Modding a centrifugal clutch

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stuffbuilder
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Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:19 pm

I need some help modding thr centrifugal clutch on a chainsaw i bought. On the left is how its currently set up; the driven part of the clutch sits on a bearing on the shaft between the driving part of the clutch and the engine body. However, I want to change it to the setup on the right so I can attach a separate sprocket to the driven part. I know I could simply weld a plate over the open side and attach the sprocket to that, but then I would never be able to take it apart again and the driving part (which gets hot) would be completely enclosed. Suggestions?
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Technician1002
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Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:59 pm

If you take the clutch off the shaft and turn it around, it would be problem solved. In turning the clutch you will want to take the clutch shoes off and turn them around too due to the apparent reversed rotation.

Can the clutch be removed from the shaft easily and put back on with the other side out?
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stuffbuilder
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Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:16 pm

I might be able to do that but then the driven part wouldn't be attached to anything. Another option would be to extend the entire clutch out away from the engine so there would be a gap big enough to put the new sprocket in without having to flip the whole thing around. I just figured extending the shaft would be a much tougher job
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Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:40 pm

stuffbuilder wrote:I might be able to do that but then the driven part wouldn't be attached to anything. Another option would be to extend the entire clutch out away from the engine so there would be a gap big enough to put the new sprocket in without having to flip the whole thing around. I just figured extending the shaft would be a much tougher job
A shimming bushing and longer center bolt. As long as the shaft isn't tapered going into the clutch, some saws are, some are not.

Do online searchs for a conversion kit. To use a saw engine on a go-kart.
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