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rokon 820 for a kart
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:52 pm
by kevin sirois
can u take a rokon and put on a kart .what parts do i need to make this run like a kart motor would like to run it on race fule like vp . and where do i buy a tuned pipe .thanks
Re: rokon 820 for a kart
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:36 pm
by Mike Reller
A Rokon 820 is a West Bend 820.
Re: rokon 820 for a kart
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 4:45 pm
by kevin sirois
i know that mike but i want to know if the parts are the same like head or ingnitoin carb size reeds riston rods i think the rokon is rated at 8hp and the kart is like 12hp i want to know what parts i need to chang to make this thing run like a kart motor . also has any one put a mikuni round slide carb on one of these thanks
Re: rokon 820 for a kart
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:34 pm
by ted johnson
This is an industrial engine, not a full race Italian 135cc engine such as a BM-130 or a B-Bomb. A slide carb is a TOTAL waste of money unless you get the engine race modified by an expert like Dave Bonbright. Find a nice aftermarket GEM V-12 manifold and run a single 34mm DIAPHRAGM Mikuni, a Tillotson diaphragm HR or dual Tillotson HL's, or stick with a single Tillotson HL carb for a while. I'm not sure which PTO end the Rokon crank has, but you ought to be able to find a normal dry kart clutch to suit-especially if the crank is 5/8" to 9/16" stepped like the standard West Bend kart unit. Jim Donovan at Max Torque can set you up with a great dry clutch. You don't need an oil clutch. Don't bother with putting an expansion chamber on the engine until you have become thoroughly familiar with the way it runs. Use an open exhaust such as an Azusa or GEM header if your track allows the added noise, or a box muffler such as a GEM, Reed or Horstman. Most vintage karters do not run an expansion chamber on an 820 at all. Run the engine on ordinary pump gasoline and a good synthetic lubricant such as Klotz R-50. After you've become familiar with the engine's needs, you can get the carb(s) modified by a reputable carb shop such as EC Distributors and switch to methanol. Remember that a modified runs hotter and is more temperamental to tune, though the addition of alcohol helps in the cooling. The 820 is a chrome bore engine, and has less chance of siezing than does an engine with an iron liner, HOWEVER, once you DO mess up the bore, it can't be bored oversize like a McCulloch can.
Re: rokon 820 for a kart
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:49 pm
by Brian Thomas
Dont hold me to it but I think they put a thicker head gasket in the Rokon to drop the comp .
Brian
Re: rokon 820 for a kart
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:05 pm
by kevin sirois
ted thanks for the help so the difrence is only the carb and the manifold i build a lot of vintage snowmobile drag and oval motors.so i will do some port work and have it replated new piston and all. i have tons of mikuni carbs and parts so tuning will all be done on my dyno .not going to race puting in a rupp dart just to buzz around the streets what gearing combo would u recomend for flying around the streets
Re: rokon 820 for a kart
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:30 pm
by Andy Symons
The 820 is a torque-monster relative to the higher winding Macs and works very well for both exiting tight turns and decent speeds with a 6.90 or so. If you're out in an area with fewer & wider turns and longer straights go up to about a 6.20. With a 10 tooth Max Torque and the lighter springs you're looking at about a 4000 lockup. The orange springs will get you into the 5500-6000 range. Ofcourse, as pointed out, you need the step shaft to use the newer Max Torques - the newer style billet product is a very, very good clutch for these engines and goes for just under $200. Jim is a great guy and builds a superior product I cannot say enough good things about. If you don't have the 5/8-9/16 shaft though, you either need to find one (that's easy) or go with a different clutch.
Have you examined the bore yet? I ask because I'm wondering why you would want to bother replating if the bore is OK. For a fun kart application, unless the chrome is damaged badly, these things are pretty bullet-proof, just do your porting, re-ring, do the seals and bearings and save your money. If it's damaged badly and needs repair before replating and is just a run of the mill stock block, I'd look for another one - there are plenty out there and even a new one can be had for about $185.
If you want to pipe it, some show up on eBay or forums but also Comet has a special order pipe for the WB that some have bad mouthed but in my experience actually works very well with the 820, especially on methanol. You need a decent length flex on it though.
And, of course, it's none of my business, but in my humble opinion that Dart belongs on a track with other vintage karts. Best wishes and have fun. Andy
Re: rokon 820 for a kart
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:54 pm
by kevin sirois
andy thanks for the info i dont have the motor yet its on its way so i dont know on the bore but if its good i will port and run it i raced karts when i was a kid so i might race it but iam in ct no place around here to race vintage plus i grass drag sleds in the sumer and oval race in winter so my time is limeted.if any one else has any tips that would be good thanks again what a grate sit
Re: rokon 820 for a kart
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:20 pm
by david a luciani
Hi kevin,
if you live in ct. you need to contact me as i live in new haven ct..
i have a few karts and like visitors.
on tracks:
theres a track that tri state owns that allows us to run.
there's also a couple of pa. tracks that are close.
i have a trailer and or truck you could hitch a ride in.
there's also a track on long island in a parking lot and on in stamford ct. early spring and late fall.
dave

Re: rokon 820 for a kart
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 10:03 pm
by Alan Warn
King Dave has a habit of picking up any old hitch hiker with a vintage kart, especially if they are into vintage race sleds too.
