Building a starter for a vintage racing kart can be a simple and fun project. In the beginning of karting, the majority of racing karts were direct drive, requiring a push start. In the early 1960′s, engine clutches became popular and the preferred method of starting engines was to use an electric starter with a fan belt pulley system. A fan belt pulley was bolted to the engine flywheel, which could be engaged by a fan belt driven by an external electric motor, usually powered by a 12 volt car battery. Most karters bought or built electric starter dollys, which looked a lot like those 2 wheeled hand carts used today for moving large objects.

The electric motors used on the early racing kart starters, were usually Ford tractor motor starters. These Ford 8N/9N starters were bullet proof 6 volt electric starters, with an extended shaft that allowed easy mounting of a fan belt pulley. Powering one of these 6v starters with a 12 volt battery provided some excellent starting punch! … and those starters easily handled the higher voltage.

Here are some Ford 6v starter motors for sale… imagine strapping one to a small cheap moving dolly, with an inexpensive car battery at the bottom. Now add a soleniod, switch, and some cables ….

As an alternative, a more powerful gear reduction handheld starter can be built. A more modern automotive starter can be used, which includes a gear reduction unit for extra torque. These starters also have integrated solenoids (one less part to buy for your project), so only a heavy duty switch is needed, in addition to the battery cables and battery. Below is a for sale listing of these type of starter motors, usually a high quality used or rebuilt one can be purchased for under $35.

Components:
- Honda Accord/Prelude gear reduction starter motor with integrated solenoid (see listing for sale below)
- Heavy duty push button spring loaded switch (NAPA $11)
- 3″ OD, 1/2″ ID pulley (hardware store $7)
- Scrap steel, tubing, whatever makes for a useable handle
- V-Belt (hardware store – $8)
- Long 6′+ battery cables (NAPA $11 each). For a more flexible copper cable, try an arc welder ground lead (welding supply house)

There is a slow motion example of a vintage kart being started with a dolly type electric starter, at the beginning of this vintage karting event video…

In the early 1970′s, “plug on” type electric starters became popular in karting, eliminating the use of a fan belt (which would normally go flying after starting a kart). Modern TAG kart classes have on kart electric starters, the acronym TAG stands for “Touch And Go” … a very simple way to get going, but not as exciting as a squealing fan belt firing off a open header vintage kart motor!