Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Small engine transformation, briggs stratton, yardmachine

Question
Marc,  

I have a 5.5 Hp Yardmachine Lawnmower.  The engine is maufactured by Briggs & Stratton.

My question is, can I remove this engine and covert it to a go kart engine by installing a clutch and chain?  The engine is fine, but I am getting a new lawnmower and also plan on building a go kart for my kids.

Thanks

Jeff


Answer
The only problem is if this is a lawnmower engine, the crankshaft is likely vertical.  It is easier to adapt a horizontal crankshaft engine (from a snowblower or tiller) to a go-kart.  That can be accomplished very easily and the parts should be readily available through a dealer.  If you have a vertical crankshaft engine, you would need to send the output power through a gearbox to change the direction to facilitate alignment with a horizontal drive axle on a go-kart or make a mounting system for the vert. engine and change the connecting rod to get the correct splasher for the oiling system (if it is different than a horiz. engine of the same horsepower.  You could contact a Briggs dealer or their website for more specific information.  For ease of installation, you may want to consider finding a horizontal crankshaft engine instead.  Hope this helps.