212 Golf Cart

I know this has 4 wheels but the build is in the spirit of what we do here. A friend gave me a fairly nice Ezgo cart that needed too much
to repair the electrics. Having a new 212 and torque converter in boxes its a no brainer. About a zillion of these have been done, but as usual
I opted for the hard way. Not wanting to build all the intricate structures most folks do I opted to use the case of the old motor. Required a lot of tedious, actually a little over an hour, cutting of the motor case. With the case opened I can run a drive shaft inside the case turning the original input shaft with Lovejoys being driven by a a chain from the Preddy. This keeps every thing in its original places drive wise. Much less complicated fab wise. And yes thats 1/2 steel I cut and hole sawed from the case. Speed calculations indicate a pretty good top end.

The brush holder now holds a flange bearing to support the shaft on the other end. Just waiting on Lovejoys now. Ignore the rusty parts, they will be handled.
 

Attachments

  • CDA53312-2F3A-4F9F-8DCF-41486B2250FC.jpeg
    CDA53312-2F3A-4F9F-8DCF-41486B2250FC.jpeg
    246.9 KB · Views: 3,244
  • 0419F322-77A7-4E3C-8F6B-9B51076A257D.jpeg
    0419F322-77A7-4E3C-8F6B-9B51076A257D.jpeg
    256.2 KB · Views: 168
  • 814352DD-163F-42C9-9955-EF763E9BA54C.jpeg
    814352DD-163F-42C9-9955-EF763E9BA54C.jpeg
    260.5 KB · Views: 165
  • 74B54E0D-0D4E-4E8F-B502-5E5A4FF888C9.jpeg
    74B54E0D-0D4E-4E8F-B502-5E5A4FF888C9.jpeg
    381.4 KB · Views: 169
  • FA168D7D-2D74-4B33-9BA6-AA3E80813E66.jpeg
    FA168D7D-2D74-4B33-9BA6-AA3E80813E66.jpeg
    363.6 KB · Views: 170
The width of the #40 chain, to clear it took 2 shims.
Just curious, but why did you put your drive sprocket between the driven pulley and the backing plate? Wouldn't it be easier to line up the driver and driven if the engine was mounted a little to the left and the sprocket outside the backing plate? There sure looks like there is enough room for it.
 
The sprocket between the driven and the plate is the stock design location and places it in the best location next to a bearing. This is a high loading situation weight wise not like a bike build. Running the sprocket inboard was not doable due to the chains angle to the rear axle Hitting the underside of the cylinder. Loading wise it would have been ok Being next to a bearing. Running the sprocket outboard of the driven was doable but I felt would put too much loading on the 5/8 shaft cantilevered that far out. So it is where it is as the best workable situation. All conversion builds are a collection of compromises.
 
Seeing it's a one off, you could use a support bearing on each end and have the sprocket located anywhere along the shaft. Of course, you would have to build backwards, mount the shaft with the bearings, then the TAV, then the engine mounts so it all lines up.

One good bonus of running support bearings, you never have to worry about it getting torqued out of position.
 
Major problem, it would have to be a unitized assembly to move with the engine for chain adjustment, unless a rather good idler system was used. Like a threaded adjuster, leaving the engine stationary, which Im considering some form of anyway.
 
So heres pics after the first test run. Not a lot to see. Its in the rough now. Will work out and idler and mount the dynamo, then start on a few upgrades for the cart. I must say I am surprised and pleased at how well it works. Thought it might be sluggish
with the very high 6:1 final drive, but thanks to the converter the take off ratio is 16+:1. Thats plenty low for the Preddy.
Its actually pretty quick on acceleration. I believe a top around 30 is possible, IF I get the brakes a bit better. The whole drive line is smooth and the throttle is very linear. Thought it might be too quick or notchy. Its actually quite pleasant to drive. Now its time to work out the details.
 

Attachments

  • 0555FE46-F53F-4307-9F58-994D5ACD28A8.jpeg
    0555FE46-F53F-4307-9F58-994D5ACD28A8.jpeg
    190.9 KB · Views: 129
  • C2CCC93D-4422-43AE-8829-7725EE34ED58.jpeg
    C2CCC93D-4422-43AE-8829-7725EE34ED58.jpeg
    166.4 KB · Views: 112
So heres pics after the first test run. Not a lot to see. Its in the rough now. Will work out and idler and mount the dynamo, then start on a few upgrades for the cart. I must say I am surprised and pleased at how well it works. Thought it might be sluggish
with the very high 6:1 final drive, but thanks to the converter the take off ratio is 16+:1. Thats plenty low for the Preddy.
Its actually pretty quick on acceleration. I believe a top around 30 is possible, IF I get the brakes a bit better. The whole drive line is smooth and the throttle is very linear. Thought it might be too quick or notchy. Its actually quite pleasant to drive. Now its time to work out the details.
TAVs make for wonderful take offs, 30 in a golf cart is pretty quick. You'll be looking to lower your center of gravity before too long, ha ha.
 
Back
Top