing shaft for the drive shaft, or did you reduce the shaft size yourself to get it to fit through the bearing ? Do the commercial models in this hp range use thrust bearings ? Or have you just one-upped them?
You have done a great job and continue to lead the way. Thanks for sharing
the pics. If you do post up a tutorial on the 6.5 build I hope you will post it up on this forum also. Well done.

 

I second that

I too would sure appreciate a tutorial on this thread as to the build of the 6.5 hp motor. You are the reason my 53 cc motor exists and I too would like to build a bigger motor but need a little hand holding. John O'Neal can build his own as he is a talented individual, me, I'm not so smart. If I see how it is done, I can build the first one.

I need a project for the summer. Last winter and summer I did the little motor, I need another porject or the wifey will find something for me. Can' have that. I'd prefer building a motor over re-doing a bathroom/bedroom, etc... anytime.

Mark

 

Mark Wo Thankx for the info.I guess you don't see the need for a transmission.Rickshaw claimes that it improves torque to that of a 3.5HP.I can see what you mean about running through mun.It looks like more 'abuse' than use.

 

If you go up from a 31cc moter to the 53cc the rpms slow down a lot. I dont think the tranni is necessary but John O neil would no know best, he just made one that is geared down.

I 3rd the tutorial. Look what happened when you did it on this page. People went nuts with it. Everyone put a different spin on it and we came out with some REALLY creative stuff. I think the scooter moters are the way to go for those smaller units. I look forward to building a big one in my garage this summer. Not cause I really need one yet but just cause it's fun and like any guy I need more power behind my boat...grrr. lol

 

motor

Heres my motor, a little different frame design, but i wanted it tough, weight in at 70lbs.

 

Buckshot, that is a nice rig. Questions. The top frame member design is to prevent damage to shaft when you strike objects with skeg or prop ? Is the top member attached to engine ? What is your thrust bearing set up ? Which u-joint did you use ? Size of shaft ? Shaft material ? Shaft length and angle ? Prop size ? Wannabuilders wannaknow ! More Pics . Have you wet it yet ??

 

wet

yes i wet it when i got the new prop. on a 12' jon it ran about 12 mph.

shaft size is 3/4"

i used 3 bronze bushings

and a block and pin u-joint that is rated it 500rpms. it burned up after about 30 min or test driving. other than that every thing went great.

The top bar is welded to a plate that is bolted to the engine block. it is not really designed to protect the shaft, but to keep the shaft in alignment with the engine. without the top bar it will bend if you put alot of pressure on the end of the shaft. its bent in that manner because its easy to grab that way, its stonger, and less welding, plus itgives me plenty of room to get to the grease fitting.


JD

 

Starting build with Honda GXH50 4 stroke motor. Looking for ideas about mating shaft to motor? Tring not to use clutch.

 

Here ya go, with or without keyway.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/115/1154/=g2fzq

 

Thanks that will be very helpful. Thinking of maybe using a clutch if I can make one fit. I have a Rick Shaw Motor unit on a Marsh Rat boat. I does well. Trying to get a little more power for the marsh mud that we have down here on the coast of Louisiana. May try to use Rick Shaw's new 3 blade 7 inch prop. If you have any other suggestions they would be deeply appreciated. I'll send pics. Later in build.